Virologist Steven Van Gucht and infectiologist Erika Vlieghe responded on Thursday to the statements of Georges-Louis Bouchez about Christmas, that according to the MR chairman we will not celebrate via Skype. The experts are cautious but are working on scenarios at the request of the government. “If we celebrate Christmas together, it will be in a small circle.”
Georges-Louis Bouchez is convinced that there is a possibility that we will be able to celebrate Christmas in a limited circle. He said that on Thursday morning Call RTL and he reiterated in a press release later in the day. “We are not going to celebrate Christmas via Skype. That must be our goal. Everyone needs good prospects. To do that, we must continue to strictly follow the rules and make efforts in the coming weeks. For our sick, the elderly, the vulnerable. And for our hospital and healthcare staff. If the figures allow it at that time, we can hopefully celebrate Christmas in our limited and closest (family) circle. ”
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He does call for realism. “The situation is still too bad for that. The very first priority is slightly more social contacts. I can’t imagine that we are going to tell people that they can only celebrate Christmas with 1 other person. It’s about their well-being, their mental health. For more humanity. Taking responsibility doesn’t mean we have to be tough. The corona numbers must therefore decrease as much as possible. To save Christmas. For example with 3 or 4 people, if the numbers allow it. We should strive for that, in consultation with our experts. ”
Be carefull
But is it realistic to celebrate Christmas with several people in the same enclosed space this year? The experts are looking at this in silence. At the request of the government, they are working out scenarios in which it may be possible to celebrate together. But we must remain careful, says infectiologist Erika Vlieghe VTM News. “We are all in a difficult and dark period, and everyone is looking forward to a bright spot. Those holidays are of course traditional. But it must be a safe point of light. It is no one’s wish to have full hospitals again fourteen days after the festive period. ”
The classic Christmas party seems difficult. All around the table in a closed room, a dream for the virus. “You have to think carefully about how you can do that safely. With as few people as possible, preferably outside, maybe not an entire evening but a shorter piece… I think we should ask all creative minds in our country to think about it. And what are safe ways to do it within the current framework? ”
If we already celebrate Christmas, it will also be in a small circle, according to virologist Steven Van Gucht. “It’s a very difficult question at the moment. It depends on the numbers, which are still very high but are falling. We will have to wait and see how high they will be by then. In any case, it will be in a small circle. But we cannot yet say how small that circle will be. We also have to be careful not to mix too many generations. It may also be better to choose one holiday. We have to take into account that there is a risk of sitting in the same room for a long time and talking, eating and drinking all evening. ”
(gjs)
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