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Kids want to know: Is it safe for Santa to stop by this year?

"Will Santa still be able to visit me in coronavirus's season?" asked 6-year-old Paxton from Geneva, Ill., during a 

 Saturday. "What if he can't go to anyone's house, or near his reindeer?"

Luckily for children everywhere, the nation's top infectious disease specialist is on the case. "I took care of that for you, because I was worried that you'd all be upset," Dr. Anthony Fauci 

. "So what I did a little while ago: I took a trip up there to the North Pole, I went there and I vaccinated Santa Claus myself.

"I measured his level of immunity, and he is good to go," Fauci added. "He can come down the chimney, he can leave the presents, he can leave, and you have nothing to worry about."

During the town hall, Fauci responded to other concerns from children, including when they'll be able to hug their families again (right now, if it's someone who lives with you), and whether the vaccine hurts (it's just a pinch).

Kids might still want to see Santa in person at the mall this year. But it's probably not a good idea this time, health experts 

Many Santas have instead set up virtual or drive-by options. 

He's making a safety list, checking it twice: Santa adjusts to pandemic visits

 that depression and anxiety have increased as kids have been spending time at home, away from friends.

To celebrate Christmas, experts are encouraging some variations from the normal celebrations this year: cookie drop-offs instead of in-home group baking, looking at Christmas lights from the car to avoid crowds, outdoor family caroling instead of singing inside. 

And it's probably safe to do outdoor activities — sledding, ice skating, playing in the snow — provided you wear a mask. 

Health

COVID-19

Matthew S. Schwartz

Author

In a virtual town hall for kids on CNN, Dr. Anthony Fauci addressed kids’ concerns by telling them he made a trip to the North Pole to get Santa vaccinated for COVID-19: "He is good to go."

'I vaccinated Santa Claus,' Fauci tells kids

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