“I have already received my full vaccine series, thanks to my old age, I was one of the first to receive the vaccine.” ~ Santa Claus, in the Barents Observer, Rovaniemi, Finland

“Have yourself a merry little Christmas, let your heart be light
Next year all our troubles will be out of sight…” “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”

“The way you spend Christmas is far more important than how much.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

                                       

It’s Beginning To Look A Bit Like Christmas                                                                                                  (Parody to the melody of Its Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

It’s beginning to look a bit like Christmas
And COVID’s still here
We can solve this easily, by behaving reas’nably
By getting vaxxed and boosted, that is clear.

It’s beginning to look a bit like Christmas
Rush to ev’ry store
But maybe we will be spreading way more illness than good cheer
While statistics soar.

We long to be with our friends, and wish this scourge would end
While we do ev’rything we can
To get our vax and not be so lax

It’s the hope of everyone

That the kids are able to stay in school so we can plan!                                                                                            

It’s beginning to look a bit like Christmas
And we have to be
Careful as we begin to ease into this time of peace
So next year of this virus we can be free

It’s beginning to look a bit like Christmas
With a caveat
We have to gather smart, and listen to what our heart
Tells us how to act.

It’s beginning to look a bit like Christmas
Rush to ev’ry store
But maybe we’ll be spreading way more illness than good cheer 
As statistics soar.

Yes, it’s Christmas once more.

To Have A Happy Holiday Season…

The magic of the holiday season opens our hearts and minds to thinking more about others than ourselves. The human race trends toward the philosophy of “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Traditionally, we have helped to stock local food pantries and toy drives, and generally reaching out more than ever to help others. This year, we must add getting vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 and its variants, not just to protect ourselves but to save the lives and quality of life for millions. Survivors can also experience long-term and even lifelong devastating symptoms and conditions.

Because more than half the world is still unvaccinated, and 40% in U.S. still unvaccinated, COVID-19 continues to spread and replicate, with Omicron the latest variant to join Delta and others. The best course of action to protect ourselves and others is to get vaccinated and boosted and observe the tried-and-true best practices — masking, hand sanitizing and social distancing. As well, avoiding crowds remains important, so it’s advisable to rethink shopping in stores, traveling or attending parties and other gatherings.

While the economy is actually booming in many quarters, and people generally are better off than they were last year, fresh concerns about the pandemic and resulting global inflation and supply chain slow-downs are putting a damper on holiday festivities. But, again — and it cannot be stated often enough — we can all help keep those situations from getting out of hand by ending the pandemic, and that means getting fully vaccinated and then, depending on the original vaccine received, two to six months afterward getting a booster shot.

As Americans, If we have the will we have the power to stop these destructive forces to our individual and national health and economics. In the U.S., we have enough vaccine to inoculate and booster everyone. But as this is a global effort, the U.S. and other wealthy nations must ensure that poorer nations receive enough vaccine for their people, as well.  

We have made a lot of progress since last year. Working together, we will succeed in getting through this historic and lingering crisis.

Meanwhile, I wish everyone a happy holiday season from now until New Year’s as we celebrate Hanukkah (Nov. 28-Dec. 6), Winter Solstice (Dec. 21), Christmas (Dec. 24 & 25), and Kwanzaa (Dec. 26 – Jan. 1). Cherish your family and friends. Be kind to your neighbors and strangers. Be well, safe and happy. And don’t go crazy over the material things. The best gift you can give to your family and others is your healthy, considerate, creative and responsible self.

Until next year,

Jeanne

PREVIOUS POSTS ON THE HOLIDAY SEASON:

HOLIDAY DIVERSITY

CHRISTMAS MOVIES TO WATCH AND CELEBRATE

HOW THE GRINCH CAN STEAL CHRISTMAS CREEP

CHRISTMAS CAROLING ETIQUETTE

HOLIDAY SEASON 2015 – “POLITICALLY CORRECT” = DECENCY AND RESPECT

KWANZAA ETIQUETTE

HANUKKAH ETIQUETTE

HOLIDAY ETIQUETTE REMINDERS

YES, VIRGINIA, THERE IS A BLACK FRIDAY

DECK THE HALLS WITHOUT THE FOLLY

BLACK FRIDAY ETIQUETTE

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

DECEMBER HOLIDAYS

HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING

THE HOLIDAY OFFICE PARTY