Christmas in a Pandemic

 COVID-19 and the holidays: Have a COVID-safe celebration.

2020 Christmas holidays 

Having a hard time getting through with the Christmas festivities this year? Especially in the COVID-19 period and the imperils it could bring.

Family and friends coming together during this time of the year is a pleasant experience to remind us of the love and hope we can share. Missing out on such a great time of merry can be a quite regrettable one. 

As we get ready to get into the festive season, it's important we consider how we can go about this year's celebration in a COVID-safe way.

Here's how you and your household can enjoy a safe, healthy, COVID-19 free holiday even in the pandemic.

1. Adhere to all COVID-19 safety protocols 

Let's begin by recapping on the key things we know about the spread of the coronavirus.

First, we know close contact is the major risk factor of the spread of the virus, this is because droplet-spread plays a role in the transmission; when an infected person coughs or sneezes, infectious droplets can land on you or in the environment. Then if you touch your face, or nearby contaminated surfaces, you could introduce the virus into your body by touching your mouth or rubbing your eyes.

Stay safe at home: If are feeling unwell, stay at home. This applies to you and your guests. If you are hosting and you’re unwell, look for another venue, or cancel. If you have to travel, minimize the distance you travel. Wear a face mask to cover your mouth and nose when you go out.

Ensure social distancing: Plan for an outdoor gathering — the risk of transmission is significantly lower outdoors. If you’re hosting a gathering indoors, dine in your biggest room, or spread everybody out across a few rooms.

Open your windows and doors to let in the fresh air and, importantly, increase ventilation.

Avoid crowded seating at the table. Set up a few extra tables and chairs to space people out.

Practise Proper Hand hygiene: Encourage your guests to perform frequent hand hygiene. Stock up on hand sanitisers and soaps and have them readily available in all rooms and outside, especially if people are helping themselves to food. 

Provide bins and ensure proper disposal of used tissue paper and masks.

Ensure a safe environment: Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces e.g. door knobs and TV remote.

2. Food and drinks

Eating healthy is a very natural way to stay your best this COVID period. Eat a balanced meal to boost your immunity and drink responsibly. If you're feeling particularly merry, you may be tempted to turn up on the celebration but keep in mind to do everything in moderation. Food and alcohol can be enjoyed in moderation but when taken to the extreme, it can become detrimental to your health and safety.

3. Keep the balance

Nothing has been normal this year and our Christmas and New Year celebrations may also need a bit more thought. We all have endured a year of rules and recommendations to protect ourselves and others. We might need to come up with some sensible and practical compromises in how we celebrate.

Social gatherings do present a significant risk — close, prolonged contact with people, often in confined spaces. 

We definitely deserve to have some fun over the festive season, and with COVID still in our midst, we’re only in a good place to celebrate safely if we adhere strictly to all protocols and preventive measures and it’s still important we stay vigilant during this period, so we start 2021 on the right note.

🎄Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year with good health and more wealth.🎄

Nurse Emefa Anet
Efa Care - Your health, your wealth
efacare101@gmail
0241102402/0205223696