Coronavirus Resources for Families with Kids

By: Zoë Carney

We know it’s difficult to keep up with the rapid influx of information about Coronavirus. That’s why we created a COVID-19 Safety Tips and Health Resources page. We curated this guide specifically for families with kids to navigate daily life during the coronavirus pandemic.

This resource includes safety instructions from the CDC, state-specific health guidelines, and fun activity ideas your kids will love.

Coronavirus Resources for Families with Kids

According to the CDC, there are a few actions you can take to help protect yourself, your family, and others from COVID-19.

COVID-19 is mostly spread person-to-person.

• Try to stay at least 6 feet away from anyone who is not a member of your household. We understand that many people must leave home for work, so this is not possible for everyone.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Here’s list of songs compiled by CNN that can help you keep track of time!
• Wear a mask if you leave your home. Here are CDC mask recommendations and a tutorial for making your own. Even if you are wearing a face covering, you should keep a safe distance between yourself and others whenever possible.
• If you are in a private space without your face mask, use a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Immediately throw away the tissue and wash your hands. If you do not have a tissue, cover your cough or sneeze with the inside of your elbow.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces every day. Use soap and water if the surfaces are dirty, then use regular household disinfectant. 

This information can be found on the CDC website. 

Best Practices for Buying Groceries and Other Essential Items

Shop for groceries curbside or delivery if available. If you must go into a store to shop, it’s best to do the following:

• Disinfect the cart.
• Wear a mask.
• Stay 6 feet away from other customers.
• Try to go to the store during less crowded hours.
• Do not touch your face.
• Only touch items you intend to purchase.
• Use touchless payment when possible.
• Use hand sanitizer when you’re finished shopping & wash your hands when you arrive back home.

Best Practicing for Ordering & Accepting Delivery

• Avoid contact when you can.
• Attempt to pay over the phone and ask for packages to be left at the door or in the lobby, if possible.
• Wash hands after accepting deliveries.

Best Practices Getting Gasoline

• Use gloves or disinfect buttons.
• Use hand sanitizer before getting back into your car.
• Wash your hands with soap and water when you return home.

Best Practices for Doctor and Pharmacy Visits

• Use telemedicine services when possible.
• Reschedule procedures that are not urgent.
• Before you visit, inform the office if you are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms or if you think you have been exposed to COVID-19.
• If you must go to the visit, follow regular coronavirus guidelines. Do not touch your face. Wear a mask. Stay 6 feet away from others. Disinfect surfaces that you need to touch. Use hand sanitizer. Wash your hands when you return home.
• Use pharmacy drive-through windows when possible.

Exercise Ideas for Adults & Kids

Exercise can be helpful for your physical and mental health. It’s also a fun way to pass the time!

• You may be able to go to the park. Check out the CDC website for park & recreation safety tips. Basically, stay home if you are sick or have been exposed to COVID-19. Stay 6 feet away from other people. Wear a cloth mask. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer if you touch anything. Do not use public playgrounds.
• Popsugar Fitness has over 500 free workouts. These workouts were designed for adults, but kids have fun jumping around while their caregivers work out!
• Check out this list of super fun workouts for kids via Romper. My personal favorite is Cosmic Kids Yoga!

How to Explain Coronavirus to Kids

There are helpful resources for explaining COVID-19 to kids. Check out this free coronavirus children’s book written by an expert, Dr. Christine Borst. 

Commonly Asked Coronavirus Questions and Answers

We gathered some of the most commonly asked questions about coronavirus and answered them for you here.

What does COVID-19 stand for?

COVID-19 is shorthand for Corona Virus Disease 2019.

What is the treatment for the coronavirus disease?

There is no vaccine or FDA approved anti-viral medication to treat COVID-19. According to Harvard Health Publishing, you should get plenty of rest, stay hydrated, and use proper dosage of acetaminophen for pain relief.

WHO recommends seeking medical attention if you have have a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.  

What is the recovery time for the coronavirus disease?

Recovery time depends on how ill you become in the first place. WHO reported that it takes an average of two weeks to recover. For those who experience serious symptoms, it could take up to eight weeks to recover, according to BBC.

How can I care for a family member with coronavirus disease at home?

WHO provides specific recommendations for ill people, members of an ill person’s household, and caregivers of ill people.

How is coronavirus related to SARS?

The viruses that caused COVID-19 and the SARS outbreak of 2003 are genetically related but the diseases are quite different, according to WHO.

Is coronavirus like the flu?

Yes and no. 

There are similarities between COVID-19 and the seasonal flu. 

• The two have overlapping disease presentations. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, both cause fever, cough, body aches, and fatigue. They sometimes cause vomiting and diarrhea as well. They can both develop into pneumonia. 
• The way they spread is also similar– the viruses spread from person to person through droplets in the air from an infected person coughing, sneezing, or talking. Both can spread by an infected person before the person shows symptoms. 

But there are also important differences between COVID-19 and the flu.

• They are caused by different viruses.
• There are flu vaccines, whereas there are not yet any vaccines available for COVID-19.
• Unlike for the flu, there are currently no approved antiviral medications for treatment of COVID-19.
• COVID-19 is estimated to to be about 10 times more lethal than the seasonal flu, according to Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Disease. We do not know the true death rate yet, however. The New York Times reports that unofficial COVID trackers show that about 6.4 percent of infected people have died worldwide. 
• COVID-19 may stay in the air and infect others even after the infected person leaves, as noted by Johns Hopkins. 

What are coronavirus symptoms?

According to the CDC, the following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Chills
• Repeated shaking with chills
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell

Emergency warning signs of COVID-19 include trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse, and bluish lips or face. CDC notes that this list is not all-inclusive. Call 9-11 immediately if you experience a medical emergency. 

Are the symptoms for the coronavirus disease different in children than in adults?

According to the CDC, symptoms are similar in children and adults. However, symptoms in children are often milder.

Am I more at risk if I’m pregnant?

According to the CDC, it is currently unknown whether pregnant women have a greater chance of getting sick from COVID-19. However, pregnant people have been more at risk for illness from other viruses from the same family as COVID-19.

Can I breastfeed if I have coronavirus?

You should talk to your doctor about this question. The CDC reports that there are no studies so far that show COVID-19 in breastmilk. If you are sick and decide to breastfeed, wear a face mask and wash hands before feeding. The CDC provides  pumping guidelines as well.

Quality Coronavirus Resources

U.S. and International Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

World Health Organization

National Institute of Health

U.S. Department of Education

U.S. Department of State

United Nations

U.S. State and Territory Health Departments

Coronavirus Resources for Fun with Kids at Home

Now for the fun part! We know your day isn’t all cleaning and feeding and thinking about the virus– we hope! Please check out these activity ideas your kids will love.

Please keep in mind that I am not a health expert–I simply gathered resources to help you navigate COVID-19. Stay well!

Source: https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/137915/coronavirus-resources-for-families-with-kids/

The content is owned by Zoë Carney. Visit site here for other valuable articles.

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