This year, people are really having a tough time letting go of some of our most cherished traditions. But for safety's sake, it's best that we do. Still, in many cities and towns across the country, proper precautions aren't being taken to ensure the spread of the coronavirus is slowed until a vaccine becomes available to all.
In an unfortunate and rather shocking incident, a couple who played Santa and Mrs. Claus at an event in Georgia tested positive for the virus just two days after the event. It's unsettling because the actors were around more than 50 children at the event. That puts not only those kids at risk but their entire families, as well.
We don't know a lot about the couple or what their current symptoms are. But we do know that they tested positive for COVID-19 just two days after the event took place. About 55 kids were in close proximity to the couple.
The event, which seems like it went off without any regard to the pandemic, was a parade followed by a tree lighting. During that time, kids had the opportunity to meet with Santa and Mrs. Claus to let them know what they would like for Christmas.
Now that it's come out that the couple has tested positive, of course, there is concern in the area. Long County Board of Commissioners Chairman Robert Parker said that the event was "well attended." But he doesn't want people to panic.
He took to Facebook to share the news about the positive test results of Santa and Mrs. Claus. In a lengthy note, he wrote: "On Thursday December 10th the Long County Chamber of Commerce held it's annual Christmas parade in Ludowici. The event was followed by a tree lighting and an opportunity for children to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Old Well. The events were well attended and roughly 50 children had their picture taken with Santa. It has now been brought to the attention of the Chamber of Commerce, as well as my office, that after the event both 'Santa' and 'Mrs. Claus' were tested for the COVID 19 virus and both received positive test results."
He continued: "They were not displaying any symptoms at the time of the event. While this is cause for concern, I feel that it is important to note that exposures happen every day as we go about our day to day lives, often without any knowledge. Children are in close contact with both other children and adults daily at school, rec functions, and church. Proper CDC exposure guidelines should be followed if your child was exposed, however I do not feel this incident is cause for panic."
Wow. Way to downplay the seriousness of the incident. Of course, exposures can happen even if we take all the proper precautions. That doesn't change the fact that in this case, precautions weren't taken. Officials chose to hold a Christmas event in the middle of a pandemic. Now it's clear that hundreds, if not thousands, of people were put at risk.
Listen, we're all missing out on certain events this year. And it's hard! No one is saying it isn't. But to carry on like it's business as usual when it could very well cost people their lives isn't just irresponsible, it's selfish. Telling people to calm down and not worry feels like salt in the wound.
Sadly, this isn't the first time someone playing Santa was diagnosed with COVID-19. Just last month, a North Carolina man known as “Santa Jim” died of the virus. It's heartbreaking to hear about. But it's even more unsettling that people seem set on carrying on with Christmas traditions, no matter the consequences.
Hopefully, no one who encountered the Georgia Santa and Mrs. Claus will become seriously ill. But if we don't learn from these kinds of events, then we have no one to blame. The pandemic has taken an ugly turn in recent months, and the numbers are still climbing. Experts say we're in for a long, hard winter and thousands more deaths.
The time to act is now. But if our leaders don't set a good example and urge safety over tradition, the greater public will fail to do the same. Right now, we all need to follow the guidelines, play it safe, and keep those who are at higher risk in mind.
