Tips for Safety When Returning to School
Going back to school has new meaning and presents new concerns for parents during the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) season. When reopening, schools must balance the educational, social, and emotional needs of their students alongside the health and safety of students and staff amid the evolving COVID-19 pandemic.
The decision of what school and learning will look like will likely be made at the local level by school councils and government officials. In general, schools choose one of three options:
- Distance learning. According to this model, all instruction is done remotely, using technology and other tools and my premium essay.
- Go to school in person. This model is similar to the traditional school, with intensified precautions and procedures for health and safety.
- Hybrid learning. This model includes elements of both distance learning and in-person school attendance.
Schools may adopt one or more approaches during the school year and the pandemic. Being prepared for a variety of learning environments can empower you and your child and reduce anxiety. In each case, there are steps you can take to reduce the risks of COVID-19, help your child feel safe, and make informed decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Practice safe distancing
Physical or social distancing is the practice of leaving enough space between people to reduce the spread of disease. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend keeping at least 6 feet (2 meters) of space between you and the people who do not live in your home to achieve these goals.
But this may not be practical in some schools or with young children. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says that following strict guidelines for physical distancing can create a conflict with ideal academic, social, and emotional learning standards. It's also unclear how easily COVID-19 spreads among children and resume writing world.
Measures to encourage physical distancing when learning in person at school may include:
- Remove lockers or organize them by student groups, or age groups
- Create one-way traffic in school corridors
- Being outdoors as much as possible for instruction, meals, and recess
- Reduce the number of children on school buses
- Create space between desks and put them all facing in the same direction
- Use physical barriers such as shields and Plexiglas partitions to separate educators and students
- Divide students into differentiated groups or age groups that are together during the school day, and reduce interaction between the different groups
Assessing the risks and benefits of in-person school learning for children may involve different levels of physical distancing based on the child's age and developmental stage. For example, the AAP recommends allowing interactive play for preschoolers, while encouraging separating students into groups and wearing masks for older children.
Wear a mask
The CDC and WHO recommend wearing cloth masks in public places where it is difficult to avoid close contact with other people, and schools are no exception. This advice is based on data showing that people with COVID-19 can spread the virus before they know they have it.
If your child's school requires or encourages the use of cloth masks, consider these tips:
- Putting on cloth masks should be a priority, especially when it is difficult to maintain physical distance, such as on the bus, where children are dropped off or picked up with the car, and when entering the building.
- Have several cloth masks for your child to wear. Every day, give your child a clean mask and a spare, and a clean, closable bag to put the mask on when not wearing it, such as at lunch.
- Clearly label your child's mask so it won't be confused with other children's.
- Practice with your child the correct way to put on and take off the cloth mask, avoiding touching the cloth parts.
- Remind your child to clean their hands before and after handling the mask.
- Instruct her never to share or change her masks with other children.
- Talk to your child about the importance of wearing a mask and set an example by wearing it as a family.
- Talk to your child about why some people can't wear masks, for health reasons.
Do not put a mask on children under 2 years old, children who have any breathing problems, or a child who has a condition that prevents them from removing the mask without help.
Keep your hands clean
Wash your hands at home with your child and explain why it is important to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before and after eating, sneezing or coughing, or adjusting the mask. To avoid being in a hurry, suggest that she wash her hands during the time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice. When handwashing is not possible, tell him to use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Also, explain that he should avoid touching his eyes, nose, and mouth.
Schools should have routines that encourage frequent hand washing and follow good hand hygiene practices, such as asking children to cover their mouths and noses with their elbows or with tissues when coughing or sneezing and then wash their hands.
If your child attends school in person, create before and after school routines that encourage healthy habits, such as giving him a spare mask and hand sanitizer in the morning, and washing his hands immediately after returning home.
Clean and disinfect
Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces can help reduce the risk of getting sick, regardless of whether your child is learning at home or school. This cleaning includes frequently touched objects such as door latches, faucets, keyboards, tablets, and phones and write my essay.
If you are sick, stay home.
You should monitor your child daily for signs of COVID-19. Some of these signs are:
- fever
- nasal congestion or runny nose
- cough
- throat pain
- shortness of breath
- fatigue
- headache
- muscle aches
- nausea or vomiting
- diarrhea
- lack of appetite
- new loss of sense of taste or smell
- abdominal pain
- conjunctivitis
Some schools may recommend taking your temperature daily as part of detecting COVID-19 symptoms. But since many of these symptoms are similar to those of other conditions, such as the common cold, allergies, and the flu or influenza, the effectiveness of this detection method may be limited.
To limit the spread of COVID-19 and other germs, children should stay home from school or participate in other activities if they have any signs of illness or fever. Contact your doctor if you have questions.
Don't stop giving vaccinations.
Make sure your child is up to date on all recommended vaccinations, regardless of whether the classes are held at school or home. All school-age children should get the flu (influenza) vaccine each season. Getting a flu shot is especially important this season because flu and COVID-19 cause similar signs and symptoms. Although the flu vaccine does not protect against COVID-19, it can reduce the risk of the flu and its complications. It's another layer of defense that helps avoid missing school days.
What to do if your child is exposed to COVID-19
If your child is going to attend school in person, take steps to prepare for possible exposure to COVID-19 and changing situations.
- Create a plan to protect the family and those in your household who are at risk for more serious illness, such as those with compromised immune systems, or chronic conditions.
- Make sure the information the school has for emergencies, and who brings the child to and from school, is up to date. If your list includes someone who is at risk of getting sick, consider adding an alternate contact and essay.
- Ask how the school will communicate with families if there is a positive case or exposure to someone with COVID-19, and how they plan to maintain student privacy.
- Plan ahead for quarantine or school closure periods. Schools may close if COVID-19 is spreading further in the community or if multiple children or staff test positive for the infection. Your child will also have to stay home if they are exposed to someone close to them who has COVID-19.
Taking these steps can help you be reassured that your children are as safe as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information on steps, local schools are taking to reduce the risk of getting sick, contact your local school district or local public health agency.
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