COVID-19 Does Santa Claus exist? A little less in the United States<

(New York) A Santa Claus to brighten up the holidays? It will be more difficult this year in the United States, where COVID-19 has likely caused the death of many candidates for the role of the man in the red suit and the white beard, hired at home or in shopping malls.

A few days before Christmas, one of the most important holidays in the United States - with Thanksgiving - and in particular in New York, Mitch Allen, founder of the hiring agency of Santas HireSanta.com, laments: " Unfortunately, we have lost many Santas over the past 18 months. We've actually lost over 335 this year. »

After a terrible year 2020, bruised by the COVID-19 epidemic, without public Christmas celebrations and with family reunions reduced to a minimum, this year "everyone comes together, companies organize events and shopping centers have brought back” Santa Claus to please the little ones, explains Mr. Allen to AFP.

Suddenly, “there is a huge shortage”, he notes during an interview by videoconference from Texas where he appears disguised in a green Santa Claus costume. He figures at "more than a thousand" the number of vacancies "for the rest of the season".

"Hang up the Red Coat"

In addition to deaths related to COVID-19, some candidates, some elderly, have "decided to hang up the red coat" and retire.

I can count to ten in French

— Normani Wed Sep 11 23:29:09 +0000 2013

In Denver, Santa Claus Vocational School, which provides training, has also seen a 25% decline in applicants over the past two years, despite classes being conducted mostly online.

"Over the past two years, 28 Santa Clauses have graduated, compared to the usual 120," school founder Susen Mesco told AFP. “Aging is a big factor,” as most Santa Clauses are “over 70,” she explains.

"Sparkling look"

This trend is likely to continue, warns Mr. Allen, who points to the fact that “this year we already have reservations for (Christmas) 2022, which has never happened before”.

His agency is, according to him, one of the “biggest suppliers” of Santa Clauses in the world, especially for Asia and China. Currently, “we have two Santa Clauses in Dubai,” he says proudly. Customers pay for their Santas' travel and accommodation themselves.

But Mr Allen warns: “Not everyone can play Santa Claus. »

In the United States, in particular, "you have to love Christmas, look like Santa Claus by wearing a real beard and have that sparkling look", he lists.

In good years, working from early November to December 24, a Santa Claus can earn between $6,000 and $10,000, Allen estimates. A good retirement supplement.