Measures to train the Christmas celebrations at home

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This week we have known the package of proposals of the Ministry of Health that includes 13 measures against Covid-19 for the celebration of Christmas.

Surprised?

I think that by now no one will have been surprised to know that the health authorities warn that not taking "Christmas measures" can seriously harm health.

We have three weeks ahead of us to get used to the idea that

.

So in the meantime it is convenient to do a couple of things.

The first is perhaps the most difficult: planning and making decisions.

The sooner we notify the cousins ​​of Calatayud that it is better that this year they do not come, the less it will hurt.

The second, to be acquiring certain habits and taking measures at home so that, if finally on Christmas Eve, within the recommendations, we have dinner with some "non-partner", the risk of contagion in our house is the least possible.

Let's not forget that, before Christmas Eve dinner,

(with friends, with co-workers) and it is possible that someone is thinking of receiving friends or relatives in their house these days.

Three key points on which there is still a lot of pedagogy in Spain

1. Sample size matters, but so does type.

For months we have burned the magic figure of "six people maximum" per meeting.

But, although

sounds delicate, we should start talking about

.

I explain.

Since the state of alarm ended, the health authorities have insisted a lot on reducing the number of contacts to the maximum, but little has been said about whether

.

That is, there is not the same risk of contagion if a couple invites a family with two children to their home (we will be bringing together two groups of cohabitants) than if a couple invites four people who belong to four different households to their home ( in this case we will be bringing together five coexistence groups).

2. Ventilate, the fourth musketeer.

There is still a lot of pedagogy also so that to the three usual measures (hand washing, distance and use of a mask), in which some seem to have become stagnant, we join the essential fourth musketeer: ventilation.

As much luck as we may have over time, it is difficult for us to have Christmas Eve dinner outdoors in most of the Spanish geography, so we must start training, if we have not already done so, in the noble art of ventilation.

It can be very useful to take a look at the document published by the CSIC entitled

.

3. A negative test does not give you 'carte blanche'.

If it had already become more or less clear that restaurants or hotels could not be 'covid free', now we have the most difficult thing: to understand that neither a negative in a PCR, nor an antigen test, and much less a test of Self-diagnosis of antibodies (of which they will be able to be dispensed in pharmacies) offers us a 100% guarantee that we cannot transmit the disease.

Tests are an extremely useful measure.

As useful as it is complementary.

Taking a test before "going to see grandparents" can be a good idea, without a doubt.

But this

soon as we step on the threshold of the door.

Despite the fact that there are numerous test alternatives right now in our country, let us not forget that PCR is still the most reliable to detect active infections, especially if we are asymptomatic.

What can we do in our house in a concrete way?

Beyond all the previously mentioned measures, which will be key to avoid contagion, we can activate another series of complementary measures at home to minimize the risk.

IN THE RECEIVER:

It is convenient to have a

that can be useful for our guests.

- Paper covers for the masks (avoiding that they end up scattered around the house or on the elbow of our guest is always a plus) and pens to put a name.

- Disposable masks (just in case someone has been very clueless, or gets dirty, wet, more than four hours pass and there is no replacement ...).

- Clínex (always good to have on hand).

- Hydroalcoholic gel (although we will always recommend washing hands with soap and water).

- Sticker or adhesive for the glasses, so that each guest has their own in case we offer them a drink upon arrival.

IN THE BATHROOM

:

- Soap with dispenser better than a tablet.

- Paper towels (or napkins if applicable) to dry.

- Trash can with pedal.

IN THE TABLE:

- Try to keep the distance between diners as wide as possible.

- Paper napkins.

- Try to have open windows or sufficient ventilation for the duration of the meal.

- It is not recommended to use common sources to share: it is advisable to serve the dishes individually from the kitchen.

- Choose a 'covid brother-in-law' to fill glasses, repeat food, etc.

and that we are not all touching everything.

IN THE KITCHEN:

- Cook with a mask on if we cook for non-cohabitants.

- Limit the number of people inside.

- Ensure sufficient ventilation, open windows whenever possible.

- Do not use rags as much as possible.

- Design "starter + first + second" menus, with reasonable portions, trying to limit the thousand and one dishes to share.

In summary, if we invite people to our house during these days, let's remember that it is the fewest number of guests from the "fewest number of houses" possible.

Let us prudently interpret the possible tests that we have done and do not forget to add, to the three measurements that we have engraved with fire, the fourth musketeer: ventilation.

Let's make sure that in our house we have everything we need so that the stay and the food are as safe as possible and ... let's also remember to enjoy.

After all, it is Christmas.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

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