Irene Hartmann
11/24/2020 6:00 AM
Clarín.com
Society
Updated 11/24/2020 6:00 AM
The English news network BBC published an ingenious video note on coronavirus: little boys interview Santa Claus.
They ask him if there is going to be
Christmas
.
“Things are not going to be the same, but it does not mean that Christmas is not yet to happen.
Don't forget that Santa is an essential worker, ”he reports.
A girl interrogates him about the use of a chinstrap when he goes house to house.
And he: “Obviously I'll use it, but it's not enough.
You have to maintain social distance.
Luckily you will be sleeping. "
With only a month left of the
New Year's Eve parties
, questions are beginning to arise.
Is there a
safe and non-bizarre way
to get together to say goodbye to the year?
Is there a
"perfect bubble"
?
And most importantly: Are they going to allow us to meet in closed spaces?
Going from the last to the first,
Clarín
consulted the Ministry of Health of the Nation if exceptionally they will enable
social gatherings in closed domestic spaces
for the Holidays
, that is, beyond the already current authorization of social gatherings of no more than 10 people and outdoors, with social distancing and chinstrap.
While the Buenos Aires Ministry of Health said that "there is still no news in this regard", in the portfolio led by Ginés González García they explained that
"it is not defined"
, but that "it will be seen closer to the date, depending on how the situation (of infections) ”.
However, they remarked, "if we don't take care of ourselves and things get out of hand, it will be necessary to go back in terms of openings, authorizations and mobility."
Image of one of the first family meetings held in Rosario, when they were enabled in July.
Experts recommend planning outdoor meetings.
In case of being in a closed space, that is well ventilated.
Photo Juan José García
Where they did advance a series of recommendations (which will be released in the coming days) that point to the coronavirus and the Holidays was in the Health area of the province of Buenos Aires.
Whoever told this newspaper joked using a colorful expression: “We tell them, among ourselves,
'sweet bread bubbles'
.
They are bubbles of families or friends ”.
That is, groups of people whose contact has been
more or less "closed"
in recent weeks.
As detailed, “there are 10 basic recommendations for the Holidays.
The first is to build a bubble with friends or family, but basically people you know about whom you know what contacts they had in recent days.
Second,
do not go to events with strangers or mass parties
.
Third, let it be outdoors.
Fourth, that if it cannot be outdoors, be in a ventilated environment without air conditioning ”.
Technology will be a resource for those who cannot get together because of the distance or not to "break" the bubble.
.
Photo: Shutterstock
Then, “the sixth recommendation is the use of the mandatory chinstrap.
The seventh, that there is social distancing between people.
The eighth, that there are no more than ten participants.
The ninth,
that no one share cutlery, glasses or mate
. "
The tenth is to keep the three historical recommendations that are repeated every year very fresh: “One, do not abuse alcoholic beverages with the message of
'if you drink, don't drive'
.
Second, take care of a healthy diet.
And, the third, not to use pyrotechnics to avoid accidents and take care of pets ”.
Intent vs.
reality
Is there the perfect bubble, that is, a group of people whose members know and have "control" of everyone else's social journey?
Difficult, if not impossible
.
In many families a mixed circumstance occurs.
For example, while most of the members have been getting bored indoors for months (studying, working, the boys literally bouncing ...), some, whether for work or any other sporting or social activity, ends up opening the circle and , even with the appropriate care,
"breaks" the bubble
.
It is obvious, but it should be noted: the fissure or rupture of the bubble opens a door through which the
coronavirus
could enter
.
Thus, the risk runs both for the members of the bubble in question and those of the other bubbles that could join the December parties.
At this point the discussion begins to walk along the ledge of common sense, since many end up thinking that "totally, for that directly or use the mask."
"No way.
There are different degrees of risk.
The more the person who circulates outside the bubble takes care of himself, the less chance there is that he will infect the rest.
It is not black or white,
”emphasized Adolfo Rubinstein, former Minister of Health of the Nation, doctor of Medicine and master's degree in Clinical Epidemiology.
It is true that “bubbles are generally
imperfect
.
They are not proof of everything.
The issue is how many bubbles do you have at the same party or meeting.
If it is the extended family (for example adding grandparents ...) or very diverse and numerous groups join ”.
Former Health Minister Adolfo Rubinstein says that the bubbles are imperfect and what must be done is to try to "balance the risks."
Photo Rolando Andrade
For Rubinstein, the issue is "
balancing the risks
, since it is not the same if there are people at risk as if there are not."
And, at the same time, "we must
balance between the health issue and compassionate harm
, not like the feudal lords of the north, Insfrán and Zamora, who say 'I privilege health' in quotes, 'I don't care about freedoms', a fully authoritarian and arbitrary approach, as well as counterproductive ”.
Arnaldo Casiró, head of Infectious Diseases at Hospital Álvarez, was
very concerned
about what will happen at the Holidays: “No matter how many recommendations are made,
people are doing what they want
.
We see it in the world and here.
It would be very important to make a very strong campaign recommending
that there be no meetings that are not outdoors
.
That if they are not outdoors, they are very few people and with good ventilation.
I think it's good what the Province of Buenos Aires is doing, anticipating clandestine parties ”.
The doctor emphasized that it will be central "to continue insisting that the mask be worn and distance be maintained."
Rubinstein agreed: “One of the issues is
to minimize the number of bubbles
.
And obviously, not having meetings with 30 or 40 people ”.
For him, “you have to give recommendations on risk.
Say:
'If you are going to do it, do it in such a way'.
If they are closed spaces, limit the number of people according to the size of the surface.
You have to communicate as soon as possible so that people organize and internalize the information ”.
DD