How Can We Protect Children from COVID-19 Coronavirus?

As information about the coronavirus is updated daily, parents are increasingly concerned about protecting their children. Prof. Dr. Filiz Bakar, Head of the Department of Pediatrics at Yeditepe University Faculty of Medicine, stated that children might be kept safe with information about this virus and other similar viruses. 

Actually, Experts, reminding that millions of people worldwide face the flu every year, and some lose their lives, emphasized the need to take precautions against the coronavirus instead of fearing it. Noting that both diseases spread in a similar way, they offered the following recommendations for parents.

Make sure children wash their hands properly

One of the primary measures that can be taken both at home and at schools is handwashing. Ensure that children wash their hands before and after meals, after being in public places, and especially after being close to a sick person. Make sure that children wash their hands with water and soap for at least 20 seconds. In places where water is not available, use hand sanitizer, covering the entire hand, including the tops and between the fingers.

Strengthen  your immune system 

Having a strong immune system is crucial for preventing illness. A healthy diet, outdoor exercise, and adequate sleep help strengthen children's immunity. Ensure that children consume plenty of fluids.

“Teach children not to touch their faces with dirty hands”

As it may be challenging to enforce this with a child, explain to them that they should not touch their mouth, nose, or eyes without washing their hands. If they need to scratch their nose for any reason, teach them to use a tissue and dispose of it afterward. Ensure they use a tissue when sneezing or coughing and then dispose of it. If they don't have a tissue, instruct them to cough or sneeze into the upper part of their arm or towards their wrist, not their hands.

“Ensure not to touch surfaces in crowded Environment”

"In times of an pandemic, try to avoid closed, crowded spaces as much as possible. Especially, teach them to be careful while touching surfaces in closed areas such as shopping malls or public spaces. As it can be difficult to explain this to children , try to come up with creative solutions. Wiping commonly used chairs or tables with a wet wipe before using them can also be beneficial."

Avoid Sick People

Try to keep children away from sick individuals in your surroundings as much as possible. Ensure that individuals Who show disease symptoms such as sneezing or coughing are not close distance to them. However, there is no need to keep children away from schools or social environments. The important thing is to take necessary protective measures.

Ask guests who come from outside to wash their hands

Also ,Do not shake hands and Do not kiss people.

"If there is a sick family member, make use of a mask."

If someone in the family has a fever or cough, ensure they wear a mask and pay extra attention to handwashing.

“Prevent sick individuals from having contact with your child as much as possible."

"If there are signs of illness, do not send your child to school. Sending them to school with symptoms of infection could easily cause to the spread of the infection to other children."