As with almost every aspect of life this year, the pandemic is changing people’s holiday traditions. This year it is Hakerems plans to leave cookies elsewhere in their Atlanta home.
And that’s on their roof! “He doesn’t have to come in that way,” said their 7-year-old son, Josh.
While it is clear that Santa has certain magical powers and some countries are granting his crew travel exemptions for Christmas Eve, the science surrounding the coronavirus is still emerging. It’s best not to risk spreading the virus, some kids say, especially when toys are at stake.
“He’s probably dropping toys down the chimney,” Josh said. “Then Mom and Dad will pick them up and arrange them under the tree.”
Santa is a super spreader of joy, but is there a risk that Santa’s journey delivering toys to children around the world will also make him a super spreader of the coronavirus? One theory was that he should adhere to the same habit that public health officials recommend to all of us when we enter a building.
It’s likely that the same precautions Santa would take on Christmas Eve are part of a culture of safety that he instilled in his elves and reindeer personnel during his sprawling Arctic operation.
“He would wear a mask,” Josh said. And his crew? “I think they all wear gloves and masks.”
Christmas magic in the Covid era
While they likely have security measures in place, the virus has likely disrupted the supply chain. With struggling to get the supplies his merry crew needs to build toys, and with social distance requirements at their magic factory, Santa has asked boys and girls, even the good guys, to be patient with him this year, according to an e mail from Victoria. Moorhouse, a mother from Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Moorhouse told her sons that Santa had sent her and other parents an email to apologize for the way the Covid-19 pandemic has caused delays – particularly in the manufacturing and processing of many of the millions of toys that their huge company distributes every year.
Her son Aiden, age 11, understood and acknowledged that delays this year were completely understandable.
“Some elves have Covid,” he said.
That’s why Santa will forgo his usual personal sled-powered delivery journey this year and opt for an innovative piece of magic to reach millions of children in one night, Aiden explained.
“He’ll do it with a little Christmas magic,” Aiden said. “Teleportation.”
Covid-19 can permanently change many aspects of our world, but standard Christmas magic is likely to make a comeback in a post-pandemic world. “After Covid is over, he’ll keep using the reindeer,” Aiden said.
However, others were less convinced that a sweeping tactical change would be necessary. If Santa stayed out of the parents’ or children’s bedrooms, there was less chance of infection.
“I don’t think he needs to wear a mask because we sleep far apart,” said Coraline Land, a kindergarten student from Missoula, Montana. “I also don’t think he should wear a mask because he’s magical.”
She was more concerned about Santa’s seemingly poor performance last year. With magic at your disposal, can there be an excuse for a mistake? “The last time I asked for a toy dog and he accidentally didn’t give me a toy dog,” she said. “Hopefully he will bring me something I really want this year.”
Leave Santa a note if you are sick
Unfortunately, some kids say that asking Santa to stay out of the sleeping quarters is not guaranteed to work as a measure to contain the virus.
Some families, like the Swansons in Atlanta, keep their stockings in their bedrooms. While that means waking up on Christmas morning with instant presents, the practice carries a risk during a pandemic.
Are they worried that Santa could catch the virus? “Yes!” The sisters Willow (6 years old) and Scout (7) responded in unison.
But there were ways he could still deliver presents without getting sick, the sisters said.
“I think he can, if he wears gloves. For Christmas, for people who have (the virus), they will wear masks and write a letter to Santa telling him they have it, so he has to be careful , ”said Scout. .
She provided a sample letter that boys and girls can send to Santa if they have Covid-19.
Deer Santa I have the corona viris so be carfle and war mask and gloves be safe. Love Scout.
Tipping him is key so he knows to keep a social distance as he stuffs their stockings. That’s a message Willow and Scout hope other kids around the world will heed during the pandemic.
Santa Claus does not need to be quarantined
Meanwhile, health officials in a growing list of countries have paved the way for Santa to make his global rounds this year.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command, known as NORAD, plans to track Santa’s journey around the world on December 24.
CNN tried to contact the North Pole but has not heard from it. (The elusive figure appears to have a voicemail system for kids, but no staff to answer media inquiries.)
The Belgian Health Minister issued an exemption to Saint Nicholas, as he is called in Flemish, in November, allowing him to enter the country and skip the standard quarantine period for visitors to the country.
Traditionally, Sinterklaas delivers presents to Belgian children on the evening of December 6, and no new cases were reportedly linked to his deliveries. That should provide comfort to others for when Santa makes his wider rounds on December 24th.
The top American infectious disease expert told USA Today last month that Claus also does not have to be quarantined upon entering the US on Christmas Eve.
“Santa is exempt from this because, of all the good qualities, Santa has a lot of good innate immunity,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergic and Infectious Diseases.
However, Coraline Land defended Fauci’s judgment, confirming that Santa does indeed have rare immune features that act as a bulwark against SARS-CoV-2.
“He’s magical, so he doesn’t have to worry about getting sick,” said the toddler. “He would feel better right away.”
And even if the impossible happened and Santa contracted Covid-19, Coraline had on good authority that the Arctic had drawn up contingency plans for the annual supply of toys.
“Mrs. Claus could go if Santa is sick and can’t go,” she explained.