After an exhausting trip around the world, on Jan 1, 2021, St. Nicholas sat down for a Zoom call with Society Garlic.

So Mr. Nicholas, why did you take the serology test to determine if you have covid antibodies?
Well you know, in 2019 Wuhan was one of my first stops and I came down with what I thought was a nasty flu.  Luckily I was already on dexamethasone for my arthritis, so I think it helped me recover, but it sure took me a while.  And as for the elves, well, the factory environment was as bad as a White House Rose Garden, but they were all asymptomatic little guys.  This past season, I wanted to be sure I was protected by my own antibodies because I couldn’t get the vaccine yet, and sure as sugar cookies, I was positive.

Have you gotten the vaccine yet and what do you think of the roll out?
Oh I was one of the first people on the list.  See I’m even older than Joe Biden.  I’m also obese and an essential worker.  Plus, I am helping Pfizer with the cold chain, so I’m a pretty connected guy.  I’ve been impressed by the recent vaccine ramp up.  It’s refreshing to go from a president who was focused on increasing chickens processed per minute to one who is focused on increasing vaccinations given per day.

What was your biggest challenge this past season?
Well so many people put “vaccine” on their Santa list.  I just couldn’t make that happen.  When the genome was sequenced in January last year, I was still recovering, so got a late start in the game.  I had to make a choice between making toys and making a robust MRNA based vaccine, and as everyone knows, I chose the former.

What do you see as your biggest challenge this year?
I’m really afraid of getting cancelled.  You see, one year I impersonated an elf.  It was 50 years ago and it was all in fun.  I was walking around on my knees and was in green face.  I’m afraid someone is going to take it out of context if any pictures surface. 

I’m also worried for my buddy Frosty.  He’s getting a lot of trouble from Greta Thunberg for his two eyes made of coal.  Plus he pumps me up with “Warm it up Kris” every year before I start my sleigh ride and she takes it the wrong way. My reindeer are zero emissions!