advice for grandparents to better protect themselves

The Ministry of Health has just called for caution before the All Saints holidays. Here are some tips for your family reunions, and especially for grandparents, who remain more vulnerable.

On Thursday, October 8, 2020, Olivier Véran expressed himself in these terms as the All Saints holidays approached: "If you want to receive friends, even if you receive your family, your children, your grandchildren, you must keep a distance. You must wear the mask and be extremely careful around you. Unfortunately, sometimes you come across a person who was contagious without knowing it and to find himself, a few days or a few weeks later, in the hospital ", insisted the Minister of Health.
In an opinion of July 23, the High Council of Public Health had indicated that age was a risk factor for a severe form of Covid-19, particularly, in those 70 and over.

Here are some tips to avoid catching the disease, essential for seniors …

1. Harborwear a mask and avoid hugs

First barrier gesture easy to hear: avoid hugs. Less easy to apply, however, especially when we haven't seen each other for a long time! Then be cunning with other signs of tenderness to say hello: a Japanese-style hello by tilting your upper body, a "check" of the elbow or feet if you are a balancing act… There is no shortage of ideas! The kiss should be avoided, because it strongly transmits the coronavirus, through touch and possible postilions. Masks should be worn when you cannot have enough physical distance between yourself and other people. And don't forget that while fabric versions, especially cotton masks, need to be washed, they are still more comfortable to be worn for a long time.

2. Avoid overcrowded rooms.

Holidays are an opportunity to reunite the family. However, large meetings are a source of contamination, especially on colder days. Indeed, indoors, if a person is infected with Covid19 and does not wear a mask, transmission is by aerosols. That is, the exhaled air contains microscopic droplets that can transmit the disease. This is also why doctors insist on the importance of ventilating rooms as much as possible. Rather than bringing everyone together at once, make the fun last, by organizing several small family reunions in small groups!

3. Fpay attention during the week before seeing each other.

No need to be tested if you do not feel symptoms, according to doctor Matthieu Revest, interviewed by Ouest France: "It doesn't make sense, you can't get everyone tested all the time", explains the specialist. However, if you know you are going to visit the grandparents, it is worth paying close attention to your social interactions the week before. It should also be remembered that prepubescent children are considered to be not very contagious.

Video by Clara Poudevigne