BACK-T0-SCHOOL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Schools across India have canceled in-person schooling since March 2020 to contain the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Going back to school after a hiatus of 18 months has taken a new meaning and added a new set of worries for the parents. After being confined in the safety of the house for 18 long months, parents have a tough call to make of sending their children back to school.

As parents, the first question that crosses our minds is:

To send or not to send children to school this year?

The straight answer is yes.

Wherever schools are open, children should rejoin.

The closure of offline schools has impacted negatively on the social, mental, and emotional well-being of children. Children blossom in the company of other same-aged, like-minded beings. They miss their camaraderie and interactions. There are limitations to online learning, and children need their education, knowledge, and interaction.

What precautions can you take before sending your child to school after the COVID-19 pandemic?

As the adage goes, “Prevention is better than cure.”

Preparing children for schools that re-open after COVID-19:

Educate your child about the safety precautions to take while at school.

– Wearing a mask all the time

– Keeping hands clean

– Covering mouth and nose entirely while coughing or sneezing. (This is also known as the Dracula sneeze.)

Physically preparing the kids is not enough. As parents, we must understand their mental state too. They have been away for more than a year. Their habits and behavior have changed accordingly.

 It is also essential to convey that some school activities require them to take off their masks, such as during sports activities.

Children may undergo some anxiety before joining the school. 

Mentally preparing children to go to school is equally important.

You, as a parent, can alleviate these concerns by giving them affirmation and encouraging them to feel confident.

Do not push them or force them to attend.

Let them know that you share their concern for well-being.

Explain to the kids the importance of going back to school.

Parents who are resuming office after WFH can share relatable examples.

Here are a few protocols to follow when attending school in person:

• Wear a mask all the time. Wearing an N-95 mask is preferable. If the child is uncomfortable wearing an N-95 mask for long hours, wear a 3-ply surgical mask.
• Change masks regularly. Wearing the same mask for more than four days can increase the risk of other infections drastically.
• If the child is not comfortable with a 3-ply surgical mask due to the fibers – then use a double mask method. Wear a cloth mask inside and the 3-ply surgical mask outside.
• Wash hands often with soap and water or with an alcohol-based sanitizer.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects (like your desk).
• Greet friends and classmates with a wave, elbow bumps or hand on heart. Avoid hugs and handshakes.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cough or sneeze into flexed elbows or tissue and dispose of the tissue immediately.
• Do not disgrace or ridicule others who may have been exposed to Covid-19. Empathy is a virtue that we must teach our children.

As you prepare your children to go back to school, there are many questions about how best to keep our children safe.

Here are a few guidelines set by UNICEF that may help to put your worries to rest.

1. Extra precautions to take after returning from school

Schools will implement all the safety measures and protocols set by the healthcare system. Children should feel safe while at the school premises. Take extra precautions if there is a risk of severe Covid-19 infection to a family member or if all adult family members are not double vaccinated. The child must be told to keep the mask on at all times in school. Ask your child to have a bath immediately after coming from school.

2. If the child falls sick

Do not send your child to school if they are experiencing symptoms of Covid-19.

If you are not sure of the type of infection, as a responsible parent, do not send your child if they have any symptoms of a viral infection like influenza. Especially:

• Fever
• Running nose
• Cough
• Chest pain.
• Loose motions.

Keep your child at home under self-isolation until the doctor’s recommendation.

3. Is it safe for children with asthma, diabetes, or obesity to attend school?

Although the symptoms of Covid-19 are mild in children, those with co-morbidities may suffer from a severe Covid infection. Depending on the child’s current health status and doctor’s advice, you can take the decision of sending your child to school.

If a vaccine is available for your child, then it is the best way to protect them. A vaccine can significantly decrease the risk of severe COVID-19 infection, including hospitalization and complications. The situation varies from child to child and the severity of the pre-existing disease conditions. Discuss this with your family physician and paediatrician in-depth to make an informed decision.

COVID 19 infection in children can lead to MIS-C. Know about this disease and be aware of its symptoms.

4. Doing the covid antibody test is useful?

Doing a Covid-19 antibody test of the child can be helpful. If the test results come as positive, it means the child has had an asymptomatic covid infection in the past and has developed antibodies against the virus. If the test results come as negative, it means there are no antibodies present, and hence, stringent precautions must be taken while interacting in school. 

Getting an antibody test of your child before sending them to school will help to set the level of safety protocols.

There has been a significant impact of school closure on the well-being of the children. Children must socialize with their peers, work in groups and play in teams to learn and evolve emotionally.

The Covid-19 protocols change continuously. The criteria mentioned above are as of October 2021. Stay tuned to this space for any new updates on the current situation.