Dozens of Children May Have Contracted COVID-19 during Santa Photo Shoot

What started with good intentions may have caused 50 children to be infected with coronavirus after a photoshoot with local Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Christmas is one of the most anticipated holidays of the year, and despite the ongoing pandemic, people are trying to make the festive season enjoyable. However, things didn't go as planned in Ludowici, Georgia.

During the annual Christmas parade organized by the Long County Chamber of Commerce, about 50 children may have been exposed to COVID-19 after a photoshoot with the local Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The County Commission Chairman Robert Parker told sources that the couple portraying Santa and Mrs. Claus tested positive for coronavirus three days after the event.

He also revealed that two of the children exposed were his own. However, Parker didn't blame the couple and stated that it wasn't their first time playing Santa and Mrs. Claus. In his words:

"Bringing joy to children during the holidays is one of the most important parts of their lives."

He revealed that the couple wore protective masks during the event, but most of the children posing for pictures didn't wear masks. He also defended the pair by stating they would never intentionally put the children in harm's way.

According to a new modeling study, the majority of coronavirus infections occur in places people frequently visit.

Although the event wasn't sanctioned by the county or the city of Ludowici, Parker revealed safety precautions, including a hand-sanitizing station, and the children were kept apart while waiting for their photos.

However, unlike the lucky Georgia couple, a Texas couple lost their lives due to coronavirus complications. Paul and Rose Mary Blackwell were longtime teachers at Grand Prairie Independent School District.

The married couple spent several days in the ICU at Harris Methodist Hospital. But as their condition worsened, their family decided to discontinue the life support, and they reportedly died while holding hands.

According to a new modeling study, the majority of coronavirus infections occur in places people frequently visit. The study stated that reducing the maximum number of people allowed in these places would reduce COVID cases.

These red zones include gyms, restaurants, hotels, grocery stores, and religious establishments. This model was created by researchers from Stanford and Northwestern Universities, who used the phone location data gotten from big cities.