Parents, here’s how to calm coronavirus concerns
With COVID-19 spreading in the U.S., your children may be hearing a lot about the outbreak from TV, the internet, or they may have talked about it in school. It’s possible with all of the information circling around, some of what they hear may frighten them.
Talking points
Here are some tips, courtesy of the National Association of School Nurses and other medical experts, for chatting with your children about COVID-19.
Let them know they can ask about COVID-19, but don’t force conversations. Be honest, calm and reassuring. We’re all concerned about the potential risks of COVID-19, and it is fine to acknowledge that. But if you panic, your kids will too. While you can’t guarantee that COVID-19 won’t impact them or someone they know, you can reassure them many adults are working hard to keep them safe, including you.
Fight fear with facts.
Share information with your kids in age-appropriate terms they can understand. Some points you may want to use include:
*Not everyone will get sick, and some will only have a mild illness.
*COVID-19 seems to spread like cold and flu germs — through close contact with someone who has the infection, such as when that person coughs or sneezes. It also may spread when people touch surfaces contaminated with COVID-19.
Tell them how to stay healthy.
Because we don’t have a COVID-19 vaccine yet, knowing how they can help prevent COVID-19 may help your kids feel less anxious. Here are some of the best ways to do that:
*Wash your hands often. Scrub with soap and water for 20 seconds. Make up a silly song or sing the ABC’s.
*Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue, throw it away and wash your hands. In a pinch, cough or sneeze into your elbow.
*Don’t share food or drinks.
*Try hard not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth. These are places where germs can enter the body.
*Give gentle fist or elbow bumps instead of high-fives.
*Unplug. Instead of listening or watching continual updates on COVID-19, read a book, enjoy an activity together, or take a walk.
Be prepared to right any rumors, xenophobia and blame. As COVID-19 has spread around the globe, so have many myths. It’s OK to let them know when you don’t know an answer. Take a few minutes to research the answer together. Use reliable sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Listen to your child’s concerns about COVID-19 and correct any confusion. You can find accurate and current info at the CDC’s coronavirus disease website. If other people say hurtful or inaccurate things around your family, talk to your children about why those things are wrong to say.
Just be there for them.
It’s always important to give your children lots of love and attention, but they may need a little more of it now. Establish some time to spend together daily playing their favorite game, reading a book, or having a family movie night. Sometimes your presence alone is enough to calm their nerves.
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Kootenai Health and the Panhandle Health District are actively working to share information about COVID-19 with our community. While there is no need to be afraid, being prepared is important. You can find the latest updates and ways to protect yourself at cdc.gov/covid19. If you have questions about COVID-19 or think you may have the virus, call the Panhandle Health District COVID-19 hotline at 1-877-415-5225.
