As a parent, we are all concerned about the safety of our children and during such a difficult time of COVID-19 Pandemic, we wish nothing more than the safety of our children. As you already know today, COVID-19 is one of the deadliest diseases on the planet that has affected more than 0.2 million people and killed 9000. After witnessing the loss of lives, many have already started to compare it with Spanish influenza that infected the 500 million- around one-third population of the planet. Back in 1918- the Spanish Influenza killed around 50 billion people and that’s only on the records, we are still not sure how many people exactly died during that Pandemic.
As scientists are still learning about this virus; there is much we don’t know yet about the disease. The fact is that so much is unknown is what creating a situation of panic across the globe. However, rather than giving up, you need to learn from reliable sources to keep your children safe and well. Here is the information every parent should know about:
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What you can do to protect your children?
The first thing you need to do to protect your children is to educate them about self-hygiene. Make sure they understand that washing hands is not optional and it means demonstrating them how to do it properly. You also need to teach them, that washing hands should exactly take 20 seconds which you can ask them to sing their favorite song while washing hands. Make sure they wash their hands before eating, after coming from outside, after coughing, sneezing and of course after using the washroom.
Does COVID-19 affect children?
This is the new type of virus, something we have never seen before so, we are not sure whether it can transmit to children or infants from their mothers. What we do know is that it can easily affect any age group out there. Yet, so far, we have witnessed only a handful of cases of COVID-19 in children. This virus is fatal so, it is recommended to take precautions.
Should I ask my children to wear a face mask to prevent COVID-19?
As per the medical experts, the use of the medical mask is recommended if you have respiratory symptoms such as cough, cold, fever to protect people around you but it is not compulsory to wear a mask if you are healthy.
If you are making your children wear a mask for the protection then, try to use and dispose of it properly to ensure effectiveness and reduce the chances of transmitting any virus or bacteria. As a parent you must know that mask alone cannot protect your children, it needs to be combined with the frequent hand-washing to avoid the disease.
Should I take my children out of school?
In the Corona affected areas, most of the schools, colleges, and workplaces are temporarily closed. However, if the schools and colleges in your area are still active then make sure your children are not symptoms of COVID-19 before sending them to school. If your children have other respiratory symptoms like fever, cough, or flue then, keep them indoors to avoid the spread to others.
What should I do if my children are showing symptoms of COVID-19?
If you notice the symptoms of COVID-19 in your children then, seek the medical attention, but panic and understand that there is flu season due to the change in weather and symptoms can be similar to COVID-19. So, consult with your physician to avoid any panic in your surroundings.
Again: as a parent, you should understand the current situation and try not to panic. There is a lot of information floating on the internet so, only collect from reliable sources. Practice social distancing and self-isolation to avoid the spread of the virus.