When and how explaining coronavirus to your children?
Concerns linked to the new coronavirus range from managing sick days to global financial markets, so it can be easy to overlook some of the most vulnerable among us: children.
Young children, whose physical and emotional needs should be considered during such an outbreak, frequently catch colds – as many as 10 per year before they turn 2 years old.
Children tend to spend most of their time in school or daycare, in close contact with other children, a fact that when considered alongside too-infrequent hand-washings after sneezes and coughs, well, it’s no wonder they’re so often sick.
Fortunately, there are no evidence children are more susceptible to COVID-19, the new coronavirus. Most cases have involved adults, and the comparatively fewer infections reported in children have produced milder symptoms, including runny nose, cough, fever and, very rarely, vomiting and diarrhea. People, including children, with underlying health concerns, maybe at an increased risk for infection, health experts have said.
When it comes to talking to children about the coronavirus, it’s important first to evaluate the situation – see how much they know about it and how it makes them feel.
Know what your kids are watching and hearing, then correct, monitor, limit and review together as necessary,” Dr. Robin Goodman, associate director of Public Education and Bereavement at Child HELP Partnership.
Children may be worried about how the virus not only affects them but also their friends or parents or another family members.
Be honest. Be careful about giving too much detail. Find out what they know. Be open and available for questions, allow expression of feelings and how to cope.
When it comes to hygiene, all children should be reminded to wash their hands, with older children also helping remind younger children.
The proper way to wash one’s hands is scrubbing for 20 seconds with warm and water and soap, approximately the same amount of time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” song.
For parents: How to support our kids?
Be aware of your needs. Seek support. Know resources and where to get help. Stress and traumatic reactions are very specific, and particular interventions can help if they become a problem. Recognize that feelings and responses change so monitor them over time. Be careful about managing your fears. Parents can model appropriate coping.
Monitor television viewing and social media
- Limit television viewing or access to information on the Internet and through social media. Try to avoid watching or listening to information that might be upsetting when your children are present.
- Speak to your child about how many stories about COVID-19 on the Internet may be based on rumors and inaccurate information.
- Talk to your child about factual information of this disease—this can help reduce anxiety.
- Constantly watching updates on the status of COVID-19 can increase anxiety—avoid this.
- Be aware that developmentally inappropriate information (i.e., information designed for adults) can cause anxiety or confusion, particularly in young children.
Remain calm and reassuring
- Children will react to and follow you are verbal and nonverbal reactions.
- What you say and do about COVID-19, current prevention efforts and related events can either increase or decrease your children’s anxiety.
- If true, emphasize to your children that they and your family is fine.
- Remind them that you and the adults at their school are there to keep them safe and healthy.
- Let your children talk about their feelings and help reframe their concerns into the appropriate perspective.
Wash Your Hands Often to Stay Healthy
You can help yourself and your loved ones stay healthy by washing your hands often, especially during these key times when you are likely to get and spread germs:
- Before, during, and after preparing food
- Before eating food
- Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
- Before and after treating a cut or wound
- After using the toilet
- After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
- After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
- After handling pet food or pet treats
- After touching garbage
Follow Five Steps to Wash Your Hands the Right Way
Washing your hands is easy, and it’s one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from one person to another and throughout an entire community—from your home and workplace to childcare facilities and hospitals.
Follow these five steps every time.
- Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
- Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
Use Hand Sanitizer When You Can’t Use Soap and Water
You can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water is not available.
Washing hands with soap and water are the best way to get rid of germs in most situations. If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. You can tell if the sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol by looking at the product label.
Sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in many situations. However:
- Sanitizers do not get rid of all types of germs.
- Hand sanitizers may not be as effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy.
- Hand sanitizers might not remove harmful chemicals from hands like pesticides and heavy metals.
Caution! Swallowing alcohol-based hand sanitizers can cause alcohol poisoning if more than a couple of mouthfuls are swallowed. Keep it out of reach of young children and supervise their use.
How to use hand sanitizer
- Apply the gel product to the palm of one hand (read the label to learn the correct amount).
- Rub your hands together.
- Rub the gel over all the surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry. This should take around 20 seconds.
Take care and stay healthy!
