Prohibited in public space, gatherings of more than ten people are authorized in the private sphere. Nevertheless, the virus is still present: how to organize reunions with loved ones while respecting safety gestures?
If the organization of a meal at home could seem trivial before the health crisis, it now requires a certain amount of reflection and logistics. Especially in the anxiety-provoking context in which we have been living for several weeks. “I wouldn’t say I was scared, but I was obviously a little worried. I wondered if I was really going to receive my friends at my house”, says Bérengère. On the evening of May 11, this 29-year-old young woman invited four friends to her Parisian apartment.
“I ended up telling myself that it would be fine if we were careful, but I wondered a lot: how to avoid the risk of transmission as much as possible?”, she remembers. The twenty-something protected her sofa with plaids – which she put in the washing machine as soon as the evening was over – and asked her guests to take off their shoes when entering. “Obviously, no hugs, despite the urge!”, she says. No direct contact either, while respect for safety distances was required.
“I immediately transferred everything that was going to serve us for the aperitif into containers, and I threw the packaging directly, washing my hands between eachsays Bérengère. In short, I tried to be as attentive as possible, but I think that was the side ‘first night’ post confinement, with this new side, where we are still marked by the last few weeks. On the other hand, I had the feeling that it was still not enough, and that our behavior was contradictory: for example, we were picking our chips from the same bowl…”.
“We were more in reflection than in emotion”
In a society where kisses and hugs are commonplace, it would be tempting to believe that the precautions taken to avoid the transmission of Covid-19 could spoil the atmosphere of the reunion. “I wouldn’t say that because we were so happy to see each other again after what felt like an eternity.believes Bérengère. But it was a bit strange, because necessarily less natural: we had to think more about our actions and gestures.
For example, the young woman had to refrain from hugging her guests when they entered her home, then made a point of immediately offering them hydroalcoholic gel and finding a place for them to put on their masks. “Finally, we were more in the reflection than in the emotionshe analyzes. On the other hand, everyone lent themselves willingly and quickly adopted the reflexes. Besides, we couldn’t help but make jokes on the subject. Now I see that everything is becoming more and more natural, like greeting each other differently, for example”.
Two essential gestures to respect during a meal with loved ones
So, what are the good reflexes to take when organizing a meal with loved ones? When planning to invite friends or family to your home, keep in mind the mode of transmission of Covid-19. “It’s a respiratory virus, which can also be hand-carriedrecalls Faïza Bossy, general practitioner. It is the fact of bringing one’s hand to one’s face that makes one contaminate oneself. It is fundamental to understand this well in order to understand the importance of wearing a mask and physical distancing.”.
The professional first recommends keeping those close to you informed of your state of health: if you have had one of the symptoms of Covid-19 in the fifteen days preceding the meal, it is better to warn your host or guests. “If no one has been sick, that does not mean that one of the guests is not becoming sick”, says Faïza Bossy. For her, there are therefore two essential gestures to respect. First, hand washing for at least 20 seconds upon arrival at the host.
“It can be difficult, but you also have to respect the physical distance of 1m50reports the health professional. Unfortunately, we don’t have to hug and just say hello from afar”. The doctor hammers it: the goal is to break the chain of contamination, even if it requires taking it upon yourself. Likewise, the number of guests should not be left to chance, in order to provide 4 m2 per person and to take into account the width of crossing zones. “For example, you should not park in a corridor”emphasizes Faïza Bossy.
“The aperitif is more convivial, but it’s not a good idea”
The doctor recommends a meal at the table where everyone is seated, with their own cutlery, rather than an aperitif dinner, during which everyone pecks in bowls and plates. “We must not forget that we put our hand on our face on average 60 times a day, without realizing it.specifies the health professional. However, if someone rubs their nose by reflex then puts their hand in the packet of crisps and another person takes the quarter of crisps behind, the contagion can take place. The aperitif is friendlier, easier to prepare, but it’s not a good idea”. If the hosts nevertheless opt for it, Faïza Bossy invites them to favor individual containers for each one.
For Bérengère, the choice of the mode of dinner had turned out to be a real headache. “At first, I wanted to make a meal to avoid contact in a salad bowl, but I told myself that, in any case, there would necessarily be some between my hand and the plates, for example.remembers the journalist. I didn’t see how contact zero ‘deferred’ was possible by organizing an evening at home. So I took the risk of organizing an aperitif, although it is surely contradictory!.
The precautions don’t end with the meal
When preparing the meal, it is advisable to wash your hands as often as possible, as well as the food. Another important point: make sure the dishes are clean. “To avoid bothering, we can use cardboardconsiders the doctor. It’s less glamorous, but if people are a little anxious, the most important thing is to reassure them to have a successful reunion.”. However, hosts can be more flexible with shoes and coats.
“They can offer guests to leave their belongings at the entrance to the hallway, but I don’t think there is a reason that particularly requires taking off their shoes, for example”, says Faïza Bossy. For her, the precautions do not stop with the meal. “You have to invite your loved ones to think after the fact: if they have come to eat with you and develop symptoms within the next two weeks, they must have the reflex to call you”, says the health professional. A shape “self-tracking” which would help limit the spread of Covid-19.
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