New Year’s Eve parties are a ‘Covid-19 dream’. This is why they can be especially dangerous

New Year’s Eve parties are a ‘Covid-19 dream’. This is why they can be especially dangerous

by

“What it practically means is if you’re going to a party with five or more people, there’s probably someone with Covid-19 at that party.”

Any meeting with people outside of your special bubble is risky. But there are several reasons why New Year’s parties can be especially dangerous:

Scientists now know that coronavirus “can linger in the air for minutes to hours,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

“These viruses can infect people who are more than 6 meters away from the person who is infected, or after the person leaves the room.”

Guests may not always wear masks: Whether they’re grilling champagne at midnight or snacking on snacks all night, partygoers are likely to take off their masks – if they wear one at all.

With a new mask, people can drink without taking off their masks
Even if the event is small, someone outside your social distance tube can become infected or infect others.

“If you’re having a party in your area, or if you’re just inviting friends, there’s a big risk,” Hotez said.

Young people may think they are invincible: Even young, previously healthy people had long-term complications due to Covid-19.

“We see serious diseases among healthy, young adults with no apparent underlying causes,” Hotez said.

“Whether it’s due to … a higher dose of the virus, or they have genetic changes they do not know about – we just do not understand it. So we can not reliably predict who will handle this virus well. not, and who does not. ‘

Covid-19 can be a long-term disease, even for young adults, says CDC
Some young people experienced prolonged brain fog, breathing problems, and extreme fatigue months after infection.

Other complications may include “long-term vascular injury, cardiovascular injury, lung injury, neurological effects, including cognitive impairment,” Hotez said.

In general, younger people are more likely to be asymptomatic than older people. But there is another problem: the risk of spreading coronavirus to many people without knowing it.

Publicists can sing or shout: Singing and screaming can be dangerously effective ways of throwing coronavirus into the air.

In Washington state, for example, 53 members of a choir fell ill (and two people died) after one member attended rehearsals and later tested positive for Covid-19.

New Year’s parties are a ‘Covid-19 dream’

Because coronavirus is highly contagious, “it does not take much to get out of control,” Hotez said.

Why coronavirus can linger and move more than 6 feet - especially indoors
“The loud voices to make your voice heard over the music. The lack of masks. The fact that they’re indoors. The fact that people are drinking alcohol, so maybe they’m closer to each other than usual. These New Year’s Eve parties are perfect for the SARS-CoV-2, “or the scientific name for the new coronavirus.

“It’s a Covid-19 dream for the virus, unfortunately,” Hotez said.

“All of these reasons are important reasons why we would not meet on this New Year’s Eve.”

Is there any way to celebrate New Year safely?

“Yes, absolutely – with whom you socialize,” Hotez said.
The CDC has a long list of ideas for celebrating New Year’s holidays safely. Between them:

– Have a virtual party with friends and celebrate the countdown together.

Do you want to hang out with friends (mask-free) this winter? Make a Covid-19 bubble

– Plan a countdown from the neighborhood until midnight. Neighbors can go outside and cheer from the front of their homes.

– Get a special meal at a local restaurant to share with your household.

– Watch celebrations on TV or online.

Call, text or leave voicemails for friends and family and wish them a happy new year.

If you’re already planning a big party, do not be afraid to cancel it to ensure a healthy start to 2021.

“It’s good if you decide to postpone or cancel your event,” says the CDC. “Do what’s best for you.”

And don’t worry, this will probably be the last time health experts ask you to hold New Year’s Eve.

“Once we start vaccinating, we will be in a much better position by the middle of next year,” Hotez said. “And we can have a much happier New Year 2022.”

.Source