03/03/2020
Is your child worried about the Corona Virus? We have seen images of people on television wearing face masks, news about schools closing, talk about putting people into quarantine, all of which can be very frightening for young children. So how do we talk to our children about the virus?
Don’t avoid talking about it, at this stage it is very likely that even the youngest children will have heard about it. Having these conversations can ease their fears and address any misconceptions they may have. So, be calm and keep it simple.
Remember the Corona Virus is actually a version of the common cold virus. Just like the flu, it spreads by coughing and sneezing, or by hand contact. For every 10 people who get the virus, 8 of them will get a very mild dose. Some others will get a nasty flu but are still are fine afterwards. A very small number of people who get it can get very sick. Reassure your child that very few children get the virus, and most that do have had the very mild type. In fact, some little babies have had it, and have recovered well. But people who already have serious health conditions, and elderly people have to be very careful to try to avoid it.
Most people if they get it will have to stay in bed until they get better. They won’t go to the doctor but will try not to mix with other people as they can spread it by coughing. If people get the more serious case, they will go to hospital where the doctors will look after them. Reassure your child that we have wonderful doctors, nurses and paramedics who are there to help us. We also have very clever doctors and researchers who are working to find a vaccination to protect people from the virus.
Remember to tell them that if they are worried just ask any questions. They shouldn't worry if some of their friends at school tell them stories about the virus, always come to you and ask.
There are three important things that our children can do to help protect themselves, their friends and family:
• Wash your hands regularly
Try to wash your hands with soap and water more often than you usually would. When you have been outside, every time before you eat, after using the bathroom, after being in any public place (like a playground). Wash for at least 20 seconds – sing the alphabet while you wash – and wash in between fingers well.
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow
The virus is spread when little droplets from your lungs spread and carry germs. So make sure to always cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow. If you sneeze into your elbow the germs aren’t spreading in the air. Throw away any tissues after you use them.
• Try not to touch your face
Try not to touch your mouth, rub your eyes, or pick your nose! These are the places where germs enter our bodies, so by not touching them it is less likely the germs can get into your system.
Finally, we often talk about teaching our children to be compassionate, however there is a tendency to say to children ‘don’t worry about the Corona Virus, the only people in danger are those who are sick or the elderly’. We are doing this without any regard for those who are chronically ill, the elderly, or those with a compromised immune system. If we are serious about teaching our children about compassion, we should teach them that all of us have a responsibility to be careful to avoid the virus to protect those more vulnerable. Even if we don’t have the virus ourselves, and we are strong and healthy, everyone needs to make sure to do the three things above to try to limit it spreading, and to protect the people who are most vulnerable.
