From this evening, Kenyans will join Christians around the world in marking the birth of Jesus Christ, setting off a season of spiritual reflection and making merry. Christmas also offers humanity a chance to share time and resources with loved ones and the less fortunate in society.
It is a period of giving as Jesus Christ offered himself to humanity to redeem man from sins, according to Christianity. And coming at the end of the year for most cultures globally, it is also a period of taking stock of the year, while projecting and hoping for a prosperous New Year.
However, this Christmas will be like no other in this generation due to the coronavirus pandemic. Since the outbreak of Covid-19 in China in late 2019, life has been turned upside down across the world.
The festivities will therefore be devoid of the usual fanfare and merry-making. This is because Covid-19 is still ravaging humanity and it thrives when people come together and infect each other through close contact.
Indeed, the Ministry of Health, whose protocols call for social distancing, do not envisage huge get-togethers and long night vigil during this Christmas. Kenyans have also been cautioned against unnecessary travels upcountry during this festive season.
This is because most parents and the elderly live in rural areas and could be exposed to the virus by the youthful generation who live in the cities.
This is therefore to caution those who will travel to take care of the vulnerable individuals by observing the health guidelines so as to keep this pandemic at bay.
It would be unfortunate to celebrate this Christmas with your loved ones, only to infect them with Covid-19. Social distancing, handwashing, avoiding handshakes and hugs should be stepped up this Christmas.
This is especially so because Covid-19 numbers are still rising and fatalities are still rife.
It would be catastrophic to have Covid numbers surge in rural areas and overwhelm the depleted health facilities in counties, for instance.
And although there have been encouraging developments with several Covid-19 vaccines already being made and other being administered, this is not the time to throw caution to the wind. We must still enhance the preventive measures.
Still, as Kenyans make merry, they must be aware of what awaits them in 2021. The government has already announced that the tax waivers offered at the height of the pandemic will be reversed on December 31.
This means prices of commodities will rise and Kenyans will have to dig deeper into their pockets. The school calendar will also be packed, with demand for fees coming one after the other.
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