When it comes to children, it gets difficult to contain their behaviour, as compared to adults. Children can be reckless when it comes to continuous sanitation and following COVID-19 preventive measures.
According to a report in the US, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases among children in the US increased by 13 per cent this month, according to a new report.
Released on Tuesday, the report by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Children's Hospital Association said that between October 1-15, at least 84,319 children were infected with the virus across the country, reports CNN.
According to the report, the overall rate of infection is 986 cases per 100,000 children in the population. Between 0.5-7.2 per cent of all child coronavirus cases resulted in hospitalisation, but only 0.24 per cent of the total deaths were reported.
The government has permitted schools to reopen after October 15. However, the decision has been left to the respective state's discretion whether students will be resuming schools. Moreover, the decision of whether to attend a school or not has been left to the parents.
The Bridge Chronicle spoke to Dr Jagdish Kathwate, Consultant, Paediatrics & Neonatology, Motherhood Hospital, Kharadi, Pune.
Speaking about the topic of children returning to school, he explained how people of all age groups can get infected by COVID-19. However, children are often asymptomatic carriers of the virus and may pass it from one person to another.
"Despite this, children are also often not seriously affected as compared to adults since their bodies are used to fighting different viruses regularly," he said.
"But the risk of children contracting COVID from the school is higher as they indulge in while shaking hands, exchanging books, or coming in contact with someone at school who has the symptoms of COVID-19," he added.
Currently in India, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Sikkim have reopened schools, and there is no notification from other states on that decision. While many students are suffering because of inaccessibility to smartphones and internet connections, states are worried about the chances of the younger population getting infected.
But as schools may reopen soon, it is important to remember the various touchpoints where students could interact with each other, thereby increasing the risk of getting infected. It is also important to remind the children to follow strict sanitation procedures when in school to ensure safety.
Whether a child attends school or not, it is also important to develop protocols with them to make them understand the importance of being extremely safe when outdoors and to explain the risks of not doing so.
Here is what you need to remember when going back to school:
DIY Sanitation kit: In times like these, ensuring that you are well protected when stepping out, is of utmost importance. A sanitation kit is the latest essential that we must carry at all time. Here's how you can make your sanitation kit.
DIY sanitation Kit:
Tissues
Paper soaps
Sanitiser spray
Spare mask
Food: Lunchtime in school is much more than just eating. It is more about running and getting a play break from study periods. Hence it becomes important to be extremely cautious and ensure children wash their hands thoroughly before eating. Sanitising the desk is also essential. Sharing should be discouraged in such times to avoid the risk of infection.
Sanitiser Spray: Desk needs equal sanitation as you spend most of the time there. A good way to keep your desk sanitised is by using a sanitising spray. Spray your desk and books with a sanitiser at regular intervals through the day.
Double up on hygiene: At home, our hygiene practices may have been a little relaxed as the contact with the outside world was minimal. But stepping out, it is essential to pay utmost attention to our hygiene practice. Make sure to wash hands multiple times while in school and keep a sanitiser handy at all times.
Mask is a must: In the new normal, masks are as important as oxygen. Wearing a mask at all times not only protects us from the virus but also ensures we accidentally don't touch our face. It is also important to remember to keep separate masks for commute, and inside the school.
Commute: Try to use the personal vehicle as far as possible to drop children to school and back.
(With inputs from IANS)
