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Pandemic Won't Sideline Santa Claus, US Military Confirms

Associated Press

   DENVER - The U.S. military Thursday was tracking an elderly man with a
   white beard and a large belly who goes by the name of Saint Nicholas.

   There's no reason for alarm though, Air Force General Glen D. VanHerck
   said.

   In fact, this is a Christmas tradition now in its 65th year. The North
   American Aerospace Defense Command, a joint U.S.-Canadian operation
   that protects the skies over both countries, has tracked the fabled
   jolly old man since a child mistakenly called the base in 1955, asking
   to speak to Santa.

   The base in Colorado Springs, Colorado, used to monitor for signs of a
   nuclear attack. But this year, officers at the base are making sure the
   coronavirus pandemic won't sideline Santa Claus and his reindeer from,
   as the storybooks say, delivering gifts to children around the world.

   While the Santa tracking operations center usually has around 1,500
   volunteers fielding calls from around the world, this year it has
   scaled back because of COVID-19 concerns, with few people in the center
   and many taking calls remotely. With the smaller operation, the staff
   has also added a voicemail for callers who don't reach an operator.

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