PANDEMIC PARENTING

Expert advice to keep kids safe in the time of COVID-19

BY AMBER PORTER

Runny noses, coughs, and aches are common, especially during hemisphere, where it’s now their traditional flu season, we have seen the winter season. Which symptoms should prompt COVID-19 a decrease in cases. So it is possible. The flu shot is still recommended concerns for a parent? Kids’ symptoms appear to be milder [than to anyone over 6 months of age. adults]; only about half have a fever. Loss of taste and smell are relatively specific symptoms that raise concern. If your kids have been in Are there sports or hobbies that parents should be more cautious big groups of people, in close proximity to people not wearing masks about than others? A group of doctors issued guidelines on sports, for more than 15 minutes, or have been in contact with someone who like keeping kids practicing in small pods to limit exposure. Sports with has COVID-19, that would raise my alert. It’s tricky, but it’s important longer contact time and closer proximity may have more transmission to be vigilant about your kids and call your pediatrician for advice. risk. We are still trying to understand the safety of band and choir regardWhat cases have you seen that may show how the virus is transmit- longer. Right now, it’s all based on limited data and limited ability to test. ting to kids? People are just starting to be systematic about what their contacts were. Preliminarily, it seems [for] most who tested positive… When kids return to the classroom, what can parents do to help their only other contact is an adult in the house. That’s the data now younger kids stay safe? Wearing a mask seems to be the single most as schools aren’t open and people are largely keeping to themselves. important thing we can all do. We have been pleasantly surprised at With recent larger gatherings just occurring, we have to be careful and younger kids’ ability to wear masks. Tell kids why it’s important. Let them wait and see what those effects have been. wear it for a few minutes and for longer periods of time. I’m Is there any safe way to gather with family and friends it’s become rote to have kids cleaning their hands. for upcoming holidays? If we are in a situation where ing aerosols; singing may generate smaller particles that stay in the air also thrilled to see that people are doing hand hygiene and we do not have a vaccine, we still have to be very careful. What restrictions should parents put around their The mortality rate…is high over age 65 in general, so those teens’ socializing and activities? Set safety rules, and populations have to be really cautious and perhaps choose ABOUT THE DOCTOR hold kids accountable. Have a daily conversation about to not join in person. Virtual gatherings are a safe option. Dr. Alexis Elward is St. Louis their plans, and check in about what they're doing. If a child Children’s Hospital’s chief doesn’t have underlying health conditions, it’s a reasonWhat should parents expect for flu season intersect- medical officer, a professor able risk to have a public-facing job. Businesses putting ing with COVID-19? Influenza is always unpredictable. at the Washington Univer- smart and simple practices in placemake it possible to With current greater attention to social distancing, mask- sity School of Medicine, operate safely. For babysitting, you have to think about ing, and hand hygiene, we do wonder if we might see less and a pediatric infectious the household environment, their comings and goings, transmission of other viruses this winter. In the southern disease expert. and the family’s expectations.