In order to have a safer Christmas, New Year and holiday season in the face of COVID-19, prevention measures supported by vaccination must be continued, assured Dr. Guillermo Torre, rector of TecSalud.

"Our country is paralyzed from December 12 to January 6. We are social and we want family, friends, religion. We want to protect ourselves and we want to live together," said Dr. Torre.

Given the appearance of the Ómicron variant of the virus, as well as the arrival of winter, the Tec de Monterrey Vice President of Research also shared these measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infections."

1.- Get vaccinated against COVID-19

Whether or not you are going to attend meetings this season, seek to have a complete vaccination schedule, especially if you belong to a vulnerable group, such as be over 60 years of age or have some comorbidity, such as diabetes or hypertension.

"(We must) increase vaccination, have complete vaccination schedules," said Dr. Torre.

Currently, the case of an additional dose or booster is also recommended.

He added that since vaccination began they have not had any TecSalud collaborator hospitalized for COVID.

"No one hospitalized. For me that is strong proof that the vaccine works."

2.- Seek to gather in open spaces (COVID-19 is an indoor epidemic)

COVID-19 is transmitted mainly through the air that you breathe or that enters your mouth.

The virus is spread when invisible particles with the SARS-CoV-2 virus enter our nose, mouth, and to a lesser extent, our eyes.

For this, in the air you are breathing there must be this viral load from someone in your environment who is infected (even if they do not know it and do not have symptoms).

"Try to socialize in open spaces as much as possible," said Dr. Torre.

3.- If you are in a closed space: ventilation and small groups

With diseases like COVID, the more closed and less ventilated a place is and the more people with little distance, the more risk in the air that is breathed.

Also, in any meeting, try to have as few people as possible.

"Smaller groups, ventilated spaces, having some distance, and if you are a vulnerable person, avoid risky situations more than others," said Dr. Torre.

As much as possible, avoid spending a lot of time in closed spaces, or try to have doors and/or windows open to have air circulation.

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4.- Use the mask correctly

Dr. Torre emphasized that a basic measure is the correct use of the mask.

"Use a face mask or mask, to be able to include the nose," said Dr. Torre.

The mask must be snug and cover the bridge of the nose well and cover 2 or 3 finger widths below the lips. If you wear glasses and they fog up, there isn't a proper seal. If it's a N95-type mask, it's a good fit if it expands when you inhale and exhale.

It is recommended to use double face masks for greater protection.

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And if you're already vaccinated, you should still wear a face mask, to prevent you from getting it.

5.- Keep your distance and avoid physical contact

The measure of social distance is at least 1.5 meters between person and person.

Avoid shaking hands, kissing or giving hugs with people who do not live under the same roof. You can use your elbows, fists or feet as forms of greeting.

If you have to sneeze or cough, use "sneeze etiquette." Don't do it on your hands or air.

6.- Wash your hands frequently

Constant washing with soap and water for a minimum of 40 to 60 seconds is recommended, or use 70% alcohol-based antibacterial gel.

Dr. Torre stressed that hand washing does work along with all prevention measures.

"The mask works, emphasizing hand washing (it works), even in a context of high risk of exposure, that is very important to emphasize," he said.

7.- Avoid going to crowded places

As much as possible, avoid going to places where there is a large concentration of people, especially in closed places.

A study shows that the transmission of COVID rises in places where people talk loudly, shout or sing, such as concerts or sporting events.

8.- Get vaccinated against influenza

An additional measure this season is to get vaccinated against influenza this season, said Dr. Michel Martínez, head of TecSalud's Epidemiological Surveillance Unit.

"(Getting a flu shot) removes that distracting factor of an upper and lower respiratory infection that could confuse whether it's COVID-19 or not," Dr. Martinez said.

It can be applied at the same time as the anti-COVID vaccine, but it is recommended that it be in a different arm.

9.- If you have any symptoms, stay at home

As much as possible, avoid going to meetings this season, especially if you have any suspicious symptoms of COVID, said Dr. Reynaldo Lara , TecSalud infectious disease doctor.

"If I have any symptoms, if I have any discomfort, I have to take care of my loved ones. That is the most important thing, the awareness of how I am going to take care of those around me this season," said Dr. Lara.

9.- Seek medical help if you suspect you have been infected

People who have a fever, headache, general malaise, loss of smell and taste, or diarrhea are suspected of being infected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, said Dr. Lara.

Given this, medical help should be sought to determine if a COVID-19 screening test is necessary.

"An early and timely diagnosis of COVID allows certain decisions to be made, such as monitoring their oxygenation levels and establishing precautions in people," he said.

10.- Be socially responsible to avoid contagion

Following these prevention measures, as well as isolating yourself or getting a test if you suspect you are infected with COVID-19, has repercussions at a social level, he mentioned Dr. Lara.

"(Following these measures) is the way in which we are going to protect our co-workers, our friends, our family. I invite you to take care of yourself and your loved ones," he invited.

"If we maintain more prudence and vigilance of (the prevention measures) that we have talked about for 2 years, people can protect themselves from Ómicron or any other variant of COVID", concluded Dr. Torre.

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