Children before going back to school and the new reality with COVID-19

Institutes and schools have had to reinvent themselves in order to guarantee a COVID-free environment and safe facilities and circuits for their teachers and students. Strong security measures for preserve health:

• from the age of six.
• Methodical hand washing.
• Ttemperature oma before entering the facilities (consultation).
• In many schools the passage of parents or caregivers to the educational center has been restricted.

Despite the measures adopted, a part of the families would have opted for not take your child to school. Fear of infect risky cohabitants, the reluctance to receive classes in unpleasant conditions and the uncertainty of not being able to plan life in the face of possible confinement are some reasons. On the other hand, with the work-life balance and the needs of children's socialization They weigh a lot and need a “new or not” normality, but close to what we previously knew.

A necessary and beneficial return for them

After six months of confinement this year, going back to school could be most beneficial than ever for children. The fear of adults falls on children so it is important to give the message that going back to school is a good thing being responsible and taking the security measures advised by the health authorities. They are the, like recovering the routine, friends, learning and development opportunities should weigh more in the balance than fear.

Studies such as the Kids Corona carried out at the Sant Joan de Déu Hospital in Barcelona provide reassuring data. At the beginning of the pandemic, children were confined in order to protect them, since we did not know how the virus was going to behave in such a vulnerable population.

The research team of the Kids Corona platform has systematically analyzed samples of more than 2,000 participants in summer activities in the Barcelona area for five weeks. The result has been that infected children are less infectious than adults.

The study shows thatthe distribution of children into "bubble" groups is effective to contain the transmission of infection, to facilitate traceability of contacts and to allow selective quarantine. What's more,handwashing in a protocolized way five or more times a dayhas been associated with a decrease in the transmission of the disease.

Tips for returning to school safely

Schools have become very aware and families must also reinforce prevention and security measures to minimize risks:

• Hand washing with hydroalcoholic gel or soap and water before and after eating, after using the bathroom, and when you get home.
• Take off shoes at the entrance of the house.
• I'll change my school clothes as soon as I get home and wash it every day.
• Sanitize bathrooms and kitchens with detergents that contain a percentage of bleach.
• Use napkins, tablecloths and handkerchiefs disposable in schools.
• Wash the lunch boxes and cutlery in the dishwasher at 60º
• Avoid touching eyes and nose
• Use of face mask Beginning at 6 years.
• Maintain interpersonal distancing from 1.5 m except with the family nucleus.
• Do not take the children to school if they are sick, have a fever, cough, or diarrhea.
• In the classroom, take the temperature of children who have coughs, snot or have poor general condition. If they are over 37 degrees, they will need to isolate it until it is picked up by its parents.

Fear of contagion

The great challenge facing both parents and teachers is. It is recommended express and share freely what we feel, since fear is a valid and normal feeling.

The best way to combat it is to talk about what causes it in us and give information that reassures the child. In this sense, convey to them the importance of respect safety regulations and protocols to protect our health in.

• It is convenient to convey to the little ones the importance of respecting safety regulations and protocols to protect our health.
• It is essential to carry out some routines such as hand washing with hydroalcoholic gel or soap and water before and after eating, after going to the bathroom and when you get home.
• Likewise, take off your shoes at the entrance of the house, as well as change your school clothes as soon as you get home and wash them every day.

Pediatric Specialist