The Coronavirus or Covid19 as it is known has shaken up the entire world. It is the biggest fear of the people now and many countries are in lock down. In this situation, it is better to be safe and take precautions beforehand.

With all the fear and media coverage of the coronavirus it is clear that people above 60 are more prone to the virus than youngsters.  The problem is that this fear has left kids with the impression that getting the virus can lead to death Parents should be able to explain to kids what the virus is, what the risks that they are up against, and how to take precautions. This will give them courage before they are mislead by false information.

What is Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

What the world is now facing is a type of coronavirus. This is a group of viruses that can cause diseases in both humans and animals. The virus affects the respiratory tract and is usually mild. In certain cases it has proved to be severe like SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) and the most recent COVID-19.

COVID-19 is the latest type of coronavirus to be detected. It is believed to have started in China in December 2019. The world still could not find vaccine for it. Symptoms include dry cough, tiredness, fever and difficulty in breathing.

The virus can infect people without showing symptoms for up to 14 days. This is why it is considered dangerous. You will not know if you are infected for up to 14 days giving the virus enough time to infect other people you come into contact with.

How does the Virus Spread?

The virus can spread through droplets from person to person. Droplets of body fluids, such as saliva and mucus, contain the virus. It spreads when an infected person sneezes or coughs onto you, when you touch someone who has the virus on their body, or you touch some surface which has the virus left on it through contact with an infected person.

The virus is said to have first appeared in a seafood market in Wuhan, China. Health experts are still looking into this fact.

How to inform Kids about the Virus?

Kids are exposed to social media at a very early age nowadays. The bad thing about social media is that a lot of misleading facts are spread through this platform.

So it is not a surprise that a lot of fear about the coronavirus has already been spread among children.

Parents have to know that not informing kids about the virus can lead them to unnecessary worries… Therefore it is better for them to receive information that is vetted by the parents and based on facts rather than rumours.

The parents need to be reassured and be able to answer all their doubts. Do not give them too much information which they may not understand. Give only what is required. Inform them about all the precautions they need to take against the virus and help them do it.

The most important thing to do is to keep talking to them. Give them confidence so they will feel reassured. Keep them updated and try to correct any inaccurate information they get from social media.

Precautions against the virus

You should be aware of the disease and be proactive. As of the saying, prevention is always better than cure. So, some of the precautions that you can take against the virus are:

• Wash your hands with soap and water at regular intervals for a minimum of 20 seconds. Washing hands should be done properly before and after every meal and every time you return home from outside.

• If soap and water is not available, hand sanitizers with more than 60% alcohol content can be used.

• Maintain at least 1 meter distance from anyone who is coughing or sneezing or has some kind of fever.

• Do not touch your face without washing your hands. Hands touch many surfaces and therefore can contract viruses. When you touch your face, the virus can get into your body.

• Avoid going to crowded areas and large gatherings such as weddings and religious congregations. Try to avoid using public transportation such as the metro or bus service.

• Abide by the travel restrictions given by the local authority

• Leave your house only when it is unavoidable. Doing so increases the risk of both you and your family getting infected.

• Clean and disinfect your house frequently

• If you feel sick and have any of the symptoms of the virus, seek medical help immediately and try to avoid contact with others.

How to take Extra Precautions for Kids?

• Avoid sending them to buy essentials and restrict them from wandering around the neighborhood unnecessarily.
• Though it is difficult, do not allow them to play with other children even when you are close by and can keep an eye on them.
• Do not visit houses of relatives unnecessarily.
• Teach them how to wash their hands in the proper manner.
• Help them build a habit of washing their face, hands and legs when they come in from outside.
• When parents come in from outside, avoid giving your children things like car keys, your phone or any packages. Hugs also till the parent has cleaned up.
• Avoid food from outside.
• Make children wash their hands thoroughly before every meal.
• Provide them some kind of entertainment so that they will not be desperate to go outside during lockdowns. Kids need to be occupied and the best way to do it is to spend time with them.
• When telling them to do things, make them understand why they have to do it. Kids won’t like it if you prevent them from doing something without giving reasons.
• Maintain a routine when at home during lockdown. A fixed routine to stick to is comforting and eliminates a lot of uncertainties in the kids’ minds.

Activities to keep your Kid Entertained during Lockdowns                           

• Bring out those board games that are hidden in the back of all your old stuff
• Help them learn a new talent like cooking
• Develop new hobbies like reading or drawing
• Online courses can be taken to develop new skills
• Watch movies on streaming platforms
• Allow kids to maintain contact with their peers using video call and social media
• Kids can be taught how to plan and use their supplies so that they don’t run out of it during critical times.

Nutrition

A very good time to teach your kids about nutrition. They need to learn that one of the best ways to prevent any disease is to have a strong immune system. We need to eat healthy to have a healthy life.

A healthy diet along with good hygiene can help you in building your resistance. Include raw and partially cooked salads in your diet to increase the intake of minerals. Kids should also be taught how to cook healthy foods.

To sum up

Coronavirus is a huge threat to the society now. Even if it is not fatal to everyone, the virus easily spreads and therefore anyone can contact it. The danger is increased because you will not know if you are infected until after fourteen days and by that time the virus may have spread to the people around you. Because of this, everyone is living in fear.

Kids look up to their parents for solutions to all their problems. It is your duty to help them understand what the virus is and help them remain calm. You have to help them understand the precautions they have to take to remain healthy and not contract the virus. Kids have to understand that by staying at home and not wandering around, they are reducing the risk to themselves, their friends and their families.

As novel coronavirus is the pandemic that the world is facing now, like all other pandemics that have occurred in the world, we will overcome this too. We as individuals have to do whatever we can to prevent ourselves from contracting this disease. If one person takes precautions, many lives can be saved.

Therefore, protect yourself and your family. Help your family, especially your kids, to take the necessary precautions and stay safe. This pandemic will also pass if we do our bit contributing towards reducing the risk of spreading the virus.