COVID -19: House Parties?
Frankly we are all tired of COVID 19 and all the restrictions it has placed on our lives, from social distancing to wearing of uncomfortable masks and continuos wiping of surfaces and door handles plus the addition of hand sanitisers to our toiletry budget.
Most countries went on a compulsory and total lockdown and have just recently eased this lockdown by opening up public centres and Airports, however there are still many restrictions kept in place, one of which is the maximum amount of people allowed to be in a gathering at any one time. This applies to parties.
It would be hard for one to forget the outcry over Nollywood Actress, Funke Akindele who hosted a birthday party for her husband JJC skills in the thick of the Covid lockdown.
The real question now is is it safe to host house parties? What precautions can one take to safely host a party?
First let’s look at the activities involved in house parties
1. Being in a confined space:
It is quite difficult to continue to maintain 6 feet distance from everyone else in a confined space and a party mood, of course we know the virus is easily transmitted over short distances.
2. Sharing of food items
It is possible to get COVID-19 when you share food and drinks at a party. As we know COVID-19 – is present in droplets/ secretions from the mouth so if you’re all sharing a plate of fish and chips and an infected person bites into the chips, then dips it into the sauce, it is theoretically possible to spread the virus to others
3. Laughing, shouting and exchange of pleasantries
This is the perfect environment for spread of droplets from the nose and mouth between and among individuals
4. And in the Nigerian context, dancing and spraying of money
What is a good dance or money spray without some hugging?
What if you absolutely have to attend that house party?
- Don’t partake of anything shared from a common tray passed around
- Avoid picking food from other people’s plates
- Don’t share cups and straws
- Watch your alcohol intake as it may impair your judgement
- Wear your facemask throughout
- Find an excuse to leave after marking your presence.
Do you think it is time to resume house parties, or should we hold on a little longer?