11-19-2020, 08:49 AM
Coronavirus: Christmas socialising poses 'substantial risks' - scientist
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Households socialising at จุดเปลี่ยนเกมสล็อต Christmas poses "substantial risks" with the mixing of younger and
older generations, a scientist advising the government has warned.
Prof Andrew Hayward said there would be a "cost" to festive mingling.
It comes as ministers are looking at how to relax restrictions so families can celebrate Christmas together.
Scientists have said that for every day measures are eased, five days of tighter restrictions would be needed.
Prof Hayward, a professor of infectious disease epidemiology at University College London, said:
"Mixing at Christmas does pose substantial risks, particularly in terms of bringing together generations with high
incidence of infection with the older generations who currently have much lower levels of infection and are at
most risk of dying if they catch Covid."
Speaking in a personal capacity, Prof Hayward - a member of the government's Scientific Advisory Group for
Emergencies - told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "My personal view is we're putting far too much emphasis
on having a near-normal Christmas.
"We know respiratory infections peak in January so throwing fuel on the fire over Christmas can only contribute
to this."
Prof Hayward said messaging had not been consistent.
He said: "When policy is undulating between stay at home to save lives, eat out to help out, the tier system,
the second lockdown and now proposals for an amnesty on social distancing - it is a highly inconsistent
message.
"The things people need to do to stay safe and keep their loved ones safe are relatively simple - avoid, as far
as possible, close contact with people outside your household, avoid crowded places and protect the most
vulnerable by not putting them at unnecessary risk."
His warning comes after Public Health England's Dr Susan Hopkins said on Wednesday that tough restrictions
might be needed before and after the holiday to allow mixing to take place.
Dr Hopkins, the government's medical adviser on Covid, said they were working on a plan and wanted Christmas
to be "as close to normal as possible".
All four UK nations - England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - are trying to work out a common approach
to Christmas so families spread across the UK can still meet up.
Households socialising at จุดเปลี่ยนเกมสล็อต Christmas poses "substantial risks" with the mixing of younger and
older generations, a scientist advising the government has warned.
Prof Andrew Hayward said there would be a "cost" to festive mingling.
It comes as ministers are looking at how to relax restrictions so families can celebrate Christmas together.
Scientists have said that for every day measures are eased, five days of tighter restrictions would be needed.
Prof Hayward, a professor of infectious disease epidemiology at University College London, said:
"Mixing at Christmas does pose substantial risks, particularly in terms of bringing together generations with high
incidence of infection with the older generations who currently have much lower levels of infection and are at
most risk of dying if they catch Covid."
Speaking in a personal capacity, Prof Hayward - a member of the government's Scientific Advisory Group for
Emergencies - told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "My personal view is we're putting far too much emphasis
on having a near-normal Christmas.
"We know respiratory infections peak in January so throwing fuel on the fire over Christmas can only contribute
to this."
Prof Hayward said messaging had not been consistent.
He said: "When policy is undulating between stay at home to save lives, eat out to help out, the tier system,
the second lockdown and now proposals for an amnesty on social distancing - it is a highly inconsistent
message.
"The things people need to do to stay safe and keep their loved ones safe are relatively simple - avoid, as far
as possible, close contact with people outside your household, avoid crowded places and protect the most
vulnerable by not putting them at unnecessary risk."
His warning comes after Public Health England's Dr Susan Hopkins said on Wednesday that tough restrictions
might be needed before and after the holiday to allow mixing to take place.
Dr Hopkins, the government's medical adviser on Covid, said they were working on a plan and wanted Christmas
to be "as close to normal as possible".
All four UK nations - England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - are trying to work out a common approach
to Christmas so families spread across the UK can still meet up.