Even with all the hope the first vaccine jabs bring, Dr. Anthony Fauci wants to remind everyone that now is not the time to stop taking precautions when it comes to COVID-19. Unfortunately, that means keeping Christmas to your household and your household alone. Dr. Fauci isn’t just asking us to do it, he’s living it. Dr. Fauci and his wife, Christine Grady, will not see their three daughters for the first time since they were born, a double blow since Dr. Fauci’s birthday is Christmas Eve. But, he said if we all behave this year, we can expect to celebrate large next Christmas, so we just have to suck it up.
Dr. Anthony Fauci is keeping his Christmas gathering small this year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and he’s urging other Americans to do the same.
Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease specialist, said in a recent interview with The Washington Post’s “Power Up” newsletter that he and his wife, Christine Grady, are not seeing their three adult daughters — Megan, Alison and Jennifer — on Christmas for the first time since their births.
“I’m going to be with my wife — period,” Fauci, 79, said. “The Christmas holiday is a special holiday for us because Christmas Eve is my birthday. And Christmas Day is Christmas Day. And they are not going to come home … That’s painful. We don’t like that. But that’s just one of the things you’re going to have to accept as we go through this unprecedented challenging time.”
With the U.S. experiencing record-number cases of COVID-19 and hospitalizations, Fauci pleaded for Americans to take the necessary precautions during the holidays.
“Stay at home as much as you can, keep your interactions to the extent possible to members of the same household,” he said. “This cannot be business as usual this Christmas because we’re already in a very difficult situation, and we’re going to make it worse, if we don’t do something about it.”
Although the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is an “unusual situation,” Fauci went on to note that “it’s not going to last forever.”
“It is highly likely that with vaccines being distributed, that we will be back to normal by next Christmas,” he said. “So make the choice and keep yourself and your family healthy so that you’ll have many more Christmases ahead of you.”
First of all, I love that Dr. Fauci is putting this out there. I have to believe he was in the front of the line for vaccines, as I am hopeful our new president and vice president will be. The public needs to see the people in power leading by example. If anyone knows a safe way to gather, it would be the Fauci family but clearly, the only true safe way to celebrate this year is to stay apart. And this is especially important considering that the virus hit close to home for them. The brother of his youngest daughter’s boyfriend, who was 32 and in great shape, died from complications and it left both families heartbroken.
There is no question that this pandemic has taken a toll on everyone. It’s taken from us emotionally, physically, financially, psychologically – the list goes on. But just because we are all ready for the pain and strife of this ordeal to be over, doesn’t mean it is over. I was desperate for a joyous Christmas that included my parents. That got cancelled when California’s numbers skyrocketed. My parents are so depressed, they can’t even fake it on phone calls. My son, who really has tried his best through all this, hit a wall this week. He broke down, saying he needed it all to end and just couldn’t do it anymore. You could almost hear my heart snap. My daughter had to decline another g-d in-person birthday invitation this weekend because we said absolutely not. I’m not here to brightside this for you, there is no question that all of this sucks. But just yesterday, I read the headline, “1 in every 8- LA residents Infected No End in Sight for Disastrous Surge.” That’s the reality. And no matter how much I want to force the Christmas spirit into our world right now, I can’t. So, I’ll have to accept what I do have, which currently is four healthy family members under my roof and honestly – that’s everything this year.
Photo credit: Avalon and S&B Vonlanthen on Unsplash
I just love that photo of Dr Fauci and Rep. Maxine Waters. I just do.
And you know what, this could have been avoided. Basic, common sense practices could have decreased the damage but Muh Freedoms.
People showed who they are and I will never forgive them.
Yes, me neither. Never.
Agreed. Watching this happen in real time, as people refused to contain their parties over Memorial Day weekend, was maddening. Reasoning was impossible…it was like screaming into a void.
People just did not care that this would mean no school in the fall, no holidays, more economic hardship. The selfishness is mind blowing.
I’ve actually had to stop reading a lot of that kind of news, and limit my social media time, because it’s so infuriating. Especially when we’re so close with the vaccines.
BTW, the dr’s “kids” are likely in their 50s or 60s.
He’s 80!
So he may not have wanted to mention it, but they may be old enough to be vulnerable to the virus. Though w/his genes they’re likely in great shape.
I totally agree that we all should be staying home as much as humanly possible (whether it’s here in Canada or there in the US) and when we have to go out we wear masks and so on.
I just get frustrated sometimes when people tell me “oh, celebrate with those in your household, it’s only one year, it won’t be that bad.” I live alone so there is no-one else in my ‘household’, not even a freaking cat. I already spent my birthday alone, as well as Canadian Thanksgiving, and I am tired. The other day I started crying for no reason at all, and that’s so unlike me that I kind of freaked myself out a bit, lol. So I do understand what Fauci is saying, and I don’t disagree, but it’s not that simple for everyone out there.
LadyMTL…fellow single-person here! Crying all the time too. I’m getting ready to celebrate my birthday alone on Saturday and even though I have a dog and crabby cat, I am so damn lonely. Spent thanksgiving alone, going to spend entire holiday season on my own. While I’m not super social in my normal life, but I’m a hell of a lot more social than this. I’m a nurse and I’m doing the right thing and my parents, friends and siblings are toeing the line as well. It’s not easy. Not one bit easy. As a side note, one of my home health patients was gloating about their big upcoming super spreader Christmas by pointing out 30 stockings on the fireplace mantle. So besides crying, I’m also raging at careless idiots!
Oh I’m sorry, I feel this so much. After a while it really gets to you reading tweets like “WE’RE staying home this year you should too”. The WE being key. No thought whatsoever to single-person households. Everyone is a we in the telling of it. I have had to tamp down from really ripping into people, but I try and imagine they don’t mean it, they are just not thinking. It gets old though. It’s old everyone. It’s old.
LadyMTL, Virtual hugs to you. Same to you, Skyblue and Darla.
I just listened to this podcast, https://www.lemonadamedia.com/podcast/toolkit-how-to-build-a-bubble/ and they have some good suggestions for a person living alone to enter a bubble. Hopefully you can find someone to safely join and have a happy holiday season.
Thanks beccab! I am really lucky that my mom is in my bubble, and my bff just moved in with me for unrelated reasons, and her mother is in her bubble. So the four of us are pretty safe we feel, as you can be anyway. We are doing Christmas Eve together, I am doing the Italian fish thing as that is how I was raised. I am very excited. This is the first normalcy I’ve had. It’s been a very lonely year, but that’s turned around for me now. I am very grateful, but I can also still really deeply relate to those whose year of alone hasn’t ended yet. I really hope we can all find someone to bubble with to have a holiday. It’s just awful.
I feel you! I also live alone and it’s like people forget that not everyone is quarantining with family. I fortunately will see my parents for Christmas, as I’ve been working remotely and literally don’t go anywhere. But most of the time, I’m alone. And I’m lucky – I’m an introverted only child who is good at entertaining herself and likes being alone. But this is a lot.
Meanwhile, there are people having freaking “Friendsgiving” and all that other BS when I barely see other humans. It enrages me. I see ONE friend every couple months, outside, masked up and distanced.
Ohhh yes, same, have not been around people since last winter. I don’t think folks who are isolating with their families quite understand what it’s like to do it solo. It does a number on your mental health. However I do think it’s better to be alone than, for example, to be trapped with someone abusive. And although it’s very hard, cases have been soaring and I’m happy, maybe that’s not quite the word but I’m resolved to do my part (though I see others around not doing theirs). Don’t know what province you’re in but is there any relaxing of the rules for single person households? Anyway hang in there, you’re alone but not alone as there are many of us in the same boat! xx
Hi LadyMtl,
I take it from your name that you’re from Montreal?
If so, than there are exceptions in Quebec’s gathering policy for people living alone. You are allowed to visit 1 family bubble. The ultimate goal is of course to lessen the number of contacts between people, but the government also understands that the pandemic is really hard for people living alone, especially around the holidays. So, if your have family or friends in the city, and that you & they are willing to visit, you can.
I don’t know about the policies in the other province, so sorry if your username misled me.
I know it’s super tough right now, and it wan’t get any easier in the coming days & weeks, but hang in there. And if you can’t visit people IRL, reach out & plan virtual hangouts.
xoxo
Isabelle
Thank you for the kind words, everyone, it means a lot! I am sending virtual hugs and chocolates to everyone, hahaha.
@Isabelle I do indeed live in Montreal! I did hear that the government is relaxing the rules for us singletons, so it does give me a tiny gleam of hope. I am looking into going to visit my mom on Christmas though it’s going to depend on what she feels comfortable with (she’s a senior and is diabetic.) I’m normally not so gloomy about all of this, I think I’m just fed up…like all of us! 😛
xxx
I hope he has been vaccinated, we need his leadership for the foreseeable future.
I’m doing Christmas with my parents, but I live alone, work from home, and they’re the only people I’ve gotten together with. My office is doing a virtual holiday party tonight. It’s a bummer, this is my favorite time of year and I have a lot of traditions with family and friends that got cancelled, but you do what you have to do.
Hecate, I hope your kids and parents get through this OK, especially your son who is having a hard time.
This makes me feel better. I’ve been trying to decide if I should go to my parents- I live alone and work from home as well (I just started after thanksgiving). I’m so nervous with the vaccine so close.
I’m so sorry for your son Hectate. I worry about our youth. God this is so tough on them.
It’s hard. I snapped about 2 wks ago. I live with/take care of my 93 yr old dad. I’ve had NO HELP from my sister since Sept. as it was *very* important for her and her husband to rent a camper and take a month long trip (meeting up with friends at one point(!!), so of course… 2 wks of quarantining after getting back at the end of Oct. That brought us up to son #1 coming in from college…so 2 MORE weeks…then son #2 came home, and after him quarantining (until his test results came in), they went up north to be with *his* parents for Thanksgiving for a week. Then home, quarantining AGAIN for another two wks. So this meant she wasn’t around until pretty much 2 wks ago.
Btwn the isolation (the ONLY place I’ve been is a pharmacy to get some meds as they don’t deliver), and taking care of my dad (I’m up 1-3 times a night to help him use the bathroom), I’ve been *exhausted*, emotionally and physically. Can’t see *anyone* of course, except occasionally on a zoom… and it’s been this way for me since the end of Feb. when we started staying home. Now, with all the experts saying the numbers are off the charts, and here in LA/So. Cal we are out of ICU beds in a lot of areas; yesterday, CNN was reporting there was a 4 1/2 hour wait for ambulances to even get TO the drop off points in the local hospital.
My sister gave me a break finally: the last 4 days I’ve been on my own at her vacation rental in Santa Monica. So, I finally DID go outside to try and get a walk (double masked), and what do I see? MORE THAN HALF THE PEOPLE, walking on the bluffs above PCH, WERE NOT WEARING MASKS! Others, had it BELOW their noses, and the rest didn’t even have one to pull up if they passed by. I was zigzagging around so much I got dizzy. I finally gave up and went back.
I’m not going to let up now, with this vaccine in sight, of course! But I am depleted. I’ve thought of just giving up. In *every* sense of the word; depression doesn’t come close to how I feel a lot of the time. But I’m just so, so, SO tired of all this, as we all are. I just have to keep telling myself, “Just a few more months…just a few more months”… and then you hear about Dump’s admin. CANCELLING the next batch of vaccines that were to be shipped next week! I honestly don’t know how much more we ALL can take!
I’m so sorry for everything you’re going through. As if caregiving weren’t exhausting enough without a pandemic and selfish family members added to the mix! And it’s so hard not to feel utterly discouraged when people around us won’t do the simple, easy things that will keep everyone safe. This internet stranger is sending you ALL the hugs. You have my empathy, and my admiration for doing the right thing when idiots around you aren’t.
I really feel for you.
(oh and F trump) murderer.
Thank you both, so much! It really *does* help to have this site, and all of you here to listen and talk to. Sending big hugs back 🤗 🤗
And yes… F&*% Trump, F&*% ALL of them for what they’ve done to us all. They ALL need to be in jail for PREMEDITATED murder and inflicting great bodily harm on long-haulers!
I feel you. And I’m sorry.
In early January my mom had a hip replacement and I was the one visiting her and my dad (who lived in a nursing home for those weeks) on my lunch hour or after work. Organizing shit. They mixed up his meds so his condition deteriorated and that’s when we could take them home. My sister and I took turn staying with them and when my mom could move again… lockdown. Rest of the year we spent in hospitals with my dad while he got progressively worse and then died in October. Navigating hospitals etc was the pits. So after he died (which was exactly how nobody wants to go) we went our separate ways and I’ve been alone, distancing from everyone except to go to work. It has been a year. And to see other people go on summer vacations, see them party, see them just be MORONS…. it has been a YEAR. Today I almost yelled at my boss. It was a close call.
I know your dad appreciates you and if you can manage at all, try to enjoy the time together? I know. I get it. It’s next to impossible but I managed to do that sometimes and I love those memories.
Emmy, I am so very sorry for the loss of your dear dad 💔 It is beyond heartbreaking.
I do enjoy our time together. Our mornings, until after lunch, are our “together” time; after lunch I take him for a little walk in the corridor of our condo to get a little exercise. Then, I take about 2 hrs. of “me” time (I get to watch 1 Xmas movie each afternoon lol). Then I’m back with him for “wine/cocktail” time, dinner, and until I take him in for his meds and to bed at 10.
I know that at 93, every day he’s with us is a blessing, and I am SO grateful to have him here. It just did get overwhelming, after *months* on end w/out any relief. Having had the last 4 days on my own has helped to “recharge” myself mentally.
Thank you…for listening. Sending hugs to you! ❤️
I admire people who are caregivers for their parents. I did as much as I could but I wasn’t living with my parents and I work full time. My mom was the one who did most of it. It’s hard when the roles get reversed, especially when there’s a mental decline component involved.
But even I was burned out so I have no idea how you do it. I guess most of us just rise to the occasion because there’s no alternative. And we love our parents. … Sibling relationships can suffer though, it’s something not that many people talk about for some reason.
I hope you still have a lovely holiday season!
As a caregiver for my mom, all I can say is: I hear you and I know exactly what you’re going through. It is exhausting physically –but mostly the emotional depletion of being a caregiver for an elderly parent is devastating. It’s crushing. I’ve found myself wishing for my mother to pass just because I couldn’t take it anymore (after multiple falls and hospitalizations)–and we had a caregiver for 2-3 hours a day. I have 2 nieces single, no kids, ca. 35 yrs old who live 30 minutes away who have not seen her for FOUR YEARS for no reason other than they are “overwhelmed” and “working a lot.” They can’t even be bothered to call her o send a card. Right now I’m about to go on a video visit with a new physical therapist while I’m trying to make money on a new business. I am lucky–my mom is doing better and can be on her own most of the time now. But I know that will change (she is 96). The only thing I can say is–once it is “over” you will NOT be feeling this overwhelmed. The problem is–you don’t know when it will be over.
Wickster, I have been exactly where you are, same feelings, thoughts… and I immediately feel *so* guilty and ungrateful…and then go back to feeling overwhelmed. I know if I could get someone in, it’d help, but with Covid, and his age/health (and my own compromised immune system from cancer 6 yrs ago), I’m just not comfortable with it unless it was a MUST. My nephews, whether away at school, and now home from college, rarely call him unless reminded, and even then… it’s just for a few min. if that.
While my dad does doze most of the day, it’s not like I can leave him alone (he has balance issues, even with a walker, is a bit fragile, and his memory fails at times. Running out to the pharmacy for 20 min. is a leap of faith! 😜 I put him in his lounger, put on the tv and tell him not to move a hair lol).
Sigh… I know the day will come and he won’t be here, and I’ll miss him so terribly much, wishing he was back, and I’d willingly do it all for that… It’s hard. But I am so thankful to have him.
Thank you for listening! Wishing all the best for you and your mom! ❤️
I’m so sorry you’ve been going through all this stuff alone, it sounds very exhausting! I really hope your family steps in to help out more. Sending you some good vibes and hopefully next year will be better
Hecate, so sorry for your family’s pain. It is so hard. I had a day of despair a few weeks ago when it felt like this would never end.
We didn’t see extended family over Thanksgiving and we won’t for Christmas. I’m dropping off gifts today and having a socially distanced small greeting with them in the yard with a fire.
Meanwhile, some “Christian” on twitter said she’s having a huge group for Christmas and that Dr. Fauci “can go cry in a corner.” Spirit of the season, amirite?
Go cry in a corner!!!! WTF would HE be crying? He’s going to be alive come January, he’s doing it right. I loathe these cretins, loathe.
I was expressing to my husband how sick I am of it – he made the comparison that it’s like we’re on Heartbreak Hill. For those who don’t know – Heartbreak Hill is at mile 20 of the Boston Marathon. It’s long and brutal – but getting through it means you only have 5.5 miles to go.
Keep pushing. I believe the end is in sight.
Thank you for this. I truly think we’re in the last, but very hard, leg of a marathon, so I like this analogy.
I keep telling myself, “Darkest before the dawn” as well. When you think you can take no more is often when light (however distant or gradually) starts to shine.
I feel that way too. This will not be forever, and we’re getting there, thanks to a ton of hard work by scientists.
And it’s also ok to say you’re sick of it, to be angry and frustrated, to cry, whatever you need to do. I’ve had a few of those moments, and then feel better and keep going.
I won’t be seeing my mom on Christmas but the day after which is okay. We did the same thing with thanksgiving. I’ll deliver her and step father’s presents a few days before so they have something to open up. She’s not wrapping gifts this year because she’s not good health wise and the virus has added stress she really didn’t need to a situation where she is a caregiver to her husband who has mid stage dementia. He has no concept of the virus or how dangerous it is. He has a caregiver during the day but for the rest of the time, she’s by herself.
Someone suggested to me that I go live with them to help out but after a few days there things start to go sideways with personalities that are so different. Also they like to turn the heat up to levels that are unbearable and I’m going through the pre-menopause at the moment so I can’t handle heat. I have my own place close by so that’s good enough.
I just heard last night that the Super Bowl is happening. And that is a month after all of the New Year’s super spreaders. This poor man is going to have to beg the nation to not attend Super Bowl parties. And many won’t listen. Just like they didn’t listen at Thanksgiving. Like they won’t listen at Christmas and New Years. Does anyone even care about professional football this year? It’s been so half assed and cobbled together, it hasn’t even resembled a regular season at all.
We stayed home for Thanksgiving and we will do the same for Christmas. It is Sad and hard, but it has to be done. We are so close and can’t letup now.
I’m lucky that I have my husband and my dog. It must be so hard for the folks living along. My daughter lives alone in a new city and we talk on the phone several times a day. I think it helps.
I don’t know how I’m going to go all winter w/o seeing my friends. It severely impacted my mental health last winter and it’s already starting to impact me again this winter. We would have outdoor gatherings (small groups, all of us more than 6 feet apart while sitting on our own blanket) over the summer but we can’t do that anymore in the cold. I feel for everyone who is struggling. My bday is on Christmas Eve too and I won’t be seeing my extended family on that day for the first time in my life so I also feel for the Fauchis. VENTING POST lol
Could you FaceTime or zoom your friends and family?
At Thanksgiving some families Zoomed their dinner with family members and it seemed to work out okay.
My step father is an extrovert and he’s having an awful time adjusting to our new world of having to stay away from others. He’s actually had bouts of depression over it. He used to go see his friends play tennis on Saturday and then go have coffee and doughnuts. Now he can only wave at them from a car window. He’s in the very vulnerable population (over 80’s) and some of his friends don’t wear masks.
As an introvert I think I’m handling it better than he is but there are times when I want to break out of my apt and go anywhere. Even if it’s to somewhere mundane like the grocery store. My two cats and my hobbies have helped me tremendously.
Virtual hugs Ellie! And an early happy birthday!
Thanks ladies! Yes, we do Facetime/Zoom but it’s just not the same as in-person. We will all get through this winter together, I was just acknowledging my own and everyone else’s frustration. Here’s to hoping everything is back to normal next year 🙂
Thank you to everyone who’s sharing how you’re sensibly staying safe this festive season, and much love to all who are getting by with family concerns and living alone. It is so tough, but it is also testament to how you are all looking after so many others (known and unknown) by limiting the spread of this disease.
I’m going to have a very quiet Christmas with my Dad, which honestly is very normal since my Mom died (over 14 years ago) and my brother moved to Canada (3 years ago). My mom dying when I was only 18 very quickly taught me to find where I can ‘be ok’ with things, and this year has taken me back to those teachings big time.
From what everyone says on here, it sounds like the Celebitchy crew overall know the painful outcomes of this disease – I personally caught it in March and have been suffering from long-covid since. I’ve had to withdraw from a lot of social media because people go on and on about how only a small percentage die and I have got into so many arguments just by pointing out that the wider health effects (and the impact on public health and ongoing support) is so much bigger than just death. That’s not to minimise the pain of losing someone at all, but the effects of this disease is so much more than just the reported death toll (which in itself is horrific).
I am very ok with living a quiet life, even as an extrovert, and relying on zoom and whats app to be in touch with my friends. I look forward to hugging friends again, but I also look forward to being able to breathe deeply, walk for more than 5 minutes without gasping for air, sleep without muscle aches that keep me tossing and turning, and feel like my body is my own again, not like I’m stuck in a body that is constantly tired for no reason and not my own.
I know I’m preaching to the choir here about staying safe and following Dr Fauci’s lead, so just to say thank you to everyone who is sticking through a hard time this year. Anything you do to spare someone from covid-19 is selfless and kind, and the world needs more of people like you. You raise my spirits and give me hope.
You’re definitely not alone! I’m 30 and healthy but I caught Covid a few weeks ago and the fatigue will. not. go. away. I work from home luckily but need to use my lunch breaks to nap now. I can sleep for 12 hours straight but when I wake up, I still feel like I haven’t slept in a week. I would hate to pass this on to my grandma or another elderly person so I understand the importance of sacrificing this holiday season for the safety of others. Hope you feel better xo
Hope you’re feeling better soon Ellie!
I dont know if it will be any help, but when I had blood tests done I was really low in folate & B12 (which has never happened before) – since I’ve started taking extra vitamins specifically for that I’ve seen a bit of an improvement in my fatigue. Not leaps and bounds, but with how bad it was over the summer I will take any improvement. Hope yours improves soon as well x
After quarantining for months my two sisters and myself decided to take the kids on a drive up trick or treating our town set up for the kids. We had all tested negative, wore masks and gloves. A couple days later my youngest sister tested positive and almost three weeks later and a false negative result I tested positive as well. As I sit in the house trying to recover from covid I keep kicking myself for ignoring all the advisements.
I’ll be 100% by myself. Definitely does not feel festive but I am trying to embrace the peace that solitude brings. I couldn’t bring myself to get on a plane and potentially make a relative sick. Not the ideal year to be single for sure.