Staying healthy and safe amid the Coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic is of the utmost importance. Parents, family members, school staff, and other trusted adults play an important role in helping children make sense of what they hear in a way that is honest, accurate, and minimizes anxiety or fear. The Center for Disease Control published the following guidance on assisting adults in conversations with children about Coronavirus COVID-19 and, precautions to avoid getting and spreading the disease:

Remain calm and reassuring.

• Remember that children will react to both what you say and how you say it. They will pick up cues from the conversations you have with them and with others.

Make yourself available to listen and to talk.

• Make time to talk. Be sure children know they can come to you when they have questions.

Avoid language that might blame others and lead to stigma.

• Viruses can make anyone sick, regardless of a person’s race or ethnicity. Avoid making assumptions about who might have COVID-19.

Pay attention to what children see or hear on television, radio, or online.

• Consider reducing the amount of time focused on COVID-19. Too much information on one topic can lead to anxiety.

Provide information that is honest and accurate.

• Give children information that is truthful and appropriate for the age and developmental level of the child.

• Talk to children about how some stories on COVID-19 on the Internet and social media may be based on hearsay and not scholarly information.

Teach children everyday actions to reduce the spread of germs.

• Stay away from people who are coughing, sneezing or sick.

• Cough or sneeze into a tissue or their elbow, then throw the tissue into the trash.

• Discuss any new actions that may be taken at school to help protect children and school staff.
  (e.g., increased handwashing, cancellation of events or activities)

• Get into a handwashing habit:

  • Teach hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing their nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.

  • If soap and water are not available, apply hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer should contain at least 60% alcohol. Supervise children when they use hand sanitizer to prevent swallowing alcohol.

Facts about COVID-19 for discussions with children

Try to keep information simple and remind them that health and school officials are working hard to keep everyone safe and healthy.

What is COVID-19?

• COVID-19 is the short name for “coronavirus disease 2019.” It is a new virus. Doctors and scientists are still learning about it.

• Recently, this virus has made a lot of people sick. Scientists and doctors think that most people will be ok, especially kids, but some people might get super sick.

• Doctors and health experts are working hard to help people stay healthy.

What can I do so that I don’t get COVID-19?

• You can practice healthy habits at home, school, and play to help protect against the spread of COVID-19:

  • Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow. If you sneeze or cough into a tissue, throw it in the trash right away.

  • Keep hands out of your mouth, nose, and eyes. This will help keep germs out of your body.

  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Follow these five steps—wet, lather (make bubbles), scrub (rub together), rinse and dry. You can sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice.

  • If you don’t have soap and water, have an adult help you use a special hand cleaner.

  • Keep things clean. Older children can help adults at home and school clean the things we touch the most, like desks, doorknobs, light switches, and remote controls. (Note for adults: find more information about cleaning and disinfecting on CDC’s website.)

  • If you feel sick, stay home. Just like you don’t want to get other people’s germs in your body, other people don’t want to get your germs either.

What happens if you get sick with COVID-19?

• COVID-19 can look different in different people. For many people, being sick with COVID-19 would be a little bit like having the flu. People can get a fever, cough, or have a hard time taking deep breaths. Most people who have gotten COVID-19 have not gotten very sick. Only a small group of people who get it have had more serious problems. From what doctors have seen so far, most children don’t seem to get very sick. While a lot of adults get sick, most adults get better.

• If you do get sick, it doesn’t mean you have COVID-19. People can get sick from all kinds of germs. What’s important to remember is that if you do get sick, the adults at home and school will help get you any help that you need.

• If you suspect your child may have COVID-19, call the healthcare facility to let them know before you bring your child in to see them.