Santa Claus paints toy cars ahead of Christmas. Ho, ho, oh no: Santas are in short supply this year and COVID-19 is largely to blame.
Santa Clauses are mostly played by older people who are in their mid-60s on average and tend to weigh around 245 pounds (again, on average), according to The Kringle Group.
And many Santas last year, and this year, are continuing to be cautious about making in-person visits to children and gatherings in general.
The risk of getting hospitalized or even dying from COVID-19 increases for older people over the age of 50, with people 85 and older at most risk, according to the U.S.