Coronavirus Awareness Guide: Kids

The following is a series of questions and answers provided to raise awareness on the coronavirus pandemic. We know these are scary times for all of us.

In these times of uncertainty and anxiety, may the content here bring comfort and confidence. Please read and share.

What is the single most important thing we can do to protect our kids?

Make sure they understand that hand-washing isn't optional. Show them how to do it properly: using soap, warm water and time. Washing should take 20 seconds, which means you may need to help them find a song they can sing (in their heads, maybe twice) — like the ABCs. Be sure they wash whenever they come in from outside, before eating, after coughing or sneezing or blowing their nose and, of course, after using the bathroom.

PHOTO CREDIT: JENNIFER MURRAY

With racist incidents toward Asians and Asian Americans, is this a teaching moment for social justice?

Absolutely. We must remind the children in our lives that viruses can make anyone sick, regardless of a person's race or ethnicity. No matter where scientists first documented COVID-19, this outbreak isn't anyone's fault. Similarly, just because someone looks different or talks differently, doesn't mean they are at a higher risk of getting the coronavirus or spreading it.

PHOTO CREDIT: MIN AN

This health crisis can be scary. How should we talk about it with kids?

Keep it simple, age-appropriate and fact-based. For example, don't tell your child they won't get COVID-19; you don't know that. Instead, the CDC suggests telling children that, from what doctors have seen so far, most kids aren't getting very sick. In fact, most people who've gotten COVID-19 haven't gotten very sick. Only a small group have had serious problems. Assure your kids, if they do get sick, the world is full of grown-ups who will help.

SOURCE: NPR/MALAKA GHARIB