Please leave a chair empty at this year's family Christmas dinner as a precaution, or face the possibility of having that chair empty forever.
That's the stark dilemma Belgium's prime minister has set to urge smaller festive family gatherings, as Europeans battle with containing the surging COVID-19 pandemic over the holiday season.
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Please leave a chair empty at this year's family Christmas dinner as a precaution, or face the possibility of having that chair empty forever.
Europe's nations are struggling to reconcile cold medical advice with a tradition that calls for big gatherings in often poorly ventilated rooms, where people chat, shout and sing together — providing an ideal conduit for a virus that has killed over 350,000 people in the continent so far. These weeks it is the No. 1 cause of death in the European Union.
“For the end of this year, I’d simply like the family whose name I proudly bear to be reunited, and things to progressively return to normal," wrote Alexis — Santa letters don't usually involve a surname.
Britain, with the continent's highest death rate at 57,031 yet a Christmas tradition unlike few others, could not resist the temptation of relaxation.
At the same time, hospital and care home staff across Europe feel that their many sacrifices could be in vain if rules are eased too much. After all, this fall's resurgence followed similar relaxations over the summer.
But even in her native Germany, led by the ultra-careful Angela Merkel, social considerations will prevail: A current restriction that limits private gatherings to five people from up to two households, not including children, will be allowed to double to 10 people over Christmas.
“It is about hundreds of thousands, millions of meetings of 10 people,” he warned. "And the impact can be enormous."
“If we let go too quickly, the virus will circulate again too quickly.”
The government is reportedly seeking to negotiate with Catholic officials to hold Christmas Eve religious celebrations earlier, before the 10 p.m. national curfew, though there’s also a proposal to extend the curfew to at least midnight around Christmastime.
So does the rest of Europe.
FILE - In this Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020 file photo, people walk in the historic Grand Place during the official lighting of the Christmas tree in Brussels. Nations are struggling to reconcile cold medical advice with a holiday tradition that calls for big gatherings in often poorly ventilated rooms, where people chat, shout and sing together, providing an ideal conduit for a virus that has killed over 350,000 people in Europe so far. (AP PhotoOlivier Matthys, File)
FILE - In this Saturday Oct. 17, 2020 file photo, people enjoy their last drinks on a crowded terrace in the center of Antwerp, Belgium prior after an announced lockdown to take place after the weekend. Nations are struggling to reconcile cold medical advice with a holiday tradition that calls for big gatherings in often poorly ventilated rooms, where people chat, shout and sing together, providing an ideal conduit for a virus that has killed over 350,000 people in Europe so far. (AP PhotoVirginia Mayo, file)
FILE - In this Friday, Nov. 20, 2020 file photo, a security guard stands outside an almost empty Christmas decorations shop, in Rome. Nations are struggling to reconcile cold medical advice with a holiday tradition that calls for big gatherings in often poorly ventilated rooms, where people chat, shout and sing together, providing an ideal conduit for a virus that has killed over 350,000 people in Europe so far. (AP PhotoAndrew Medichini, File)
FILE - In this Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020 file photo, a man waves at his camera phone during the switching-on of traditional Christmas lights in Madrid, Spain. People are waiting to see what restrictions will be in place over Christmas and the New Year as Spanish regions are continuing to adjust their various limitations against the coronavirus pandemic. (AP PhotoPaul White, File)
Alexander De Croo argued that the country's long-running, costly efforts should not be thrown away for the sake of a few warm and fuzzy hours exchanging gifts under the Christmas tree. “I would not want the progress of the past four weeks to be wasted because of four days,” he told legislators this week.
FILE - In this Monday, Nov. 23, 2020 file photo, a postal worker dressed as Santa, reads letters to addressed to "Pere Noel" - Father Christmas in French - decorated with love hearts, stickers and glitter, in Libourne, southwest France. Letters pouring by the tens of thousands into Santa's mailbox offer a glimpse into the worries and hopes of children awaiting a pandemic-hit Christmas. Along with usual pleas for toys and gadgets, kids are also mailing requests for vaccines, for visits from grandparents, for life to return to the way it was. (AP PhotoFrancois Mori, File)
Europe's nations are struggling to reconcile cold medical advice with a tradition that calls for big gatherings in often poorly ventilated rooms, where people chat, shout and sing together — providing an ideal conduit for a virus that has killed over 350,000 people in the continent so far. These weeks it is the No. 1 cause of death in the European Union.
Yet the desire for contact with family is such that all the horrible realities can be briefly sidelined. In France, it took a letter addressed to Santa Claus to put it in perspective.
A year of pandemic and lockdown had weighed so much on a 22-year-old student, that as a grown adult he rekindled his youth and wrote again to the jolly children's saint.
An empty chair is left in a hallway next to a Christmas tree in the COVID-19 ward at the St. Michiel Hospital in Brussels, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020. Nations are struggling to reconcile cold medical advice with a holiday tradition that calls for big gatherings in often poorly ventilated rooms, where people chat, shout and sing together, providing an ideal conduit for a virus that has killed over 350,000 people in Europe so far. (AP PhotoVirginia Mayo)
“For the end of this year, I’d simply like the family whose name I proudly bear to be reunited, and things to progressively return to normal," wrote Alexis — Santa letters don't usually involve a surname.
If families have not lost close ones to the pandemic, many have been unable to meet for much of the year when distancing had to do the job that, hopefully, vaccines will do in 2021. Often grandparents could not see their grandchildren, and family functions — even weddings or funerals — required minute planning and heart-wrenching choices on who would be excluded.
Hence the groundswell to hit the pause button, even for just a few days.
FILE - In this Monday, Nov. 2, 2020 file photo, two woman walk past closed Christmas market booths on a famous shopping road close to the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin, Germany. Nations are struggling to reconcile cold medical advice with a holiday tradition that calls for big gatherings in often poorly ventilated rooms, where people chat, shout and sing together, providing an ideal conduit for a virus that has killed over 350,000 people in Europe so far. (AP PhotoMichael Sohn, File)
Britain, with the continent's highest death rate at 57,031 yet a Christmas tradition unlike few others, could not resist the temptation of relaxation.
People are currently barred from visiting other households in much of the U.K and there are travel limits to high-infection areas.
All that will go overboard for five days over the holidays, when up to three households can form a “Christmas bubble” and members can move freely between them. Cabinet Minister Michael Gove spoke of the need to “offer hope for families and friends who have made many sacrifices over this difficult year."
FILE - In this Monday, June 22, 2020 file photo, Agustina Canamero, 81, and Pascual Perez, 84, hug and kiss through a plastic film screen to avoid contracting the new coronavirus at a nursing home in Barcelona, Spain. Nations are struggling to reconcile cold medical advice with a holiday tradition that calls for big gatherings in often poorly ventilated rooms, where people chat, shout and sing together, providing an ideal conduit for a virus that has killed over 350,000 people in Europe so far. (AP PhotoEmilio Morenatti, File)
At the same time, hospital and care home staff across Europe feel that their many sacrifices could be in vain if rules are eased too much. After all, this fall's resurgence followed similar relaxations over the summer.
Although the European Union has no direct say in national Christmas restrictions, EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, a former doctor, urged caution until vaccines become widely available.
“We must learn from the summer and not repeat the same mistakes," she said. "Relaxing too fast and too much risks a third wave after Christmas."
FILE - In this Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020 file photo, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, below, wears a face mask as she attends a parliament session about German government's policies to combat the spread of the coronavirus and COVID-19 disease at the parliament Bundestag, in Berlin, Germany. Nations are struggling to reconcile cold medical advice with a holiday tradition that calls for big gatherings in often poorly ventilated rooms, where people chat, shout and sing together, providing an ideal conduit for a virus that has killed over 350,000 people in Europe so far. (AP PhotoMarkus Schreiber, File)
But even in her native Germany, led by the ultra-careful Angela Merkel, social considerations will prevail: A current restriction that limits private gatherings to five people from up to two households, not including children, will be allowed to double to 10 people over Christmas.
Karl Lauterbach, a lawmaker from Merkel's coalition and epidemiology professor at the University of Cologne, said that “Christmas is of greater importance to people, therefore the planned easing of restrictions at Christmas is the right course.”
But many of Europe's scientists disagree. Steven Van Gucht, a virologist with Belgium's government health group Sciensano said Friday that Germany's Christmas rule is not about a reunion of 10 people.
FILE - In this Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020 file photo, people attend a protest rally in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany against the coronavirus restrictions in Germany. Nations are struggling to reconcile cold medical advice with a holiday tradition that calls for big gatherings in often poorly ventilated rooms, where people chat, shout and sing together, providing an ideal conduit for a virus that has killed over 350,000 people in Europe so far. (AP PhotoMichael Sohn, File)
“It is about hundreds of thousands, millions of meetings of 10 people,” he warned. "And the impact can be enormous."
So what can be done? Some counterintuitive suggestions emerge. Christmas dinner is possible — but with the core family in the dining room and grandparents in the kitchen, argues Dr. Remi Salomon, from the Paris hospital authority.
“Don’t eat with them. If I give the virus to Grandma and Grandpa, that’s the worst thing of all. How would I live with that afterward?” he told France-Info network.
FILE - In this Monday, Nov. 23, 2020 file photo, a man wearing face mask and gloves to protect against coronavirus carries purchases among as the GUM State Department store is decorated for Christmas and New Year celebrations in Moscow, Russia. Nations are struggling to reconcile cold medical advice with a holiday tradition that calls for big gatherings in often poorly ventilated rooms, where people chat, shout and sing together, providing an ideal conduit for a virus that has killed over 350,000 people in Europe so far. (AP PhotoPavel Golovkin, File)
“If we let go too quickly, the virus will circulate again too quickly.”
That's why Belgium's De Croo spun his dark allegory of empty chairs from his legislative pulpit. His nation of 11.5 million has been hard-hit, with over 16,000 deaths already. The country barely managed to keep its health system afloat by imposing curfews and closing bars, restaurants and nonessential shops.
Like Belgium, Italy, where the pandemic initially struck hard in Europe, is taking a hard line at Christmas. And a prime tradition is up for debate: Midnight Mass.
FILE - In this Monday, Nov. 23, 2020 file photo, people walk past the 'Terrarium Tree' in Coal Drops Yard, which forms part of the King's Cross neighbourhood of London's unconventional Christmas tree installations, during England's second coronavirus lockdown. Nations are struggling to reconcile cold medical advice with a holiday tradition that calls for big gatherings in often poorly ventilated rooms, where people chat, shout and sing together, providing an ideal conduit for a virus that has killed over 350,000 people in Europe so far. (AP PhotoMatt Dunham, FIle)
The government is reportedly seeking to negotiate with Catholic officials to hold Christmas Eve religious celebrations earlier, before the 10 p.m. national curfew, though there’s also a proposal to extend the curfew to at least midnight around Christmastime.
The Vatican hasn’t released its Christmas celebration schedule, but Pope Francis has celebrated Midnight Mass starting at 9 p.m. anyway for several years, and this year he's expected to do so before just a handful of worshippers.
What Christmas Eve will look like in Austria is still unclear, much depending on the success of a massive testing program in coming days. In Oberndorf, home of the world's most famous Christmas carol, they hope its lyrics will not be taken too literally. “Silent night! Holy night! All is calm."
FILE - In this Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020 file photo, a nun waits for Pope Francis' weekly general audience in San Damaso courtyard at the Vatican. Nations are struggling to reconcile cold medical advice with a holiday tradition that calls for big gatherings in often poorly ventilated rooms, where people chat, shout and sing together, providing an ideal conduit for a virus that has killed over 350,000 people in Europe so far. (AP PhotoAndrew Medichini, File)
So does the rest of Europe.
Angela Charlton and John Leicester in Paris, Dave Rising and Frank Jordans in Berlin and Nicole Winfield in Rome contributed.
Follow AP’s pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
FILE - In this Monday, Nov. 23, 2020 file photo, the traditional Christmas lights shine over closed shops in downtown Vienna, Austria. Nations are struggling to reconcile cold medical advice with a holiday tradition that calls for big gatherings in often poorly ventilated rooms, where people chat, shout and sing together, providing an ideal conduit for a virus that has killed over 350,000 people in Europe so far. (AP PhotoRonald Zak, File)
FILE - In this Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020 file photo, people walk in the historic Grand Place during the official lighting of the Christmas tree in Brussels. Nations are struggling to reconcile cold medical advice with a holiday tradition that calls for big gatherings in often poorly ventilated rooms, where people chat, shout and sing together, providing an ideal conduit for a virus that has killed over 350,000 people in Europe so far. (AP PhotoOlivier Matthys, File)
FILE - In this Saturday Oct. 17, 2020 file photo, people enjoy their last drinks on a crowded terrace in the center of Antwerp, Belgium prior after an announced lockdown to take place after the weekend. Nations are struggling to reconcile cold medical advice with a holiday tradition that calls for big gatherings in often poorly ventilated rooms, where people chat, shout and sing together, providing an ideal conduit for a virus that has killed over 350,000 people in Europe so far. (AP PhotoVirginia Mayo, file)
FILE - In this Friday, Nov. 20, 2020 file photo, a security guard stands outside an almost empty Christmas decorations shop, in Rome. Nations are struggling to reconcile cold medical advice with a holiday tradition that calls for big gatherings in often poorly ventilated rooms, where people chat, shout and sing together, providing an ideal conduit for a virus that has killed over 350,000 people in Europe so far. (AP PhotoAndrew Medichini, File)
FILE - In this Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020 file photo, a man waves at his camera phone during the switching-on of traditional Christmas lights in Madrid, Spain. People are waiting to see what restrictions will be in place over Christmas and the New Year as Spanish regions are continuing to adjust their various limitations against the coronavirus pandemic. (AP PhotoPaul White, File)