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9 Questions Parents May Have About Coronavirus 9 Questions Parents May Have About Coronavirus
(about 16 hours later)
As coronavirus continues to spread across the globe, we’re working to answer the questions on many parents’ minds. This is a fast moving situation, so some information may be outdated. For the latest updates, read the New York Times’s live coronavirus coverage here.
This article was last updated on March 12.
Schools across the country are closing and sporting events are getting canceled because of the new coronavirus, and parents have many unanswered questions. In particular, should they continue taking their children to densely populated areas like playgrounds, movie theaters and museums, which may contain many other kids whose personal boundaries and hygiene levels are not always ideal?Schools across the country are closing and sporting events are getting canceled because of the new coronavirus, and parents have many unanswered questions. In particular, should they continue taking their children to densely populated areas like playgrounds, movie theaters and museums, which may contain many other kids whose personal boundaries and hygiene levels are not always ideal?
Because the situation is evolving rapidly and the virus is new, the advice may change as we learn more. “We’re not seeing much in the way of serious illness among children,” said Dr. Peter J. Hotez, M.D., Ph.D., the dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. “And as a result, we’re not really testing children nearly as much, so we don’t even know the role of children in the transmission of this disease.”Because the situation is evolving rapidly and the virus is new, the advice may change as we learn more. “We’re not seeing much in the way of serious illness among children,” said Dr. Peter J. Hotez, M.D., Ph.D., the dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. “And as a result, we’re not really testing children nearly as much, so we don’t even know the role of children in the transmission of this disease.”
With that in mind, here are some answers to common questions.With that in mind, here are some answers to common questions.
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It depends. The situation is changing by the hour, so your best bet is to regularly check your state and local public health department websites for recommendations, said Dr. Sean O’Leary, M.D., an executive member of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Committee on Infectious Diseases.It depends. The situation is changing by the hour, so your best bet is to regularly check your state and local public health department websites for recommendations, said Dr. Sean O’Leary, M.D., an executive member of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Committee on Infectious Diseases.
But as of now, the general advice is if you live in a community where the virus is actively spreading — like in Seattle — you may want to practice social distancing, said Dr. Hotez, which means sticking close to home and avoiding large groups of people. But if you live in a place where there is not reported community transmission, you can still take your child to the playground, the movies, to museums and sporting events. But as of now, the general advice is if you live in a community where the virus is actively spreading — like in Seattle — you may want to practice social distancing, said Dr. Hotez, which means sticking close to home and avoiding large groups of people. But if you live in a place where there is not reported community transmission, you can still take your child to the playground, the movies and to museums.
“We’re not recommending a lot of changes” for now, said Dr. Rebecca Pellett Madan, M.D., a pediatric infectious disease specialist at N.Y.U. Langone’s Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital, and a parent. “We’re not recommending a lot of changes” for now, Dr. Rebecca Pellett Madan, M.D., a pediatric infectious disease specialist at N.Y.U. Langone’s Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital, and a parent, said on Sunday. But of course, guidelines are changing rapidly.
As always, encourage hand washing when children come in from outside and before and after meals. Kids should sing “Happy Birthday” twice to know how long to wash their hands, and then make sure they are drying them thoroughly. There’s some evidence that paper towels are more hygienic than hand dryers in public bathrooms. Hand washing is also more effective than hand sanitizer, though hand sanitizer can be used when hand washing is not an option. Several large sporting events and parades, which tend to draw massive crowds in closed quarters, are getting canceled or postponed across the country. The N.B.A. announced it was suspending its season after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for the virus. The St. Patrick’s Day parades in Chicago and Boston were canceled, and the parade in Manhattan was postponed.
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As always, encourage hand washing when children come in from outside and before and after meals. Kids should sing “Happy Birthday” twice to know how long to wash their hands, and then make sure they are drying them thoroughly. There’s some evidence that paper towels are more hygienic than hand dryers in public bathrooms. Hand washing is also more effective than hand sanitizer, though hand sanitizer can be used when hand washing is not an option.
Recipes for homemade hand sanitizer are circulating online, but none of the experts I spoke to recommended making your own, even if stores have run out. Many popular brands of hand sanitizer, like Purell or Highmark, have an established concentration of alcohol, generally between 60 and 95 percent, Dr. Madan said, which helps ensure their effectiveness. Additionally, she said, “we have experience using it in hospitals, and we know how effective it is.” The same evidence base for homemade recipes doesn’t yet exist.Recipes for homemade hand sanitizer are circulating online, but none of the experts I spoke to recommended making your own, even if stores have run out. Many popular brands of hand sanitizer, like Purell or Highmark, have an established concentration of alcohol, generally between 60 and 95 percent, Dr. Madan said, which helps ensure their effectiveness. Additionally, she said, “we have experience using it in hospitals, and we know how effective it is.” The same evidence base for homemade recipes doesn’t yet exist.
If you are using store-bought hand sanitizer, make sure that it’s at least 60 percent alcohol and that it fully dries before you or your child touch anything — otherwise it won’t work as well. Also keep in mind that hand sanitizers are not as effective when used on “visibly dirty or greasy” hands, according to the C.D.C.If you are using store-bought hand sanitizer, make sure that it’s at least 60 percent alcohol and that it fully dries before you or your child touch anything — otherwise it won’t work as well. Also keep in mind that hand sanitizers are not as effective when used on “visibly dirty or greasy” hands, according to the C.D.C.
No. Coronavirus symptoms can include fever, cough and shortness of breath, but if your child has a mild fever, runny nose or sore throat, you should call your pediatrician first before going anywhere. From what we know so far, runny noses — which are a near-constant among preschoolers — are rarely a symptom of infection with the new coronavirus, but sore throats sometimes are. “We want people who are not critically ill to stay out of the hospital,” Dr. Madan said. Keep your child out of school if he or she is sick.No. Coronavirus symptoms can include fever, cough and shortness of breath, but if your child has a mild fever, runny nose or sore throat, you should call your pediatrician first before going anywhere. From what we know so far, runny noses — which are a near-constant among preschoolers — are rarely a symptom of infection with the new coronavirus, but sore throats sometimes are. “We want people who are not critically ill to stay out of the hospital,” Dr. Madan said. Keep your child out of school if he or she is sick.
However, if your child develops more severe symptoms such as trouble breathing, an inability to eat or drink or a change in behavior, you should visit a doctor, Dr. Madan said. School districts in New York City are changing rules about how long you must keep a child with a fever home. Previous advice was that children must be fever-free without medication for at least 24 hours before returning to school, but now they are asking parents to keep children home for 72 hours after fever subsides.
If your child develops more severe symptoms such as trouble breathing, an inability to eat or drink or a change in behavior, you should visit a doctor, Dr. Madan said.
Unless your child has a history of direct contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus, a history of travel to affected areas or is sick enough to be hospitalized, it is unlikely she will be tested.Unless your child has a history of direct contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus, a history of travel to affected areas or is sick enough to be hospitalized, it is unlikely she will be tested.
“Availability of testing depends on where you are,” Dr. O’Leary said. “Even in the best case scenario, you can’t test everyone because there aren’t enough test kits at this point.” Older and higher-risk patients are being prioritized for testing because they tend to develop the most severe symptoms after infection.“Availability of testing depends on where you are,” Dr. O’Leary said. “Even in the best case scenario, you can’t test everyone because there aren’t enough test kits at this point.” Older and higher-risk patients are being prioritized for testing because they tend to develop the most severe symptoms after infection.
If your child does get tested, it’s unclear how quickly her results will come back — and the time frame will most likely depend on where you are, which lab is testing her and how long she’s been sick. “It’s all over the map,” Dr. O’Leary said. Anecdotally, he has heard about results taking anywhere from a few hours to seven days, depending on the state and the level of demand.If your child does get tested, it’s unclear how quickly her results will come back — and the time frame will most likely depend on where you are, which lab is testing her and how long she’s been sick. “It’s all over the map,” Dr. O’Leary said. Anecdotally, he has heard about results taking anywhere from a few hours to seven days, depending on the state and the level of demand.
A greater number of labs will be able to provide testing in the coming days, according to Dr. O’Leary. But because there may also be increased demand, it’s unclear whether that will speed up testing time overall.A greater number of labs will be able to provide testing in the coming days, according to Dr. O’Leary. But because there may also be increased demand, it’s unclear whether that will speed up testing time overall.
Dr. Madan said she sees no reason to stop for the time being, unless you’re in a place where officials recommend social distancing. While New York City hasn’t officially recommended social distancing, it has urged commuters of all ages to avoid getting on packed subway cars and to walk or bike to work, if possible. Dr. Madan said she sees no reason to stop for the time being, unless you’re in a place where officials recommend social distancing. While New York City hasn’t officially recommended social distancing, it has urged commuters of all ages to avoid getting on packed subway cars and to walk or bike to work, if possible. On Thursday, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said he had no plans to shut down the subway.
Because there isn’t much information yet about how children react to this virus, it’s tough to say what to do in this case, Dr. Hotez said. But Dr. Madan said that parents of children who have compromised immune systems should be taking it “day by day,” though they should probably avoid crowded events like sports games or conferences, even if they’re in places without community spread of the virus.Because there isn’t much information yet about how children react to this virus, it’s tough to say what to do in this case, Dr. Hotez said. But Dr. Madan said that parents of children who have compromised immune systems should be taking it “day by day,” though they should probably avoid crowded events like sports games or conferences, even if they’re in places without community spread of the virus.
You can wash bedsheets and towels more often. Jolie Kerr, a cleaning expert and frequent New York Times contributor, said that you could also wash stuffed animals more often (here’s how) and clean hard toys with antibacterial wipes regularly — particularly after outdoor use.You can wash bedsheets and towels more often. Jolie Kerr, a cleaning expert and frequent New York Times contributor, said that you could also wash stuffed animals more often (here’s how) and clean hard toys with antibacterial wipes regularly — particularly after outdoor use.
Older adults, especially those who have compromised immune systems, may not want to travel right now, said Dr. Madan, since they seem to be most vulnerable to the new coronavirus. For more general guidance on whether you should cancel your family’s travel plans, read our piece. The State Department is currently warning Americans not to travel on cruise ships at this time. Older adults, especially those who have compromised immune systems, may not want to travel right now, said Dr. Madan, since they seem to be most vulnerable to the new coronavirus. For more general guidance on whether you should cancel your family’s travel plans, read our piece. The State Department is currently warning Americans not to travel on cruise ships and is asking people to reconsider traveling abroad.
There is little data specifically about newborns at this time, said Dr. O’Leary. He recommended taking the usual hygienic precautions you would with infants, who are particularly vulnerable to other respiratory viruses like respiratory syncytial virus (R.S.V.) and the influenza virus: Wash your hands before handling an infant, and avoid taking your infant to crowded places.There is little data specifically about newborns at this time, said Dr. O’Leary. He recommended taking the usual hygienic precautions you would with infants, who are particularly vulnerable to other respiratory viruses like respiratory syncytial virus (R.S.V.) and the influenza virus: Wash your hands before handling an infant, and avoid taking your infant to crowded places.