Despite maintaining the possibility of assembling to 10 people, announced by Prime Minister François Legault on Wednesday evening, many Quebecers are considering reviewing their plans for Christmas. The duty asked experts what to weigh in order to make informed choices.
What to consider: instructions for use
Immunization status. Be fully vaccinated and inquire about the status of the guests.
Examine his recent social contacts. “Ideally, we haven’t seen anyone for a week without wearing a mask, except our family bubble,” illustrates Dr. Caroline Quach-Thanh, microbiologist-infectious disease specialist at the Sainte-Justine University Hospital Center. If you still have time before a gathering, reduce your contacts to a minimum.
Make sure you have no symptoms. Even a “itchy throat” should be considered a symptom, she continues. “We must not forget that we are contagious in the two days before the symptoms,” she recalls.
Take a quick test. If you’ve managed to get hold of it, you can test yourself “as close as possible to when you see other people inside,” recommends Dr. Quach-Thanh.
If the rapid test is positive, you must of course isolate yourself for at least 10 days from the onset of symptoms. If the test is negative, but some symptoms are still present, this specialist advises to stay at home.
Considering the limited number of these tests, the National Director of Public Health of Quebec Horacio Arruda asked on Wednesday to reserve them for people who present symptoms.
How to reduce the risks?
Smaller gatherings. “The line of action is simple: the fewer people in the same place for the family reunion, the better,” says virologist Benoit Barbeau.
Wear a mask and practice social distancing, as Prime Minister François Legault recalled during his announcement.
Ventilation. The virus is transmitted by aerosols. A “movement of air” such as an open window can therefore prevent them from stagnating in a room, adds the specialist. Also choose the largest rooms and the largest high ceilings available.
To go out. Take a walk, have a drink or have a snack outside, why not “maximize outdoor activities”, also suggests Mr. Barbeau. The risk of being contaminated outdoors is much less than within four walls.
Decrease the number of events. “You have to be aware that the frequency of meetings can also play a role,” says this professor.
Should we avoid seeing vulnerable people?
Several elderly people or more at risk have already received a booster dose, but it takes at least 10 days for it to be “fully effective”, specifies the virologist.
“You always have to ask yourself: if I ever expose someone despite my precautions, will I be able to live with the consequences? ”, Also suggests Dr. Quach-Thanh. The risks are never zero, adds his colleague, but “you can create a more favorable context”.
Can I spread the virus even though I am fully vaccinated?
“Yes, because it is no longer sufficient with Omicron” warns Dr. Caroline Quach-Thanh. Even people infected with Delta or a previous variant earlier at the onset of the pandemic have clear risks of reinfection.
The vaccine was more effective against previous versions of the virus and partly remains so against serious complications; but the personnel of the health system fall ill, she notes directly in her work environment and it is therefore necessary “to fear the load shedding”.