Lean times for Father Frost
In Christmases gone by, professional Santas around the world generally offered nothing more than jolly greetings and a sackful of presents.
But this year, Santa’s Russian equivalent, Father Frost, is peddling an unusual bonus gift: a promise that he has antibodies to Covid-19.
With the festive season approaching, Russians who earn a living playing the part of Father Frost are facing lean prospects because of Covid restrictions.
Some are now advertising their services as ‘‘Father Frost with antibodies’’, in the hope that Russian families will hire them for a home visit.
One is student Ruslan Bekirov, 21, who claims to have tested positive earlier this year after his whole family caught coronavirus.
He has now taken an antibody test, the results of which he is happy to show any prospective customers. ‘‘My phone is ringing constantly,’’ he said. ‘‘Parents are ready to hire me but do not want to take unnecessary risks, asking if I can confirm I have antibodies, and if Father Frost will wear a mask.’’
He would not lift up children on his knees this year, he added. Bekirov said his idea to tout his antibody test was partly a marketing ploy. However, while such a test can identify a past infection with the virus, it does not necessarily confirm immunity.
Many professional Father Frosts are advertising home-visit services this year because more regular clients, such as malls and corporations, are not hiring. Mr Bekirov, who says he normally earns up to $1900 during the season, advertises his services as ‘‘an opportunity to entertain children with magic tricks at a distance and play songs’’.
Russia confirmed 28,080 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours yesterday, pushing the national tally to 2,653,928 since the pandemic began.
The mayor of Moscow said he would not impose a curfew or curb alcohol sales during the New Year holiday, despite the rise in cases.
Russia, which began vaccinating exposed groups in
Moscow, a city of nearly 13 million, earlier this month, has resisted imposing a strict lockdown as it did early this year, relying on targeted measures instead.
‘‘We do not restrict meetings, nor do we declare curfews,’’ Mayor Sergei Sobyanin was reported as saying by Interfax.
‘‘Tightening (restrictions) is only possible when the medical system can no longer cope with the flow of patients.
‘‘There is no such situation in Moscow. The safety margin is still quite large.’’
– Telegraph Group