b'The COVID-19 virus is not going away. While malls, restaurants, parks, Another way to reduce the risk of droplet transmission is to wear aandbeachesareopeningup,peoplearestillatrisk.Althoughwe facialcoveringormaskwhenoutdoors.Reusablemasksareancannot eliminate the risk of being exposed to COVID-19, there are excellentoption,buttheyshouldbewasheddailywithsoapandsome practical steps you can take to minimize your risk while providing water. When deciding whether or not to have a child wear a facialchildcare in the home. covering, remember that it is not recommended that children two yearsand under wear masks. For more guidelines, visit the AAP website at:First off, planning is key. Talk with your employer about developing a https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-basic COVID-19 preparedness plan in case they or you should develop issues/conditions/chest-lungs/Pages/Cloth-Face-Coverings-for-COVID-19 symptoms. Some items that you will want to discuss are next Children-During-COVID-19.aspxsteps if you or a child becomes ill, your employers preferences forhandwashing(e.g.,IshandsanitizerOKtouse?),facialcoverings, Another option you may want to consider with your employer is how tosocial distancing in public spaces, and what types of activities they are avoid in-person medical visits when at all possible. Telemedicine is ancomfortable with their child enjoying.excellent option for minor health concerns. Many insurance plans areoffering increased coverage of telehealth due to COVID-19. CentersforDiseaseControl(CDC)andAmericanAcademyofPediatrics (AAP) recommendations for minimizing the risk of COVID-19 Alwayscleananddisinfectsurfacesifyouthinktheycouldbeinclude: contaminated with the COVID-19 virus. Always keep cleaning products Handwashing out of reach of children. Use disposable towels, if you can, to clean Social distancing contaminated surfaces. Using facial coverings or masks Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces One last word of wisdom: get some fresh air. Get outside as much as Ensuring proper ventilation possible. When indoors, open the windows. Ventilation decreases therisk of viral droplets being spread, and getting outdoors can be a greatWhat does every nurse learn in nursing school? Handwashing is the boost to your mental health. mosteffectivewaytostopthespreadofdisease.Handwashing,however,hastobethoroughinordertobeeffective.Adequate Stressfultimescallforself-care.Asalways,takinggoodcareofhandwashing includes soap and water and scrubbing for at least 20 yourself is important for your overall health. While COVID-19 science isseconds (which is equivalent to singing the happy birthday song twice). stilldeveloping,thescienceofexercise,ahealthydiet,adequatesleep, and stress reduction is reliable and clear. When you lower yourIf soap and water are not available, hand sanitizer gel with at least stress hormones, your immune system gets a boost. What better way60% alcohol content can be used. After applying hand sanitizer, hands than self-care to help defend your body against the virus? should be rubbed until dry. Always use great care and caution whenadministering hand sanitizer to children. Make sure they do not stick If anything, COVID-19 has taught us a couple life lessons. The first is totheir hands in their mouth if their hands are wet with sanitizer, and as get information from reliable sources. Trusted sources include thealways,makesureyouhavetheirparentspermissionbefore CDC, AAP, or your state and local departments of public health. Theadministering it.pandemic has also reminded us that handwashing is still one of thebest measures of disease prevention, and if you are like me, it hasThe next question is, When should you wash your hands? Handwashing reinforced the important role of self-care in stress reduction andshould happen anytime you come in contact with a surface or bodily achieving optimal health. Maybe its given us all an opportunity tofluid that could be contaminated. For example, handwashing should reprioritize our health and the health of others too.occur: After any contact with bodily fluids (such as from toileting, coughing, As always, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Take goodor sneezing) care and stay well.Before and after any activity with shared toys or equipment Before handling food or administering medications This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical Before and after changing gloves, a face mask, or cleaning possible advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is for information and educationalcontaminated surfaces. (You may want to invest in a good hand lotion purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or otherwhile you are at it!) qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding amedical condition.SocialdistancingiskeyinminimizingCOVID-19risk.Whilehealthadvisories have swung back and forth, what is clear is that COVID-19 is ReferencesAmerican Academy of Pediatrics. Cloth Face Coverings for Children During COVID-19.spreadbyrespiratorydroplets.Whenyouareindirect,prolonged Retrieved June 16, 2020 from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-contactwithsomeonewhohasthevirus,yourchancesofinhaling issues/conditions/chest-lungs/Pages/Cloth-Face-Coverings-for-Children-During-those droplets increases. The idea behind social distancing is that it COVID-19.aspxwillkeepyoufarenoughaway(sixfeet)fromotherssothattheir Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Coronavirus (COVID 19). Retrieved on June16, 2020 from COVID https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.htmldroplets do not travel far enough for you to inhale them. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Guidance for Child Care Programs thatRemain Open. Retrieved June 17, 2020 from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/guidance-for-childcare.htmlNannyMag.com31'