Doctor gives back-to-school health advice in the event of a pandemic

Dr John Good

Preparing for back to school amid the COVID-19 pandemic involves taking precautions.
Parents and guardians, for example, should ensure that their children receive a comprehensive check-up from their family health care provider before class begins. A health check should include compulsory school vaccinations that protect against “traditional” diseases such as measles, mumps and rubella, not to mention polio, diphtheria, tetanus and, of course, the seasonal flu. .
This may be the first time your child has returned to campus after the start of school closures related to COVID-19 in the spring of 2020. Did you know, according to the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that the social, emotional and mental well-being of many young people has been impacted by the pandemic?
These impacts can include the management of drastic changes in routine, disruptions in the continuity of health care and learning, loss of safety and security, as well as missed important life events.
These can be particularly traumatic for children. And let me note that trauma – especially in the developmental stages during elementary school – could impact them throughout their lifetimes.
The nervousness over COVID is real and should not be underestimated. I want to stress how important it is to support your children if they are having anxiety about going back to school and being ready to answer their questions.
Excessive worry or sadness, unhealthy eating or sleeping habits, and problems with attention or concentration are all signs of stress in children and are important to watch out for.
What should families do if children are having difficulty? It is essential to reassure them of their safety and to take care of them, as well as to provide them with honest and accurate information.
Some of the ways to help children cope are maintaining a normal routine and talking, listening to them and encouraging them to express their feelings.
Teach practical tips for staying healthy, such as good hand hygiene and disinfection techniques. It can also be extremely important to talk about how to take precautions while at school, such as not sharing toys or materials, keeping their distance from other students, and of course, wearing a mask.
When it comes to masks, parents should note that the CDC recently recommended universal indoor masking for teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools regardless of the age. vaccination status.
Speaking of vaccines, this is a major question that families need to fully consider: deciding if and when a child can be ready for the COVID-19 vaccine. Certainly, the emerging Delta variant and the increasing rate of new infections are a source of greater concern when it comes to protecting the immunity of our loved ones.
It is important to note that the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which advises the CDC, recommends COVID-19 vaccination for anyone 12 years of age or older under federal emergency use authorizations.
Among other tips, parents should make sure not to send children to school with symptoms such as a high temperature, sore throat, cough, and headache or body aches. Families should familiarize themselves with local COVID-19 testing sites in case someone in the household needs to be tested.
I strongly recommend that families have an emergency plan. Think of it as a health security strategy that should include emergency contacts and school emergency protocols – and what can be involved if there is an outbreak at school and your child needs to. be quarantined for a period of two weeks.
Going back to class this coming school year will be totally different from before. We are living in the time of COVID-19, and we and our children need to learn to be safe.
(Dr. John Good is a pediatrician and medical director of the Optum Rio Rancho Clinic.)