Despite having to slow down so our most advanced jets could just keep up with him, Santa has been confirmed by NORAD to be delivering toys to boys and girls around the globe. Did he make any pit stops?
Summary
Christmas Day is here! With families waking up to presents under the tree and stockings full of goodies, the naughty coronavirus did not stop Santa from delivering gifts for all the nice children!
- The Military Times reprinted an 1897 letter to the editor from a young girl named Virginia, and responded that YES, in fact Santa Claus is real! Key quote from the response “How dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias.”
- To help Rochester, New York during these socially-distanced holidays, Santa and Mrs. Claus gave the reindeer a break and drove parade-style through the city to give out candy from a green garland-decked car.
- Elsewhere in the American Northeast, Penobscot, Maine’s 911 dispatchers are putting out “be on the lookout” BOLO alerts, making sure police and first responders aren’t surprised are startled by St. Nick as he visits Penobscot homes.
- The Associated Press reported on the U.S. military’s NORAD air defense system keeping an eye on Santa and keeping him safe as he delivers presents nationwide.
- According to Fox 8, as Santa leaves the North Pole and enters North American airspace, he is escorted by Canadian and American fighter pilots, protecting Santa even though he has to slow down for the jets to keep up!
- NBC News detailed the history of NORAD tracking Santa, reporting it began in 1955 when a young girl called a number incorrectly listed in an advertisement, giving the number for a secure line inside the NORAD facility.
- Dr. Anthony Fauci reported to the nation’s children that coronavirus will not slow Santa now that he has his vaccine, and that the elves and reindeer are naturally immune.
- Despite getting his vaccine, Santa will still be wearing a mask according to People magazine.
- Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that while the coronavirus pandemic has scaled back operations at NORAD, that will not affect Santa-tracking capabilities, as many trackers are working remotely.
- Santa made his presence known early in England when a cloud that closely resembles Nicholas appeared over the town of Devon on Christmas Eve.
- According to Fox News, Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer plays an important part in tracking and keeping Santa safe: his nose “emits an infrared signature similar to a missile launch” that helps NORAD track the team.
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© Dallas Gerber, 2020
