Ten rules for a safe Christmas

As the global pandemic continues to take over our lives, even Christmas Day stands no chance, given that the coronavirus is still at the community level of transmission.

The current rules set by the government have made it possible to limit the spread of the virus. However, the responsibility of stopping the transmission on its tracks this festive season lies solely on every individual.

As bad as the restrictions sound, it is still possible to enjoy the festive season, keep Covid-19 at bay while trying new traditions on this unusual season.

DO

1.Enjoy safe outdoor activities

The curfew still stands even as the number of new cases go down. This means it will not be possible to do most of the usual festivities such as visiting friends or going out to party late into the night.
The country’s Covid-19 positivity rate seems to be going down. However, that is no reason to risk it all and end up with more Covid-19 cases in the beginning of next year.
The growing concern over Christmas numbers is especially because recently super spreader rallies and public holiday celebrations in the country led to a spike in Covid-19 transmission that resulted in the second wave of the virus.
Dr Ahmed Kalebi, the Chief Executive Officer of Pathologist Lancet Kenya, says although the country is currently past the second wave, a third one might emerge should people’s movement over the holiday season increase. As such, he advises people to limit their movement.
“We are truly past the second wave. However, a third wave is inevitable in January/February once people travel and interact then resume work and school,” he says.
Depending on the weather and your location, there are plenty of safe outdoor activities that you can enjoy this festive season without risking the chance of contracting Covid-19.
There are options like packing a picnic basket and visiting a park with family while social distancing and enjoying each other’s company at the same time.
Also, when going out for your Christmas shopping, keep your mask on.

2.Keep your celebration as small as possible

The Health ministry has warned Kenyans to keep their Christmas celebrations short and simple this year. The same rules apply not just in the country, but throughout the world where people have been encouraged to limit the number of people they invite to homes.
The danger of a third wave remains a serious problem especially since Kenya has not yet procured vaccines for Covid-19 and our health system is not strong enough to handle any more.
Studies have shown the coronavirus spreads most easily in packed, stuffy rooms where people are together for long periods of time such as Christmas gatherings.
The greater the spread of the virus in the community, the more the chances of somebody in a household gathering being infected, possibly without realising it if they have no symptoms.
Scientists at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine have been investigating the likely scale of social mixing over the Christmas period.
They say having schools and many workplaces closed has helped reduce the number of infections overall. However, increased social interaction in homes will have the opposite effect. “Key to the effect on infection rates will be how well people limit their interactions before entering their Christmas,” the study notes.

3.Try online church services

From Zoom-worship, church service from the living room to morning prayers on Facebook, the church has gone digital and so should you.
If there is one thing Covid-19 has taught us this year is that we need to embrace technology as much as possible. Easter celebrations were made possible through online services and Christmas and New Year’s services should be no different.

As tempting as it is to take the children to see Father Christmas or going for night vigils, it is important to remember to keep you and your loved ones safe.

Local churches have embraced virtual church services that give their followers spiritual nourishment during this tough times and this should go on during the Christmas period.

In fact, this is the time to be more careful since there is more physical interaction given the festivities that surround the season.

4. Try new healthy recipes and keep fit

le throw caution to the wind when it comes to diet.
Good nutrition is crucial for health, particularly in times when the immune system might need to fight back.

A strong immunity is your best chance against Covid-19. Limited access to fresh foods may compromise opportunities to continue eating a healthy and varied diet. It can also potentially lead to an increased consumption of highly processed foods, which tend to be high in fats, sugars and salt. Nonetheless, even with few and limited ingredients, one can continue eating a diet that supports good health.

The World Health Organization states that proper nutrition and hydration are vital and people who eat a well-balanced diet tend to be healthier with stronger immune systems and lower risk of chronic illnesses and infectious diseases.

“So you should eat a variety of fresh and unprocessed foods every day to get the vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre, protein and antioxidants your body needs. Drink enough water. Avoid sugar, fat and salt to significantly lower your risk of overweight, obesity, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and certain types of cancer,” says WHO.

“Support your physical and mental wellbeing with healthy eating. Do your best to eat nourishing meals, like fruits and vegetables,” says Bernard Thuo, a nutritionist in the country.

He says if you are in upcountry, healthy foods are readily available. Those in town can ensure they have the same by shopping for healthy options in good time.
In addition to eating right, keep your body active by exercising.

5. Donate to the less privileged

The coronavirus has left many people living from hand to mouth given the lack of jobs and money. This has in turn driven some people into mental distress.
Therefore, in this season of giving it might be best to put into practice the love thy neighbour mantra and donate whatever you can.
The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics Quarterly Report for the second quarter of 2020 shows that the unemployment rate was 13.7 per cent, having increased from the 12.4 percent recorded in the fourth quarter of 2019 while a survey by GeoPoll, shows that Kenyans are suffering more financial and emotional stress from the Covid-19 pandemic than other African nations.

And so this is the more reason to think about checking on your friends and donating to the less fortunate.
As you consider serving as beacon of hope consider street families who are going to be in the cold and at the risk of contracting the virus given their lack of resources and funds to afford basics such as masks.

With less people invited to the table for this years’ Christmas dinner due perhaps you could consider offering the extra food to Children’s Home or the less fortunate who may not have a morsel to eat.

DON’T

6. Attend vigils

It is going to be a silent night this Christmas for Christians who are used to a blaring mood to celebrate the birth of Christ.

Experts warn against some Christmas traditions to protect people from getting infected. Had the pandemic not ravaged the world, Christians would have stayed up late on Christmas eve for prayer and worship in churches.

“Such events are super spreaders of Covid-19 and people should try and avoid them this year,” says Francis Ndung’u, an immunologist.

“People assume that because they do not have the symptoms of the coronavirus, then they are not sick. Such asymptomatic cases in fact spread the disease unknowingly.”

Most of the vigils happen in churches which are mostly enclosed, with minimal ventilation.

A study published in the journal Nature by researchers from the University of Nebraska Medical Centre shows that infected people, regardless of whether they are symptomatic or asymptomatic, are likely to spread the disease to others especially in a walled premise.

“The data is suggestive that viral aerosol particles are produced by individuals who have Covid-19, even in the absence of a cough,” says the study.

The curfew imposed by the government as a containment measure should also be a reason for you to stay at home and not attend a Christmas vigil this year.

7. Overindulge in alcohol

Christmas is a time of fun and some people have a little more to drink than they should. If you have too much to drink, you will put yourselves and those around you at risk of Covid-19.

“People need to be more responsible this Christmas because alcohol may cause them to make decisions that could harm them or their families,” says Dr Andrew Mulwa, the Makueni Health executive.

Therefore, it will be your responsibility to ensure that for your kin and friends see the next Christmas.

A study published in the Lancet points out that during the Covid-19 period Kenyan media reports show an increase in the use of alcohol.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that the abuse of alcohol or drugs is likely to impair judgment, making it hard for you to adhere to Covid-19 safety measures.

“Unfortunately, alcoholic drinks have at the same time been listed as essential products during the pandemic, and thus are available via online platforms and supermarkets,” says the study.
In light of this, the researchers have recommended that the government delists alcohol as an essential product.

A WHO report says: “Alcohol use, especially heavy use, weakens the immune system and thus reduces the ability to cope with infectious diseases.”

The report also debunks a myth that had been hyped in the earlier days of the pandemic. “Consuming alcohol will not destroy the virus, and its consumption is likely to increase the health risks if a person becomes infected with the virus.

Alcohol (at a concentration of at least 60 per cent by volume) works as a disinfectant on your skin, but it has no such effect within your system when ingested,” says the report.

8. Visit those in isolation

Although you might have a family member or friend who is in isolation due to Covid-19 and you want to spread a little cheer by visiting them, avoid doing so.

Experts warn that this is one of the risky ways of getting the disease. The pandemic has forced some people to get used to a lonely life. Those in isolation bear the brunt of being alone during a time meant to spent with loved ones.

“So many people have lost their lives, including doctors who work in the frontline. Such instances should make us think twice before visiting someone who is in isolation,” says Ndung’u.
Those in isolation may not necessarily be in hospital. Some of them could be in the home-based care programme but since there are not so many restrictions at home, people could be tempted to allow them to rejoin the family.

“We can show love to those in isolation by sending them gifts, but ensure they are sanitised,” adds Ndung’u.

Job Saina, a nurse who has been working at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, says the isolation units are very high risk areas for the spread of Covid-19.

“Visiting those in isolation means you are likely to get the disease unknowingly and take it to the community. It is, therefore, prudent to just stay at home during this period,” he said.

9.Travel unless necessary

It is almost given that most people travel to their rural areas during the Christmas period. The pandemic has had little effect on this routine. HealthyNation established that most buses to rural areas were fully booked by mid-December.

Dr Mulwa says as much as travel could be inevitable this period, people should adhere to the Health ministry protocols on transport so as to reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19.

He says if people can avoid travelling, then the spread of the disease could be minimal.

“Some people might spend time in hotels. Most of the hotels have done well in terms of restrictions, but in areas such as swimming pools and play areas the rules might be more relaxed. Therefore, such places are high-risk areas for the spread of Covid-19,” says Dr Mulwa.

10. Include vulnerable populations in gatherings

It is still going to be a merry Christmas but can people do it differently this time around? Gatherings are what make Christmas fun, but the CDC warns that we need to change how we do things to avoid negative implications on our health.

Such events can be dangerous especially for vulnerable people such as the elderly. Although we want to visit them, that might have to wait for another Christmas.

“I know Christmas comes with a lot of gatherings and get-togethers in this part of the world. Our caution as health experts is that people should as much as possible avoid such since they put us at risk of spreading the disease to the elderly,” says Dr Mulwa.

In order to have a safe Christmas, you should also protect those with underlying conditions. People with diseases such as diabetes, heart conditions, chronic kidney disease are considered at risk of severe illness from Covid-19, according to CDC.

Instead, consider holding the gathering virtually instead of an in-person kind of event. You can choose to call them instead of visiting them.

“In-person gatherings that bring together family members or friends from different households, including college students returning home, pose varying levels of risk,” the CDC warns.