Kids are back in school and keeping them safe during the COVID-19 pandemic is of the utmost importance. Phillip Devadan, MD, a pediatrician and Pediatric Emergency Director at Chilton Medical Center, offers some ways to minimize the risk of contracting – and spreading – coronavirus at school:
Perform a Symptom Check Before School
A fever higher than 100.4, cough, nasal congestion, gastrointestinal distress, and the loss of smell or taste are all signs that your child should stay home. While other less-serious conditions like the common cold can share some of these symptoms, it’s better to be safe than sorry during these unprecedented times.
Mask Up
Having your kids wear a mask indoors protects not only themselves, but others as well. The highly contagious Delta variant has compelled the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to recommend masks regardless of vaccination status.
Limit Close Contact
Continue to encourage social distancing whenever possible. Your kids should sit as far away as possible from others in the classroom, on the bus and in other close quarters.
Establish a Routine
Activities like proper masking and hand washing are easier to remember if you work with your kids to establish a daily routine. The more your children repeat these healthy habits, the more likely they are to maintain them.