“Tis the season to be jolly” is how it used to be, but now it looks like it needs to be rephrased to ‘Tis the season to be safe’ – a reminder to all. Yes, the pandemic restrictions have been lifted in our country and many parts of the world. But we’re not safe from the COVID-19 virus despite reaching herd immunity.
According to Nature’s poll, 89% of scientists felt that SARS-COV-2 was either very likely or likely to become an endemic virus1. More than one-third of the respondents to Nature’s survey thought that it would be possible to eliminate SARS-CoV-2 from some regions while it continued to circulate in others. “Eradicating this virus right now from the world is a lot like trying to plan the construction of a stepping-stone pathway to the Moon. It’s unrealistic,” says Michael Osterholm, an epidemiologist at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis1.
Scientists predict COVID will become endemic over time but there will still be sporadic outbreaks where it gets out of control. The transition from pandemic to endemic will likely play out differently in different locations around the world2.
Knowing that this virus is here to stay, we have to be cautious enough to keep ourselves and our family safe. This disease spreads through gatherings and we may be tempted to leave our core bubbles to visit others during holidays and religious celebrations. Christmas is not exceptional. However, there are still ways to celebrate it with your family without compromising all the fun factors.
But, how? Check these out!
1. Avoid Spreading Virus
To be a responsible human being means the person does not only care for himself/herself but others as well. For instance, you want to visit your family this Christmas – you have been vaccinated, you did your COVID-19 test and it’s negative, so all good.
Well, think again as you may not know if the strangers standing next to you while you do your grocery shopping or dining are virus spreaders. Today, there are many people under home quarantines with no tag or whatsoever. So it’s hard to know if they are affected or might be a carrier.
It is always practical to follow the government’s SOPs on masking up, practicing social distancing, and frequent hand washing or hand sanitisation. Remember to always be aware of the precautions you should take when meeting your family members so that you can help to reduce the spread of the virus during the festive period.
2. Avoid Big Get-togethers
When you gather indoors, limit the number of your guests. It’s best to have just you and your immediate family and close friends to be invited. You can also make it a requirement for all your guest to self-test prior to your gathering. That way, everyone who attends will have a peace of mind and can enjoy the dinner or party without having to be worried or paranoid.
Certainly, an outbreak of COVID is not the kind of Christmas gift anyone would wish for.
You can also opt for an outdoor family gathering if you have a nice spacious backyard so that social distancing can be maintained throughout the time while having a fun family get-together.
3. Avoid Crowded Restaurants
Many families love to dine out especially on Christmas Eve right after church mass or service. It is one of the peak times of the year, so be smart to choose the right restaurants that feel safe for your family.
Or even better, simply order for home delivery and enjoy the same food from your favourite restaurant and dine in safely at home. Nowadays, many restaurants are offering a variety of dine-in, takeaway or home delivery holiday feast packages so just browse through and pick your favourite.
4. Avoid Jam-Packed Holiday Spots
Where is the best place to holiday over Christmas with your family? Although the government has lifted all local travel restrictions, it’s best that the safety of our loved ones is always on our top priority list.
So, you may want to choose a less busy holiday getaway to keep away from the crowd by booking a staycation at one of the secluded yet idyllic destinations. You can also explore various camping sites, hiking trails, or eco-friendly retreat villas. End of the day, family bonding is what matters most, don’t you agree?
5. Avoid Busy Malls
Christmas is also about exchanging gifts with your family and friends. As you plan for Christmas gift shopping, consider purchasing your gifts online, as there are more options and better deals available. However, you may need to start your shopping sooner rather than later to avoid potential issues and delays.
If time constraints, consider buying an e-gift card that can be used anytime, any day and it will be a fun experience that they’ll remember for years to come.
6. Avoid Poor Ventilation Space
If you’re gathering indoors, you might want to consider opening some windows and doors in your house. Proper air ventilation can be just as important as all the other measures described above at stopping the spread of COVID.
It’s best to bring in as much fresh air into your home. Consider getting an indoor ventilator or air purifier if you are unable to open multiple doors and windows to allow more fresh air to move inside.
7. Avoid Bad Hygiene
Young children are more likely to have poorer hygiene and often struggle to obey them. So, it’s always advisable to keep an eye on your child as they’re prone not to wash hands after using the toilet, or touch dirty surfaces or even while handling food.
Encourage them to frequently sanitise or wash their hands before and after touching any surfaces, toys or food. This will keep your entire household safe and sound while enjoying the family bonding and the joy of Christmas.
The safest Christmas is definitely within one’s household, so stay safe this holiday season and enjoy your Christmas. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!
References:
1 https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00396-2
2 https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/09/covid-pandemic-epidemic-disease-coronavirus/
