The fall will come to the US anytime soon. And, so is the time for kids to get back to school since the arrival of the pandemic. Once again, institution premises will be filled with students and teachers to continue the traditional act of learning. Soon, school friends will meet, study, and play after a while and bring back the past year of memories.
In the midst of all this, what will happen to kid’s safety during the minimal yet still the prevailing condition of Covid-19?
A majority of parents are indeed worried about their kids going back to school and might catch the highly contagious Delta virus. The fear is true, especially when small children are not eligible to get vaccinated.
Although, the American Academy of Pediatrics has strongly recommended the in-person study for children to experience interactive learning once again. Even CDC, find it a top priority.
Thus, to maintain a safe and hygienic environment at school premises, the following measures should be taken to protect kids and their family members.
1. Vaccinate All Family Members of a Child
The first and foremost way to protect your kid is to vaccinate all the family members. It is mandatory for every adult and children ages above 12 years to be vaccinated completely to lower the risk of getting affected with the Covid-19 virus.
This move will help the family members to stay protected against the airborne disease, even if the child brings the virus from school. It even protects the kid from transmitting the disease to others at the school.
Not to forget the fact that children of age 12 years or older are eligible to get vaccinated with the dose of any of the vaccines like Pfizer/BioNTech. It helps to maintain the effectiveness and safety against the Covid-19 virus while attending school among other kids on a daily basis.
Another interesting thing to notice is to discuss the importance of the Covid-19 vaccine with kids below 12 years. Let them feel empowered related to the ill effects of the virus, how to maintain social distance, wear a mask, and teach them other precautionary measures to stay safe and protected.
2. Enhance the Importance of Wearing a Face Mask
CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics have strongly recommended the wearing of a face mask for every person, even of children above 2 years at the school or while outside. Even a majority of school premises have their regular tie-up with reliable face mask suppliers in the USA for the regular supply of masks, PPE kits, and other relevant safety gear.
On top of that start teaching the school going kids about the relative importance of wearing a face mask at school or even outside at any place. Let them understand the fact that anyone can get affected by the Covid-19 virus, even without having primary symptoms of the virus. Let them know the importance of wearing a protective mask to prevent the spread of the virus, even if they are not vaccinated.
Especially children who have not made the habit of wearing a mask should now indulge in the regular practice of covering up their faces. Team your kids patiently about start wearing a face mask in public, not to touch lips, nose, or mouth, and no need to remove the mask again and again.
3. Discuss School Health Policies with Kid
There might be a situation when your child is afraid to go to school once again with a fear of getting affected by the Covid-19 virus. At such instances, talk to your kid first, letting him/her understand the necessary safety precautions to follow that decrease the chances of getting affected. A one on- one discussion with the children will help them to change their perspective a lot and make them ready for school again.
4. Encourage Hygiene
Encouraging personal hygiene at school is another precautionary measure to safeguard your kid. Apart from letting them understand the relative importance of wearing a face mask and preventive measures against Covid-19. Also, teach them the steps required to maintain a personal level of hygiene.
Teach your children about washing hands after touching every high-in touch surface at school, playing equipment, while using the restroom, or anything like that. Let them practice the 20-sec handwash things to keep the germs away and maintaining hygiene all the time. Even if the soap is not available at all times in the school, then encourage the kids to use alcohol-based hand sanitiser. All such practices will help the young lad to follow the basic yet important safety and hygiene protocols while attending the school on a daily basis.
5. Get Them Safety Supplies in School
Apart from packing the bags of young lads with notebooks, pencils, and other stuff. The new and must-have additions to the kid’s bag also include extra face masks and hand sanitisers. It is necessary for them to have all the safety essentials in extra quantity, in case they lost one. Most commonly, kids might lose a face mask or mix up with others while playing. So, to avoid the spread of disease, pack their bag with extra face masks with a label mentioning their name to avoid confusion.
Concluding Thoughts
It is imperative to keep children safe and secure with the opening of schools during the Covid-19 situation. Both parents and kids should share the information and safety essentials to stay protected. Even schools and educational institutions get the medical and face masks supply ready in coordination with one of the largest PPE distributors, Co-Defend