As communities re-open and we venture into a “new normal,” are there specific precautions to follow for keeping young children safe? Although guidelines continue to change as we learn more, below are some suggestions from the experts on how to navigate life with littles in a post-pandemic world.
Plan low-risk activities
First of all, there are plenty of activities you can do from your home, front porch, backyard, and neighborhood. Keep in mind, such activities pose the lowest risk of exposure to Covid-19. If you have an immunocompromised child or a child with a medical condition that would put them in the high-risk group, please consult your physician for advice.
Social Distancing with Kids
Social distancing and prevention measures CAN be explained to children in simple, non-scary terms. You might say something like, “There is a virus (or “germ” for young ones) making people sick. We don’t want to get sick or make other people sick, so for a little while, we are going to skip hugs and kisses with people outside our house. We’re going to try not to touch things when we go out, especially not our faces. You may see people wearing masks and we’ll wear them too. They just help us keep our germs to ourselves. We’ll also wash our hands often or use sanitizer. We are going to be great helpers, doing our part to prevent spreading germs!” Of course, children will forget and need reminders – plan to offer gentle but frequent reminders.
Be prepared
When going out, pack masks for your family members. Children under age two should not wear a mask. If you are worried about an infant being un-masked, you can use a blanket or rain cover over a stroller. Keep hand sanitizer and wipes handy.
No matter how much you prepare small children, they will touch things, they will get too close to people, they will touch their faces. It’s a fact. If you’re concerned, only take trips that are absolutely necessary. You can also try to make a game out of “not touching” things by pretending everything is hot or seeing who can keep their hands on their head the longest.
Businesses typically post signs on their doors explaining their protocol. It doesn’t hurt to do some research ahead of time either. Need to take your kids to the store? Check what times they are least busy. Want to venture to a playground? Which ones are typically less crowded? Keep in mind that as we progress, procedures and requirements will change.
A note about playdates
At the beginning of the pandemic, we were told to avoid playdates completely. Since children are often in close contact with one another, they are great at spreading germs—that’s why schools were the first places to close. As we move through re-opening, you may wonder if and when playdates will be safe. The short answer is – they won’t. According to experts, whether or not to have a playdate should be a personal decision for each family to make as they weigh the risks and benefits.
If you choose to have a playdate, it’s not unreasonable to ask the other family about their recent health and exposure to Covid-19. Avoid close contact, especially hugging or shaking hands. Also, wash hands frequently and avoid sharing toys as much as possible. Even if your children feel well, when you’ve been in contact with other people, they could be asymptomatic carriers. Therefore, it will be important to use caution if you interact with elderly or high-risk relatives, neighbors, or friends.
Multisystem Inflammaroty Syndrome
While children are at lower risk for serious Covid-19 illness, they are still susceptible and recent reports indicate a link between Covid-19 and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in children. The CDC is working scientists and health care providers to learn more about this condition and its connection to Covid-19. If you think your child has Covid-19, please consult your family physician.
We’re here to help
As a member of the Schuykill County community, Jewel Women’s Center is committed to the health and safety of local families. We offer a variety of support services and material assistance for individuals facing an unexpected pregnancy. Our staff can also provide referrals for other community resources if your needs fall outside our scope of service. If you or someone you know, is in need of help, please contact us today!