Christmas holiday changed by the epidemic: nervousness, hardship and heartwarming cure

(Fighting New Coronary Pneumonia) Christmas Holidays Changed by the Epidemic: Tensions, Difficulties and Heart-warming Healing

　　China News Service, Beijing, December 26th, title: Christmas holiday changed by the epidemic: nervousness, hardship and heartwarming cure

　　Author Bo Wenwen

　　This year's Christmas holiday is very different due to the new crown epidemic.

The lively streets are replaced by intense epidemic prevention. Whether to go home and reunite for the holidays has become a difficult decision. Even children are beginning to care about whether Santa Claus can get the new crown vaccine.

Data map: Britain under the epidemic.

Photo by Zhang Mengqi issued by China News Service

Nervous fight

　　In previous years, the streets during Christmas were always bustling.

But this year, facing the rebound of the epidemic, many countries have promulgated stricter and more stringent epidemic prevention measures on the eve of the holiday, leaving only deserted.

　　In the UK, the epidemic prevention measures that were originally relaxed for family reunion had to be tightened again due to the emergence of the mutant new crown virus. Travel and Christmas gatherings with more than three families were banned. Even the Queen of England failed to spend Christmas with her family.

In Germany, the famous Nuremberg Christmas Market was forced to cancel.

In Italy, residents are not allowed to leave their residences for no special reason. Most of the time, restaurants will be closed for dine-in, and only take-out services are accepted.

In Belgium, the public can entertain only one visitor.

In South Africa, the main beach attractions will always be closed during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

In South Korea, it is forbidden for 5 people or more to have dinner in restaurants, and major tourist attractions, ski resorts, and national parks are temporarily closed.

The quarantine and anti-epidemic that lasted throughout the year continued during the Christmas period.

　　"I am very sad, seeing everyone wearing masks, including pastors and auxiliary priests, reminds me that this is no longer the world in my memory." Filipino citizen Kyen Quimpo Mallonga is on TV instead of in church He told AFP reporters after watching Midnight Mass.

On December 5, 2020, local time, in Oklahoma, USA, in order to prevent excessive contact during the epidemic, Santa Claus interacted with tourists in a balloon.

Hard choice

　　In previous years, reunion was an essential theme of Christmas.

But this year, in countries where the epidemic is not yet optimistic, many people are faced with a difficult choice: whether to get together with their loved ones at the risk of infection or stay at home in compliance with epidemic prevention regulations.

　　The United States is currently the country with the largest number of confirmed cases and deaths from the new crown in the world.

Although the United States has not introduced nationwide travel restrictions, public health experts have been urging people to stay at home to celebrate the holidays.

　　Michelle Dallaire, 50, who lives in Michigan, told the Associated Press that she was unable to reunite with her father who lives in Virginia this Christmas for the first time because they believed that they should not risk the infection.

"It's really sad, but it's better than never seeing him again."

　　In Brazil, where the number of deaths from the new crown is second only to the United States, Francisco Paulo made the same decision not to visit his elderly mother.

"This is not a happy Christmas, but at least my loved ones and I are healthy."

　　However, some people made the opposite decision.

According to statistics from the US Transportation Security Administration, there are still more than 5 million Americans traveling by air from December 18 to 22 on Christmas Eve.

Elderly couples worry that there is not much Christmas left for them to spend with their relatives; girls in their twenties have been separated from their boyfriends for a long time, so out of longing, they embarked on a journey in entanglement; some others Just because I can no longer stand the isolation and depression of this year.

Data map: American infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci.

Heartwarming Q&A

　　In previous years, children would write prayers to Santa Claus.

But this year, Santa Claus seems to be the object of concern.

　　"How does Santa Claus get vaccinated against the new crown? Is it safe for him to enter every household and give gifts?" Several children asked Fauci, an American infectious disease expert, on a TV show a few days ago.

　　"I went to the North Pole and vaccinated Santa Claus against the new crown. I tested his immunity and he was okay." Fauci replied, Santa Claus is ready to wear a red jacket and climb up the chimney. Leave a gift next, "Don’t worry at all."

　　Maria Van Kelkhoff, the technical leader of the WHO health emergency project, also pointed out to children at a press conference not long ago that although Santa Claus is older and belongs to a high-risk group, he is actually very concerned about the new crown. Virus immunity.

She also said that many national leaders told the WHO that they relaxed the isolation measures for Santa Claus and let him enter the airspace of various countries.

"So he can still fly around in the sky and give gifts to the children."

　　Pfizer CEO Albert Burla posted a Christmas wish letter from a child on social media a few days ago: "Dear Pfizer, I heard that you made a new crown vaccine. It's great. Yes. Can I ask you to send some to Santa Claus and his elves who live in the North Pole? We want to save Christmas and make all children happy."

　　Burla responded, "We are doing everything we can to help people all over the world regain hope. We will also take good care of Santa Claus and his elves. Children do not have to worry." (End)