Experts: Put your Christmas plans aside. There are also advice, including the most important one

We will experience Christmas 2021 and the entire Christmas and New Year season again in the realities of a pandemic. Probably not the last time. We still have some time until this year’s holiday season, but scientists are already recommending that we “postpone their planning for as long as possible”. For those who cannot do it, they have important safety advice, including the most important one.

1. In «The Guardian» prof. Susan Michie of University College London advises to “postpone holiday planning for as long as possible”
2. For those who cannot do this, experts advise to remember about risk-reducing measures: testing, reducing contact before meeting with loved ones, applying the DDM principle, airing rooms
3. Experts also remind you of the most important thing we can do to protect our loved ones and people who are more at risk of getting sick. It’s about getting vaccinated against COVID-19
4. More important information can be found on the TvoiLokony home page

Christmas in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. What could it look like?

Everyone is probably aware that Christmas will be “different” again this year, that we will experience it again in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a recent interview with PAP, the health minister reassured: – It is unlikely that we will have Christmas disrupted by covid and additional restrictions. Four days later, on November 22, he said on Radio Zet that if there was no significant decline in infections by mid-December, more severe restrictions are possible. This is called black scenario – unlikely, but – as the minister pointed out – must be taken into account.

Dr inż. Franciszek Rakowski from the Epidemiological Model Group predicts that around Christmas the average daily number of infections will probably be around 20. Moreover, in his opinion, during the Christmas season we will face the culmination of hospitalization. – We will then need approx. 30 thousand. beds for COVID-19 patients, the scientist admits.

The difficult situation related to the coronavirus exists practically throughout Europe. The Guardian recently wrote that the continent is “returning to the dark days of the pandemic”. More on this in the article: “Europe is returning to the dark days of the pandemic”. What’s happening on the continent?).

American health specialists are also concerned. The reason is, among others the fact that only 58% are fully vaccinated. population. “It’s a recipe for the further spread of the pathogen,” wrote CNN. Mike Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, notes that: “Pandemic fatigue wins over the seriousness of the virus itself.” It is important not to give up – he emphasized.

Expert: Postpone holiday planning. What if you can’t?

“There’s no point in celebrating Christmas and burying your friends in January and February,” said Gabriel Scally, professor of public health at the University of Bristol a year ago. And although today the situation is different, among others because we have vaccinations against COVID-19, these words are worth remembering and just being careful. What does it mean? In «The Guardian» prof. Susan Michie of University College London says bluntly to “postpone holiday planning for as long as possible.” – The current situation is unstable and can change quickly – for better or worse – explained the scientist, referring to British realities.

Those who cannot give up their plans and intend to visit and accept their relatives should remember how to reduce the risk by ensuring the best possible safety for themselves and their guests.. As he notes, “they cover all the activities that we considered last year”. It is mainly about:

– minimizing the likelihood of infection, for example by testing or prior contact restriction;

– organizing internal spaces to be as safe as possible, it is primarily about adequate ventilation, reducing the number of guests and thus crowding, using protective masks and disinfecting hands;

1. What protection do masks give? There is a new study. As it turned out?

Safe Christmas 2021. The most important rule

Experts also remind you of the most important thing that we can do to protect our loved ones and people who are more at risk of getting sick. It is about vaccinating against COVID-19 and, if possible, taking a booster dose.

However, Dr Elise Paul of the Institute of Epidemiology and Health at University College London recalls: “ While the primary benefit of the vaccine is that it significantly reduces the likelihood of severe illness and death, even those who have been fully vaccinated may become ill and therefore transmit the virus. ” she said. – The best advice I can give is to continue taking the recommended precautions: testing, proper room ventilation, thorough and frequent hand washing or disinfection. These are especially important when family and friends are present who may be more vulnerable.

1. A doctor explains why vaccinated people get sick and die from COVID-19

Finally, it is worth quoting the words of the WHO regional director for Europe, Hans Kluge: “The message has always been: follow it all,” he said. – Vaccines are doing what they promised: they prevent severe COVID-19, especially mortality. But they are our most powerful tool only when used together with preventive measures. Used properly and consistently, they allow us to live on, they do not deprive us of freedom, but they provide it.

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