How can I protect my kids from COVID-19?
Anika H. Ahmed, MD July 2020
The pandemic of COVID-19 has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives across the globe and continues to spread to people of all races, class, gender, and age. The notion that it affects mainly the elderly and people with underlying medical conditions is also slowly changing, as more children are being hospitalized with either severe respiratory symptoms or bleeding disorders with clotting complications. The first instinct of every human being is to protect their loved ones, more so children. Parents are genuinely stressed out and anxious because of COVID-19. Every parent or guardian needs reassurance that their children will remain healthy. As far as health of the children is concerned during the pandemic, I need to emphasize as a physician the importance of keeping all children healthy mentally as well as physically. Physical and mental health go hand in hand and deserve equal attention. To ensure well being of their children both physically and mentally, here is a check list for every parent/ guardian taking care of children of all ages:
Physical Health-
1) Be prepared. Do not panic and do not get stressed out upon hearing about an outbreak in your community or neighborhood. Take precautions. Check your home medicine cabinet and make sure there is a reliable thermometer, appropriate antipyretics for all ages, decongestants, and alcohol swabs. Keep self and home environment hygienic by frequently sanitizing and cleaning. Stock up adequately on cleaning supplies and disinfectants along with groceries and dry rations.
2) Be a Role Model- Practice what you preach. Children look up to their parents and guardians. There is a greater chance that they will wash their hands frequently, especially after coming from outside, if they see their parents doing it. Encourage them to wear a mask when in close spaces after you have successfully demonstrated the proper way of wearing a mask. Isolate anyone sick in the household and strictly keep children away from them.
3) Minimal touch policy must be adopted by the entire family. All children must also understand the benefit of minimal touch policy which cuts down on exposure to Coronavirus by not picking it from hard surfaces which are frequently touched by others.
4) Register on a telecommunication platform with your doctor. Have a plan for connecting with your family physician or pediatrician round the clock as required. Ideally your doctor should only be a click away.
5) Monitor closely if you feel your children look sick. Maintain a body temperature chart every two hours and if you get a reading above 98.4 to 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, start monitoring the temperature every hour. Contact your doctor on a virtual telemedicine platform and share all observed symptoms.
Mental Health
1) Communicate well! Talk to your children and explain, especially to younger children who do not really understand the meaning of pandemic, the reasons for self-quarantine, lockdown, or isolation.
2) Share your plan with your children for a case where one or both parents might get sick from COVID-19. Be ready to answer questions like ‘What will happen to us if both of you get sick?’, ‘Who will take care of me?’ ‘Can I go over to grandparents’ house?’ Who do I call when you are sick? ‘Who is our Doctor and how do I call him or her?’
3) Observe closely the moods of your children. Many children are experiencing levels of loneliness, anxiety and depression due to self-quarantine, lockdown and isolation. Involve your children in healthy activities that will promote bonding, keep them engaged positively, and get rid of loneliness, anxiety, and depression. It’s indeed quite normal for children to feel isolated, anxious, or depressed during the pandemic. Introducing them to various virtual platforms will help them socialize with friends and family and will keep their mental state healthy. Encourage indoor activities with family and friends virtually. Cool grandparents and p