The coronavirus (COVID-19) disease cases in the United States of America is rising. Many parents with small children are wondering what they can do to keep their families safe.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the coronavirus disease seems to be much milder in children and babies. But no parent wants to see his or her child in pain. There is currently no vaccine for this disease. Researchers and doctors are now working hard to develop a vaccine that will help stop the spread of this pandemic. The vaccine is not going to be ready soon. Different labs that are working on them are predicting that the vaccine will be available after some months.
Hundreds of thousands in the US alone have already tested positive. Hospitals are now full and not admitting new patients. Many parents are now looking for the different measures they can take to protect their kids from the Coronavirus. Here are some of the things you can do to keep your kid safe from the coronavirus.
1. Keep your kid away from crowded areas
The new coronavirus (COVID-19) is a respiratory virus that spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person sneezes or coughs. The virus also spreads through saliva droplets and nasal discharge. The government and health experts are advising people to keep away from crowded places. The disease is taking some time before showing its symptoms. You can get the virus from an infected person even if he or she is not showing any signs. To curb the spread and reduce the risk of infection, you should keep your child indoor. Don’t allow your child to get out to play with his or her friends. If you are at home, it is your role to keep your child mentally and physically active. You can play or do some exercises with your child at home.
2. Hand washing
The virus can stay on a surface for some hours before dying. Washing hands regularly is the only way you can protect your kids from getting the virus from surfaces they are touching. Make sure they are washing their hands immediately after coming inside from playing outdoor, after using the bathroom, coughing, sneezing, and before eating even snacks. You should also remember to wash your hands regularly, especially when you get back to your home from shopping, or any other place.
You also need to teach your kids how to wash their hands. Milestones recommend washing hands with running water and soap for at least 20 seconds. They should clean their nails and in between their fingers. After rinsing their hands, they should dry them with a single-use towel.
If your kids are becoming upset when you ask them to wash their hands, look for ways you can reward them every time they wash, such as giving them a sticker. You also need to set an example by washing your hands frequently. If you are in a place where water is not available, use sanitizers.
3. Advise your kids not to touch their face
The coronavirus doesn’t get into the body through the skin. It gets into the human body through the nose, mouth, and eyes. Avoiding touching the nose, eyes, and mouth can help reduce the risk.
4. Advise them not to shake hands with anyone
When you are outdoors, don’t allow your kids to shake hands with people, even your friends and family members. Let them know they can get the infection by shaking hands with an infected person. A person may not be infected, but he or she may have not washed his or her hands after touching infected surfaces.
5. Provide them with a face mask when in crowd places
You should stay indoors with your family, but if you are in public places such as airports, bus stations, and shopping centers, provide your kids with a face mask. The respiratory droplets stay for some minutes in the air before falling. Wearing a mask can help reduce the risk of infections from breathing in contaminated air.
6. Be proactive
Your kids play an important role in keeping themselves safe. You should have a calm and proactive conversation with your kids about this disease. Talk with them about its symptoms, how it is spread, and how to be safe. Encourage them to let you know when they are feeling unwell. Also, remember to reassure them that the illness due to coronavirus is mild, especially in children.