Coronavirus:
6 Ways You can Keep Your Children Safe

A lot has been said and heard about the Coronavirus outbreak, but we as parents need to get clear-cut information regarding how to make sure that our children (babies as well as school-going kids) stay away from this nasty virus. A 9-month old baby was recently diagnosed with this virus in China, so we need to make sure we do everything possible to keep our children safe.

Here is your to-the-point guide on what it is, how bad it can get, and what to do to keep it away from your family.

What is Coronavirus – in baby language

It is a mystery virus that originated in China, but its cases have now been reported in different parts of the world (we can blame the planes and other transportation facilities). So, what once was a viral outbreak in a small town in China has gone all over the world. How?

An infected person traveling from the airport can spread the virus, and when these infected people travel, the virus also packs its bags and travels with them. The symptoms are almost like flu (which later look like those of pneumonia), so it is hard to tell if the person has Coronavirus or a seasonal flu, without a proper lab test.

How to talk to our kids about the Coronavirus?

As a parent we need to make sure our kids are in safe hands – or should we say, safe and sanitized hands! Here is how you can educate your kids and their curious little minds about the Coronavirus (Covid-19).

Coronavirus - what is it, how does it spread, and how to save your family from it.

Symptoms of Coronavirus:

Mild cases: runny nose, sore throat, cough, feeling tired, and fever.
Serious cases: High fever, difficulty in breathing, and pneumonia.

If you have recently traveled to Wuhan, China; or you know someone who has, you need to contact the health officials who will keep the suspected individuals in isolation until the test rules out their possibility of having this virus.

How Coronavirus Spreads between Children?

It is believed that the Coronavirus spreads through:

Sneezing and coughing
Handshakes
Sharing food and school items like pencils (some children have the habit of chewing the backside of the pen or pencil they are using)
Being in direct contact with an infected tissue, dirt, or garbage.

If you suspect having the Corona Virus (your Covid19 test result has come positive or you are experiencing some symptoms), here is our highly informative article on how to manage infants and kids when you think you have got the virus.

6 Ways You Keep Your Children Safe from Coronavirus?

Encourage your children to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.
If you have a baby at home, make sure that his/ her siblings don’t touch or hold the baby when coming from school or playground without washing their hands properly.
Keep a hand-sanitizer in your children’s bag and ask them to use the sanitizer before eating anything and after every playtime.
If you see someone coughing or sneezing, keep your kids (and yourself as well) away from that person.
Though you cannot totally avoid public places, make sure your kids do not touch their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed and un-sanitized hands.
If you know someone who has returned from Wuhan, China, you may want to wait a few weeks before meeting them. The initial symptoms of the Coronavirus may not look like a big deal, so it is better to wait and be safe.

This mystery virus does not have any cure at the moment. Although there are no vaccinations to prevent it, it is important to keep your babies and toddlers away from public places as much as you can. Also, make sure your school-going children have a sanitizer in their bag and that they wash their hands as soon as they reach home.