Such a Christmas and New Year has not been seen in the recent history of mankind, and it will be remembered for a long time for its restrictions. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, this year’s Christmas and New Year’s celebrations will be very unusual. The traditional gathering of close and distant relatives of all ages under the current circumstances is an ideal environment for the spread of infection. One of the surest ways to keep our loved ones from getting sick is to not celebrate with them. This year, the World Health Organization recommends using technology to celebrate the holiday virtually. But what if you decided to party in real life instead of on the Internet?
The World Health Organization recommends celebrating the holidays virtually this year. Try to keep the number of guests to a minimum, especially if you are hosting people who are not part of your close social circle. The less time they spend together, the lower the risk of infection. “In times like these, it is better to get together with family and leave celebrations with relatives or groups of more than ten people for later,” recommends Juliana Lapa, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Brazil. “Short-term visits, social distancing, and masks are more appropriate in the current situation than regular meetings,” she says.
Her colleague Esteban Urbano emphasizes that the elderly, as well as people with obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and lung disease, should avoid crowds. “These categories of people are the most isolated and need the most care, but they are also the ones who need to be the most careful,” says Dr. Urbano. Even the slightest breeze disperses droplets that carry the virus. Therefore, a garden, patio, or large porch is a better place to celebrate. If guests are gathered indoors, open as many windows as possible.
Specialists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States also recommend using a fan that can be attached to a window. This method improves air circulation in the room without creating a draft. Experts recommend wearing masks at all times and taking them off only when eating. Because the coronavirus is spread through respiratory droplets when we cough, laugh or talk, they also recommend not playing loud music so guests don’t have to shout over the noise, which releases more droplets into the air.
None of the above measures eliminate the need to maintain social distance between people who do not live at the same address. The feast is the most risky part of the celebration because people get close to each other and take off their masks. Do not touch the same dishes or share utensils. Specialists recommend that people do not all sit at the same table, but rather in families or groups from the same social circle (social bubble, as the British call it). If your home has room for multiple tables, this is the perfect option.
Avoid emotional discussions at the table, so to speak, to avoid spitting saliva. “It is very important to be careful when around people who do not want to wear masks. People without symptoms can spread the virus and not even suspect it,” warns Jacques Steinbach, a hospital infectious disease specialist in São Paulo. This is the best thing you can do to prevent illness. But if you really need to go somewhere, your own car is much better than public transportation, where hundreds of people are riding with you. If you are not in solitary confinement and still plan to celebrate Christmas with company, try taking a test a few days before the celebration. Watch yourself carefully for symptoms of Covid-19, and if you feel that something is wrong, do not put your friends and family at risk – stay home.
For older people, it is especially important not to be alone during the holidays, but they also need to take extra care of themselves. “It is very important to take even the slightest symptoms seriously. Many people may not pay attention to a slight cough or runny nose, but it’s no joke and even with mild symptoms you should stay home,” says Dr. Julian Lapa. After months of separation, close people will want to relax and rest in each other’s company, but they shouldn’t relax too much. Especially if there is alcohol on the holiday table, which dulls alertness. According to Estevão Urbano of the Brazilian university, the indulgences that everyone wants to give themselves during Christmas can lead to unjustified deaths after the holiday. “It is like losing a game in overtime. The vaccine is already close. We have to make an effort and be very careful this Christmas,” says the scientist.