Corona virus scare and children

By Bidemi Nelson

SIR: The level of infamy enjoyed by the Corona virus has caused various trepidations across the world’s continents. With such an incurable disease on the prowl and the ease of infection, one can only wonder “Who’s Next”?

Nigeria’s reported cases of Corona virus have elicited the same global responses of quarantining, alongside prevention measures of hand-washing, hand-sanitization, nose and mouth covering while sneezing/coughing, among others.

At this point, it is important to consider the preventive health measures being sensitized about, from sources such as the World Health Organization, among others, on this disease with respect to children.

First, it is important to inform children to stay away from people including children, with flu-like symptoms, that is people who sneeze or cough repeatedly (they should maintain at least a distance of three feet from such people).

While not everyone who sneezes or coughs is infected, the likelihood of an infection cannot also be ruled out. Also, many people sometimes forget to cover their noses or mouths while sneezing or coughing.

In the event of being sneezed or coughed upon, they should wash their hands and the body parts that have the droplets of the sneeze or cough.

Children should also endeavour to cover their mouths and noses while coughing or sneezing, whether or not they are infected.

Second, please instruct children to politely decline shows of affection from anyone particularly handshakes, hugs and kisses.

All of these kinds of contact must be refrained from at this time. Please inform their teachers and school administrators about this too. The virus is highly contagious and can spread to children through any of these mediums of touch.

Third, the sharing of toys at this time should be banned. While the collaborative toy games are ways children can relax and develop certain skills, toys have surface areas that the droplets of an infected person can land on.

Children in their usual fashion play with these toys and even put some of them in their mouths. This can expose them to infection.

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Also, this is the time to sanitize all toys in your homes or schools and ensure that they are put away, at least for now.

Fourth, discourage children from touching their faces, especially their eyes, nostrils and mouths with their fingers. If they must touch their faces, let them have handy tissues in their bags for that purpose. These tissues should be properly disposed in a trash can after use.

Fifth, children should be discouraged from spitting or sneezing on the floor in public places such as their schools and places of worship, among others.

If they must spit or sneeze, they should do it in a tissue and dispose it properly in a trash can. They should never throw their used tissue paper in the open space.

In addition, going to crowded places at this time should be discouraged by parents especially if their children will be there too.

Sixth, children should be discouraged from touching door knobs or taps directly. This is because several people touch these same surfaces daily and some of these people could be infected.

If they must use a door knob or a tap, they should use handy tissue paper to prevent their hands from touching these surfaces, directly. The tissues should be properly disposed in a trash can.

Also, children should have access to hand sanitizers and the use of the sanitizer should be explained to them. Parents should ensure that children use face masks in public and crowded places, including when they are in a public transportation system. Please remember to change face masks daily and if it is re-usable, please wash after use.

Aside from these, children should be encouraged to take lots of water and eat foods that will strengthen their immunity (balanced diet).

Parents and school chefs should ensure children’s meals are properly washed and cooked, especially meat. It is also important for parents and teachers to take note of children with flu-like symptoms such as sneezes and coughs. Such children should be quickly taken to the hospital for examination and healthcare services.

Bidemi Nelson, Shield of Innocence Initiative, Ibadan.