Coronaviruses are a common type of virus, symptoms of a coronavirus typically include fever, runny nose and a cough. Covid-19 is a strand of coronavirus that humans have never contracted before. The current evidence is that most cases appear to be mild similar to that of a cold or flu and most of those who have died appear to have had pre-existing health conditions. However, with the spread of COVID-19 more and more cases are indicating that the virus affects a wider range of the population with severe symptoms than originally thought.
The NHS has said evidence suggests that while children can catch COVID-19, very few children will develop a severe infection if they have a compromised immune system or not.
Research is still being undertaken and scientists are still assessing how this particular strand of coronavirus spreads from person to person, so they are looking to similar viruses which tend to spread via cough and sneeze droplets. This means that when someone who is infected with COVID-19 coughs or sneezes they release droplets. These droplets can either be inhaled directly by another person or transferred to another person through contact. This could be through any means of touch, then if the uninfected person touches their face the virus is then contracted. Alternatively, the virus is able to survive on surfaces such as handles, countertops or playground structures for an extended period of time. This means that the virus can be transferred through touching these surfaces and then touching your face.
This is why it is so important to consistently wash your hands, especially when you are travelling from place to place. This is also why it is so important to stay home and self isolate if you believe you have been in contact with someone who has symptoms or you are showing symptoms yourself to help prevent the spread of the virus.
The World Health Organisation also states that the best way to prevent and slow down spread is to be well informed about coronavirus, the symptoms it causes and how it spreads. They suggest you protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol-based rub frequently and not touching your face.
The World Health Organisation has released posters advising ways you can talk to your children about coronavirus without scaring them. It is best to be open and honest with them about what is going on throughout the world, they would have heard something, whether that is through the news or having overheard you speaking about it. Allow your children to speak freely about what they think is going on and answer any questions they might have for you. It is ok to not know the answers to these questions, considering how rapidly information is changing every day. Your children may be scared, especially if they are getting their information from unreliable sources such as hearsay from friends, so allow your children to express these fears or confusions they have to you and reassure them that no matter what happens, you are there for them and they can talk to you about anything that concerns them at any time. And finally, it is a good idea to end on a positive note, check that they are ok and find positive stories that are also coming out due to coronavirus. This could be about how the air pollution has dramatically dropped in areas due to people being in isolation or about ways communities are coming together during this time to help those in need. You can also discuss with them different ways they could help make a difference to someone during this time. Impressing the importance of washing their hands for at least 20 seconds can be done in a fun and interactive way. This could be through making up a handwashing song that has actions or dance moves incorporated, or you could have a sticker chart to track how often they wash their hands throughout the day.
These school closures are not like other occasions such as snow days, children are not encouraged to get together and entertain each other. With your children required at home, spending the entire time on a tablet is not really ideal, however limited tablet time may need to be relaxed. Social media is filled with easy and fun arts and crafts videos your children could try. Alternatively, there are the classics such as making bird feeders, newspaper pirate hats or making your own playdough.
Boardgames and card games may seem like an obvious choice, but you could mix it up by having the winner have a day off of chores. Alternatively, your children could try and learn one new game a day and teach you their new favourite on a family game night at the end of the week.
Baking and cooking together is a great way to get creative while learning a new skill. There are also plenty of healthy alternatives to some of the classic desserts. This way can get creative while avoiding a hefty sugar rush. It is also a great way to teach your children about what different things go in to making their favourite meals and snacks.
A giant jigsaw puzzle with thousands of pieces is a great way to spend a few hours inside. You can leave the puzzle out somewhere safe that it will not get ruined and people can come and go as they please and work on it in their own time. When you are done you can frame it and hang on the wall. Otherwise, a big book of brain teasers will help melt the hours away, ideally one with many different types of brain teasers.
Alternatively, reading is always a great option. Whether this is you reading aloud to them, them reading aloud to each other or reading alone. You could have a family book going and have a turn reading to each other each day.
Set up an indoor laser field. Use some ribbons or streamers and tape them to a variety of surfaces, creating an indoor laser field. Whoever gets through the field fastest or most creatively wins!
Have a dance party to get some exercise. If your kids are still feeling like they have extra energy to burn at the end of the day, what better way to end it than with a dance party? See if they can teach you the new dance moves or see who can dance the longest without stopping!
Share your ideas around with other parents, while they may not be in the exact same boat as you, they will still have bored children at home getting restless and will appreciate the thought and will hopefully pass along some ideas they have found helpful!
Good and consistent personal hygiene is the most effective way to limit the spread of COVID-19 as well as regularly cleaning and disinfecting your home. Below are a few everyday precautions you and your children can adopt to best avoid the contraction and spread of the disease.
If you think you might have coronavirus or you have been in close contact with someone who has it, stay at home and avoid close contact with other people, do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital at the risk of spreading the disease and use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do next. It is important that you and your family take all the necessary precautions you can to ensure the safety of your loved ones and well as preventing the spread of COVID-19.
