Loneliness is a serious problem during the holidays.

Most people spend this time with their families, friends and loved ones. But there are those who do not have people to spend the holidays with. This could be for a number of reasons. It could be because a person lives in a different country away from their family, because their significant other might have passed away, because they had fallen out with their loved ones, or simply because their children are too busy.

Regardless, Christmas is not a happy holiday for these people, and while the rest of us see this as a time of joy, they do not. Imagine living through Christmas without anyone to share it with. Covid-19 is making this situation that much worse. More people might end up in such a situation simply because they are trying to protect themselves from the virus, or because their family are trying to keep them safe.

It is extremely important that those who are most vulnerable to Covid-19 try and limit their contact with other people. At the same time, we cannot leave these people struggle on their own.

We must make the effort to call those who are in such situations more often, perhaps set up frequent video calls with family members who cannot be with us for instance. Reach out to friends who are vulnerable. In addition, small gestures of kindness would be most welcome at this time of year, so if people know of someone who will be alone during the holidays, consider making the effort to reach out to them while observing the Covid-19 guidelines and restrictions.

Caritas normally organises a Christmas lunch for people who would otherwise be spending Christmas day alone, but sadly this year it cannot be held.

Instead, however, Caritas, in collaboration with the Alfred Mizzi Foundation and various parishes and Church entities will be delivering meals and gifts to those who do not have the means to have a decent Christmas meal. They also have a helpline where those who feel lonely on Christmas day can call – 21331000 - between 11am and 2pm on that day.

These gestures are what Christmas is all about, helping each other and bringing the community together even during the most difficult of times.

Loneliness does not only affect the elderly, but also the young. Children might not be meeting their friends outside of school as often, and unlike past Christmases, might not be going over to their friends’ homes. Teenagers are also probably not meeting their friends as much. Human beings are, by nature, social, and this pandemic has caused a serious change in the way we live our lives. Young people can also suffer from the effects of loneliness. Thankfully technology has advanced to the point it is currently at, which means that friends are just a call away.

Over the coming months a number of vaccines for the virus will be made available, and hopefully we will all be able to put this situation behind us.