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As with almost every aspect of life this year, however, the pandemic is changing people’s holiday traditions. This year the Hakerems plans to leave cookies elsewhere in their Atlanta home.
And it’s on their roof! “That way he doesn’t have to come into the house,” their 7-year-old son Josh said.
While it is clear that Santa Claus has certain magical powers, and some countries are granting his crew Christmas Eve travel exemptions, the science around the coronavirus is still emerging. It’s best not to take chances with the spread of the virus, some children say, especially when toys are involved.
“He’s probably going to drop some toys down the chimney,” Josh said. “So mom and dad will pick them up and lay them out under the tree.”
Santa is a super-diffuser of joy, but is there a risk that Santa’s journey of delivering toys to children around the world will make him a super-diffuser for coronavirus? One theory was that he should stick to the same habit that public health officials recommend for all of us when we walk into a building.
It’s likely that the same precautions Santa would take on Christmas Eve are part of a culture of safety he instilled in his elf and reindeer workforce throughout his vast operation at the North Pole.
“He would wear a mask,” Josh said. And his crew? “I think they’re all wearing gloves and masks.”
The magic of Christmas in the time of Covid
Even though they are likely taking safety precautions, the virus has likely disrupted the supply chain. With struggles to get the supplies his merry crew need to build toys, and with demands for social distancing in their magic factory, Santa has asked boys and girls, even the good ones, to be patient with him this year, according to an email Victoria obtained. Moorhouse, a mother from Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Moorhouse told his sons that Santa Claus emailed him and other relatives to apologize for how the Covid-19 pandemic caused delays – especially in the manufacturing process and handling many of the millions of toys that their massive operation distributes each year.
His son Aiden, 11, got it, acknowledging that the delays this year were perfectly understandable.
“Some elves have Covid,” he said.
Therefore, Santa will forgo his usual personal sleigh delivery trip this year and opt for a bit of innovative magic to reach millions of children in a single night, Aiden explained.
“He will do it with a little Christmas magic,” Aiden said. “Teleportation”.
Covid-19 can permanently alter many aspects of our world, but standard Christmas magic will likely make a return to a post-pandemic world. “When Covid is over, it will continue to use the reindeer,” Aiden said.
Others, however, were less convinced that a major tactical change would be necessary. If Santa Claus stayed out of parents’ or children’s room, the risk of infection was lower.
“I don’t think he should be wearing a mask because we sleep far from each other,” said Coraline Land, a kindergarten student from Missoula, MT. “I also don’t think he should wear a mask because it’s magic.”
She was more concerned with Santa’s seemingly poor performance last year. With magic at your disposal, can there be an excuse for a mistake? “Last time I asked for a stuffed dog, and he accidentally didn’t give me a stuffed dog,” she said. “I hope he brings me something I want this year.”
Leave a note to Santa if you are sick
Sadly, some children say asking Santa to stay away from dormitories is not guaranteed as a virus containment measure.
Some families, like the Atlanta Swansons, keep their socks in their bedrooms. While that means waking up on Christmas morning with instant gifts, the practice carries a risk during a pandemic.
Are they worried that Santa will catch the virus? “Yes!” sisters Willow, 6, and Scout, 7, responded in unison.
But there were ways he could still deliver gifts without getting sick, the sisters said.
“I think he can, if he wears gloves. Before Christmas, for people who have (the virus), they will wear masks and write a letter to Santa to tell him that they have it so he must be careful, ”said Scout.
She provided a sample letter boys and girls can leave for Santa if they have Covid-19.
“Deer Santa, I have the corona viris so be carfle and mask and war gloves be careful. Love Scout.”
It is essential to warn him so that he knows he needs to stay socially distant while packing his stockings. It’s a message Willow and Scout hope other children around the world will heed during the pandemic.
No need to quarantine Santa
Meanwhile, health officials in a growing list of countries have paved the way for Santa Claus to make his world tours this year.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command, better known as NORAD, plans to track Santa’s journey around the world on December 24.
CNN has attempted to contact the North Pole for comment, but has yet to receive a response. (The elusive character appears to have a voicemail system set up for children, but no staff to answer media inquiries.)
Belgium’s health minister granted an exemption to Sinterklaas, as it is known in Flemish, in November, allowing it to pass through the country and skip the standard quarantine period required for visitors to the country.
Sinterklaas traditionally delivers gifts to Belgian children the day before December 6 and no new cases have been linked to her deliveries. This should give others some comfort as Santa makes his wider rounds on December 24th.
America’s leading infectious disease expert told USA Today last month that Claus would also not need to self-quarantine upon entering the United States on Christmas Eve.
“Santa Claus is exempt because Santa Claus, of all good qualities, has good innate immunity,” said Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergic and Infectious Diseases.
Coraline Land, however, defended Fauci’s judgment and confirmed that Santa Claus did in fact have rare immune characteristics that act as a bulwark against SARS-CoV-2.
“He’s magical, so he doesn’t have to worry about getting sick,” Kindergarten said. “He would feel better right away.”
And even though the impossible happened and Santa Claus contracted Covid-19, Coraline had good faith that the North Pole had made contingency plans for the annual delivery of the toys.
“Mrs. Claus could go if Santa Claus is sick and can’t go,” she explained.
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