Keeping Kids Safe During COVID-19

When one thinks of a healthy family in 2020, one must think of many layers of safety and protection. With covid -19 still increasing in the US, many families are having to reevaluate how they are focused on the academic education of their children, proper mask-wearing practices, and personal wellbeing when it comes to their health and wellbeing. Benjamin Harow keeps his children very safe. 

Many families are having meetings with their children to educate them on how to properly clean and sanitize their hands and personal belongings. Parents must frequently evaluate the safety of their children when it comes to going to school versus staying home with remote learning, allowing playdates, and socializing with neighborhood friends. Parents are also looking to the school system for guidance and to be reassured with security in the classroom as well as at home.

If the education system is not reinforcing the covid-19 protocols in the classroom it can put families in danger once the student returns home, and many parents are trying to emphasize best practices with their child before they leave the house, so they are safe in any situation.

Teaching and encouraging one’s child to wear a mask can be difficult, but there are many ways to get started in the home. One way is to show other children in the same age group wearing a mask this can highlight the importance of protection. One can also put a mask on a child’s favorite stuffed animal to show it is ok to wear a mask.

The placement and proper removal of the mask are important. Having a child wear a mask without covering the nose is like they are not wearing one at all. Also, frequent washing of a reusable mask is important. If someone’s child has an underlying condition, they should make sure to communicate with their healthcare provider to ensure best practices are being conducted.

Social distancing is another way one can help protect themselves from contracting covid-19. The CDC website talks about how the coronavirus spreads and they share that it is “between people who are in close contact with one another (within 6 feet)”. So, the best way to stay safe is to keep apart unless they are in the family unit.

Checking on the mental health of one’s child is important. If the coronavirus is in the front of their mind daily this can cause issues down the road for the child once everything settles down. Having a weekly update meeting with a family unit can help see where the child’s mindset is, and one is able to guide their child towards health thoughts and a sense of safety during this time.

When the family unit works together everyone will be safe. This means that if anyone is showing symptoms of covid-19 they should be quarantined from the rest of the family, get tested, properly sanitize the home, and remain separated until the results come back negative. Benjamin Harow believes this will ensure the protection of the rest of the family. Only when one can think of others will the virus be under control and things will get back to normal.