Don’t give Omicron for Christmas: Give a Silver Life Mask
Zoe Study 17th Dec 2021
Don’t give Omicron for Christmas: Give a Silver Life Mask
A few short weeks ago, we were all looking forward to a relatively normal holiday season. But then came a gift that was more unwelcome than a lump of coal in your Christmas stocking: the Omicron variant.
Now the variant is surging across the country, raising concerns that the NHS might soon be overwhelmed, here are our tips for a joyful, safe, and healthy festive season this year.
Know the symptoms
Although the official list only includes three official COVID symptoms (fever, cough, and loss of smell), we know that COVID can cause a huge variety of other symptoms, including a runny nose, sneezing, headache, and sore throat. This is the case for both the Delta and the now-dominant Omicron variants.
Some people do not experience any of the classic COVID symptoms and wrongly assume they have a cold when they are actually infected with COVID-19. Knowing the real symptoms of COVID can help you identify when you might be infected so you can avoid spreading it to other people.
Spread the word - not the virus - by sharing our handy visual guide with your friends and family.
Feeling ill? Stay home and get a test
Right now, we don’t have enough data yet to say whether the new Omicron variant results in different or more severe symptoms from earlier variants such as Alpha or Delta. So you can’t know for sure whether you have COVID or not, based on your symptoms alone.
If you are feeling under the weather, you should stay home and get tested to make sure you aren’t inadvertently spreading the virus along with your Christmas cheer.
Get boosted now
Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself against COVID-19. However, the UK Health Security Agency has warned that two vaccine doses may not be enough to protect against Omicron.
Early research has shown that getting a booster provides much better protection, so make sure you get your third jab when you are eligible. It’s also never too late to book in for your first vaccine dose if you haven’t already.
“Family gatherings will undoubtedly increase risk, especially for older and more vulnerable family members who haven’t yet had their third vaccine dose. Saving Christmas is up to us all, so make sure you get boosted now,” says our scientific founder, Professor Tim Spector.
Protect yourself and others
As well as being fully vaccinated, there are other ways to help stop the spread of the virus over the festive season, including ventilating rooms where people are gathering, wearing a mask, washing your hands and taking regular lateral flow tests.
Even if you feel that you aren’t personally at risk from COVID-19, you’ll be helping to protect those around you who may be more vulnerable.
Silver Life Masks - be part of the solution, not the problem.