Did you know that germs get really busy during the holidays too? So many occasions are propitious for them, so many basic rules are forgotten to make their life easier.
Ah how nice Christmas! Family celebrations around good meals! The gifts, the cries and the laughter of the children. The beautiful little snow falling gently, what a dream! On the other hand, as soon as the holiday season is over, in the clinics people jostle, pile up and wait a long, very long time.
At Christmas everything is in place to catch an infection
Close contactThe traditional round of kisses, hugs and handshakes with many people we love. Obviously, we take a break on hand washing and we visit a lot of people and public places during this period such as shopping malls, restaurants, cinemas, etc.
Diminished immune potentialThe final sprint before the holidays really begin puts many to the test. Significant stress during the last minute sprint for the preparation of the festivities and significant fatigue following small parties that end late are greatly reducedour defense potential against germs
Germ season is starting!Those in contact with sick people or children already have a few colds, sometimes gastroenteritis, ear infections or pneumonia under their belt! Winter is starting to creep in and respiratory infection season is in full swing.
Food poisoning in sight…Your aunt cooked a gigantic buffet with several types of sandwiches and salads (many with mayonnaise)! We leave the buffet within reach of the guests all evening so that everyone can enjoy themselves. Then, at the end of the evening, we divide the prices: who wants the leftover potato salad? Who wants the leftover egg sandwich? Succulent buffets, but leftovers from the next day that can make you regret many extras…
SolutionsOf course, getting an infection during the holidays is not compulsory or inevitable. With a little goodwill, we can easily get away with it.
Keep your immune system in top shapeWe rest as much as possible and we unload our schedule to the maximum!
Protect yourself and othersWe wash our hands often, especially after the "round of kisses"! We abstain from precisely participating in the "round of kisses" if we are sick, no one will blame you for not sharing your germs, you can be sure of that.
If you visit grandpaor grandma in a senior center or hospital, remember to protect them by washing your hands! Same thing for infants, before taking the new baby in your arms, wash your hands and do not touch his face.
Cook and manage food intelligentlyWe reduce the size of the buffet and take it out for a fairly short defined time (no more than 60 minutes) and quickly put away the foods most at risk: anything that contains mayonnaise, meat, milk, eggs, etc. We try to avoid foods that have to be handled. So we cut ready-made small portions in advance and provide guests with enough serving utensils.
You can even add a bottle of hand sanitizer, alcohol-based gel, at the start of the buffet, this will be greatly appreciated by your guests, because you are thinking about their he alth!
