Preparing for the 2021 Christmas Pandemic

The Pandemic Continues into Christmas 2021

We fluctuated with pandemic restrictions in 2021. The COVID vaccine is very promising, and infection rates dropped big time! But there are too many unvaccinated folks infecting the planet, so a COVID Winter Surge was inevitable. Booster vaccines were in arms during the Fall season, but breakthrough infections continued as there was just too much pushback from anti-vaxxers. Right at Thanksgiving, the Omicron variant evolved which is highly transmissible with morbidity and infection rates increasing before the Winter season. So, beware of Christmas 2021 gatherings.

COVID-19 is a dangerous respiratory infection that is transmitted indoors, so Christmas dinner hosts may want to seriously and strategically plan Yuletide gatherings.

Remember, COVID-19 is a dangerous respiratory infection that is highly transmissible especially now that the Omicron variant rates are increasing. Hence, hosts must not simply consider the risk of a guest, but also the contacts of the contacts of each guest. This is complicated and extensive!

It’s the unknown status of the contacts of guest that are problematic!

There are several options for Christmas 2021 gatherings. Here are my thoughts:

1. Know the vaccination status of your guests. Remember, fully vaccinated is having both vaccines and the booster at least 2 weeks before the event.

Know the vaccination status of your invited guests.

2. Request current COVID testing of guests. Forget about it! Not going to happen. This is too intrusive. This will result in resentment of the host.

3. NO in-home Christmas gathering. Forget about it! But go ahead and cook! Prepare a fabulous Christmas feast! Make it the best ever!!! But prepare food trays with contactless pick up by guests.