摘要:
We've had to endure many things this year, and we've had to make decisions to cancel or postpone many iconic events. As Christmas approaches, Santa has been considering the difficult question of whether to defer Christmas, or even to move to virtual Santa, zoom‐Santa or click‐and‐collect Santa. The wellbeing of 2.2 billion children may depend on his decision. But is the risk too great?Saint Nicholas sought out our epidemiological and public health expertise to help him weigh up the risks and benefits, and to propose a COVID‐safe plan. The good news is that after extensive analysis, we have advised Santa that a with a few modifications to his work practices he can do his job safely and not risk his health or ours. Christmas can be saved in 2020!From the outset we classified Santa as an essential worker. If Santa was required to remain at home on Christmas eve it could precipitate an unprecedented mental health catastrophe as the world's children wake up to empty stockings. Having already suffered mum and dad's home‐schooling in 2020, Santa offers some much needed hope this Christmas. Whatever the level of lockdown, Santa must be permitted to deliver this essential ***, protecting Santa's health is paramount. After all, this millennia‐old service depends on Santa's survival. So how concerned should we be about Santa catching COVID‐19? We know that Santa's older age, tobacco use and obesity are important risk factors for COVID‐19 and in fact the BMJ has previously outlined Santa's chronic disease risk profile, which is some cause for concern.1 In addition, we know St Nicholas is no spring chicken, celebrating his 1,740th birthday this year.2In his favour, however, Santa has survived numerous pandemics and presumably has antibodies to a plethora of similar viruses. And interestingly there is emerging evidence from Africa and Asia that such immunity may be partially protective.3In addition to protecting his own health, the other important question is: how can