The festive season is upon us. This is the period when many take time off to reconnect with friends and family to celebrate the end of the year.

By all means, 2020 has been a difficult year, and many if not the entire global community, cannot wait to see the end of it because of Covid-19 and its affiliated challenges; social and economic.

This may therefore lead to many feeling the need to celebrate the end of what has been a difficult year, and thereby end up exposing ourselves and loved ones to the virus.

Like government officials, including the Minister of Health have said this past week, we are in a very difficult position as far as the virus is concerned. In fact, more difficult than we have ever been since the virus was first reported in the country in March this year.

According to the health ministry, not only are daily cases and fatalities increasing, but the number of critically sick has also increased, outstretching the available medical facilities.

Equally important to note is that among the fatalities, we have a much younger population, some of them with no underlying conditions, which is a worrisome trend.

It is therefore important to take personal responsibility as we head into the festive season, well knowing that this is the only plausible weapon against the pandemic. 

Business operators, especially those in the hospitality industry, who had looked forward to this season to cash in, probably to make up for the opportunity that has eluded them for much of the year, should take charge and ensure the season does not become a super spreader.

Already, we have seen grim examples in the United States, where health facilities are stretched to their limits due to the spread of the virus that is linked to the Thanksgiving holiday that was celebrated towards the end of November. 

Let us not have a situation where our hospitals cannot handle critically ill cases.

Family gatherings and meeting up with friends to enjoy, which are all normal occurrences during the festive season can be put off for the sake of containing the virus.

There is a glimmer of hope with the discovery of the vaccine but before we get it, let us help our health workers protect us.