There’s a lot to look forward to this Christmas. COVID has “failed” considerably, though not entirely, thanks to vaccines and treatments. Christmas parties, Nativity games, and New Year’s Eve parties are back on the festive calendar. However, the return to “normal” brings back the peak rates of all other winter insects that have been kept at bay in large part due to reduced socialisation in winters past, writes Simon Nicholas Williams, senior lecturer in psychology at Swansea University.
Along with COVID, northern hemisphere countries including the US and the UK are currently seeing or have recently seen large increases in influenza, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and the common cold. Combined, these infections are leading to high numbers of hospital admissions and putting a strain on health systems.
Some have spoken of a lockdown-induced “immune debt. “This suggests that the lack of exposure to seasonal pandemic viruses has suppressed our immune systems, leading to elevated rates of safe infectious diseases, especially in children. This speculation is moot because at this point there is not enough evidence to support it.
I’d say we’re seeing more of a “social distancing debt. “After two years of restrictions, data from the UK shows that other people have combined much more in the run-up to Christmas until last year. Socialization recovers, so do insects.
So what do you do if you have Christmas Day?
In recent years, many countries have had laws, policies and rules to follow regarding what to do in the event of illness (although they were contradictory and confusing). This year, it’s all about personal responsibility and “common sense. “
I’ve argued before that COVID doesn’t make any common sense – none of us have lived through a pandemic before and we’re learning as we go. It is certain that lockdowns and other strict social distancing laws are, and will be, a thing of the past. But other people still want advice.
There is still COVID-related advice, for example from the World Health Organization. Still, the challenge is, first of all, that you have COVID.
Part of the challenge is the number of COVID symptoms that are not unusual in other respiratory illnesses. The symptoms of the new COVID variants are no longer as unique as they were with the original strain (e. g. , “continuous coughing” or loss of taste). or smell).
The most common symptoms of COVID now are a sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and cough without phlegm. These aren’t unusual cold and flu symptoms, either.
In short, if in doubt, buy a COVID test. Admittedly, this is easier said than done during a cost of living crisis (I would argue governments should try to make rapid tests free, at least during winters). Testing is the only way to know for sure if your cough or sneeze is due to COVID.
That said, while COVID-19 has been devastating in recent years, respiratory illnesses as a whole deserve to be avoided as much as possible. Together, COVID, flu and pneumonia continue to account for a significant proportion of all deaths in many countries, the UK added.
To remain ourselves and others this Christmas, we can depend on what I call a “hierarchy of protections. “It is based on a style used to manage safety at work, the “hierarchy of controls”.
The model describes five degrees of coverage against occupational hazards. By substituting occupational hazards for respiratory viruses, we can use this model to adapt our movements if we experience symptoms – COVID or otherwise – at Christmas (or any time).
1. Protection by elimination: The only sure-fire way of not spreading an airborne illness is by not coming into close contact with anyone while infectious. But some people may not be able to self-isolate. Perhaps they need to care for loved ones this holiday season, or can’t face the prospect of another Christmas alone.
2. Protection by substitution: If we can’t eliminate our contacts when we’re sick, we can at least strive to reduce them, especially those who are clinically vulnerable. Meeting outdoors wherever possible is also a good idea. Viruses are much less likely to spread at outdoor carol services or Christmas markets than indoor ones.
3. Technical protections: If we can’t gather outdoors (after all, it’s winter), we can at least make sure to keep indoor spaces well ventilated, for example. by opening windows and purchasing portable HEPA air filters).
4. Administrative protections: Where we need to meet, meeting briefly and avoiding physical contact like hugs and handshakes when sick can help.
5. PPE protection: In many countries, the use of masks and even hand hygiene practices have decreased, especially over the past year, but they are especially vital in case of illness. We can think of masks as umbrellas, and use them as needed.
Of course, some of those moves can be used in combination and depending on the context.
Doing what we can to reduce the spread of respiratory viruses would likely involve personal sacrifices this Christmas if you’re one of the unfortunates who feels fine, but you’ll reap benefits for your loved ones and for overall public health.
This article written for The Conversation