New Year’s Eve parties are a ‘Covid-19 dream’. See why they can be especially dangerous

New Year’s Eve parties are a ‘Covid-19 dream’. See why they can be especially dangerous

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“Practically speaking, what that means is that if you go to a party with five or more people, there will almost certainly be someone with Covid-19 at that party.”

Any meeting with people outside your special bubble is risky. But there are several reasons why New Year’s parties can be especially dangerous:

Scientists now know that the coronavirus “can stay in the air for minutes to hours,” said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“These viruses can infect people who are more than 6 feet away from the infected person or after that person has left the site.”

Guests may not wear masks all the time: Whether they are toasting champagne at midnight or nibbling snacks all night, partygoers will likely take off their masks – if they are wearing one.

A new mask allows people to drink without removing their masks
Even if the event is small, anyone outside of their bubble of social detachment can be infected or infect others.

“If you have a party in your neighborhood, or if you just invite a few friends, the risk is very high,” said Hotez.

Young people may think they are invincible: Even young, previously healthy people, suffered long-term complications from Covid-19.

“We see serious illness among healthy young adults, with no apparent underlying causes,” said Hotez.

“Whether due to … a higher dose of the virus, if they have genetic changes that they don’t know about – we just don’t understand. So we can’t safely predict who will handle this virus well, and who doesn’t.”

Covid-19 can be a prolonged illness, even for young adults, says the CDC
Some young people experienced long-term brain fog, difficulty breathing and extreme fatigue months after infection.

Other complications may include “long-term vascular injury, cardiovascular injury, lung injury, neurological effects and also cognitive impairments,” said Hotez.

Younger people are generally more asymptomatic than older people. But this presents another problem: the risk of spreading the coronavirus to many people without knowing it.

Partygoers can sing or shout: Singing and screaming can be dangerously effective ways to launch the coronavirus into the air.

In Washington State, for example, 53 members of a choir fell ill (and two people died) after one member attended rehearsals and then tested positive for Covid-19.

New Year’s parties are ‘a Covid-19 dream’

Because the coronavirus is highly contagious, “it doesn’t take much to get out of control,” said Hotez.

Why the coronavirus can stay and travel more than 6 feet - especially indoors
“The loud voices to make your voice heard over the music. The lack of masks. The fact that they are indoors. The fact that people are drinking alcohol, so they can be closer to each other than usual. This New Year’s Eve parties are made perfectly for SARS-CoV-2, “or the scientific name for the new coronavirus.

“This is Covid-19’s dream for the virus, unfortunately,” said Hotez.

“All of these reasons are important reasons why we shouldn’t be meeting this New Year’s Eve.”

Is there any way to celebrate the new year safely?

“Yes, absolutely – who are you socializing with,” said Hotez.
The CDC has a long list of ideas on how to safely celebrate the New Year. Between them:

– Have a virtual party with friends and celebrate the countdown together.

Do you want to go out with some friends (without a mask) this winter? Make a Covid-19 Bubble

– Plan a neighborhood countdown until midnight. Neighbors can go out and cheer in front of their homes.

– Choose a special meal at a local restaurant to share with your family.

– Watch the celebrations on TV or online.

– Call, send a text message or leave voice messages for friends and family wishing a happy new year.

If you already have plans for a big party, don’t be afraid to cancel them to ensure a healthy start to 2021.

“It’s okay if you decide to postpone or cancel your meeting,” says the CDC. “Do what is best for you.”

And don’t worry, this is probably the last time health experts will beg you to crouch for New Year’s Eve.

“As soon as we start getting vaccinated, we will be in a much better position by the middle of next year,” said Hotez. “And we can have a much happier 2022 New Year.”

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