The Festivities are around the corner and December is a month of immense festivity. Preparations are made in the penultimate month to commemorate the end of the year. This is done on a yearly basis. 2020 will however be different given the coronavirus pandemic. As Christmas is approaching, there are fears that it would be a ghost of its former self. The deadly coronavirus has claimed millions of lives. The impact of the virus on the global economy following imposed lockdowns has remained a cause for worry. With a resurgence of the pandemic in places like Europe, America, as well as some parts of the world, this year’s festive period will take an entirely different shape. According to the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, he opined that ‘this year’s Christmas will be a different Christmas.’
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Most people are likely to travel as is often the case in the festive season. The Presidential Task Force on COVID 19 (PTF) has however advised against such travels given the transmittable nature of the disease. According to the PTF, the COVID 19 transmission rate has become astronomical. It therefore advised Nigerians to suspend all Christmas travels due to a likely second wave of the pandemic. As aforementioned, travels are an essential part of the festive season. People who haven’t seen their loved ones in the year travel to reunite and celebrate the festive period with them. The festive period is further defined by many shows of camaraderie like hugs and handshakes. But with the COVID 19 guidelines that insists on social distancing, all of this show of fellowship which gives life to the festive period might be removed from the known cultural practices. People might not be able to associate or relate freely with their family, friends, and loved ones, which is the obverse of what the festive period intends to achieve. In view of this, Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau stated, ‘It’s frustrating knowing that unless we are really, really careful, there may not be the kinds of family gatherings we want to have at Christmas.’ But like Andreas Westerfellhaus, Germany Commissioner for Nursing Care, opined, ‘Unusual times require unusual solutions.’ In view of this, he suggested that families should consider celebrating in ‘shifts’ to avoid spreading the virus to the vulnerable.
Frédérique Jacobs, a renowned Belgian doctor, was in fact echoing Andreas when he proposed that in order ‘to slow down the curve, we have to imagine different holidays.’ He stated that Christmas should be postponed to July or August. Jacobs’ ideas are a rebuttal to the fact that the celebrations go beyond Christmas. Even if we must postpone Christmas, do we postpone to the New Year?
On the other hand, the Christmas period means more money for some people and their businesses. Many people rely on the holiday for a spike in sales, but given the impact of the pandemic on businesses, as well as the global economy, both buyers and sellers will be affected. In Nigeria, the current hike in food prices, electricity tarrif, transportation and other services, is a great discouragement to the purchasing prowess of Nigerians. The situation is further compounded as the PTF tells Nigerians not to expect a relaxation of the COVID19 prevention guidelines during Christmas. This means that all the guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus remain and will be enforced.
As the world approaches yet another festive season, it comes with a lot of fears with no hope of allaying them, except for the guidelines put in place which in itself defeats the entire purpose of the celebrations. People therefore have the choice of taking their lives into their hands.