It’s a fact. Nobody wants COVID for Christmas.
With cases of the omicron variant surging in England, it’s going to be difficult to avoid the virus having an impact on your festive plans, but we might be able to help with five ways to avoid COVID this Christmas.
Get jabbed
It’s obvious, right? Getting two doses of the vaccine can cut your chances of catching the virus when exposed to it.
But it gets better.
The vaccine can also reduce your chances of passing on the virus, so if you do catch it, you’re less likely to share it with those that you live with.
Anyone over the age of 12 can book two doses of the vaccine via www.nhs.uk. The vaccine is free and there are lots of walk-in clinics if you don’t want to book. Find your nearest walk-in clinic at www.northeastlincolnshireccg.nhs.uk/covid-19/vaccineclinics.
Get your booster
To improve your chances of not being laid up and feeling dreadful over Christmas, you can get your booster jab.
The booster is a third dose of the vaccine, and studies have shown that a booster dose provides ‘significant increased protection’ against symptomatic disease.
It’s especially effective in those aged 50 and above.
You can book your booster dose if it’s been 3 months since your second dose and you’re 18 years old and over (or 16 or 17 and with a health condition that puts you at high risk from COVID).
Book your booster jab via www.nhs.uk. The booster is free and there are lots of walk-in clinics if you don’t want to book. Find your nearest walk-in clinic at www.northeastlincolnshireccg.nhs.uk/covid-19/vaccineclinics.
Wear a mask
Not everyone feels comfortable wearing a mask in indoor settings, but a few minutes wearing one in a shop is a small price to pay to protect others.
Wearing a face covering can reduce the chances of you spreading the virus if you go out without realising that you have COVID.
One in three people that have COVID do not show any symptoms.
It’s currently mandatory for masks to be worn in indoor settings in England.
Ventilate spaces
Christmas is about spending time with family and loved ones. But this can be troubling. COVID thrives in places where there are gatherings of people – the more, the merrier.
There are lots of things you can do to reduce the chances of catching the virus when meeting friends and family members, from wearing a mask to keeping your distance, but one of the most effective things you can do is introducing ventilation.
By opening a window and ventilating the space, you can dramatically reduce the spread of COVID indoors. Just pop on an extra jumper so you don’t get chilly!
Wash your hands regularly
By washing your hands every time you get back from the shops or work, you’re making sure you don’t spread the virus into your home.
Try to avoid touching your head or face until after you’ve washed your hands thoroughly, and do the same before eating.
When you touch contaminated surfaces, COVID can attach to your hands. If you then touch your face or eat without washing your hands, the virus can become ingested.
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