Back to School & COVID19

Back to School & COVID19

You can’t always control those around you, but you can certainly control your own actions. That’s why it’s important to teach your children necessary steps to help prevent the spread and contraction of the novel coronavirus.

WHAT IS COVID-19
For those who may not know exactly what the coronavirus entails, it is a new strain of virus that came into the world in late 2019 that is linked to the same family of viruses as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and a few different types of common cold.

 

For a formal breakdown, the acronym stands for the following: (CO) Corona, (VI) Virus, (D) Disease, (19) referring to the year humans began contracting it. When compiled, COVID 19 aka CoronaVirus is what we get.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19? 
Although not everyone finds this virus to be threatening, it’s still never enjoyable to catch a cold or become ill. Stay on the lookout for the following symptoms to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to others.

✓ Fever

✓ Shortness of Breath

✓ Dry Cough

✓ Loss of ability to taste

 

There are, of course, other potential symptoms because every person is different and thus the virus will affect everyone differently. This is why a test is needed before one is able to confirm whether or not they have the virus.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOLERS

As summer ends and schools attempt to open their doors for a normal start to the 2020 school year, it’s important to understand how this virus may affect you and how it is spread.

COVID-19 is transmitted through direct contact with respiratory droplets from a person that is infected and is usually spread through coughing or sneezing. Another common way that COVID-19 spreads is by touching a common surface that is contaminated with the virus and then touching your face (nose, mouth, eyes, etc.) This is why it’s important to disinfect your hands and various surfaces between each person/point-of-contact.

 

Remember- the CoronaVirus can last on surfaces for several hours, but disinfectants can kill it quickly!

SLOW THE SPREAD!
With hundreds and potentially thousands of school-aged kids congregating in enclosed spaces, it’s important to be aware of ways to reduce the spread of this potentially deadly disease. Public health measures are important to follow in order to reduce the spread of not only this virus, but other respiratory infections like the flu or the common cold.

PREVENTATIVE ACTIONS INCLUDE:
✓ Teach your children to cover their mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of used tissue immediately!
✓ Washing hands often with soap and water is important!
✓ Purchase a small container or hand sanitizer for your child to carry on themselves (or in their backpack) and teach them to use it often (such as after touching a door handle or borrowing a pen from someone else)
✓ Normally we encourage the notion that sharing is caring but sharing food and drink should cease until we learn more about this virus.
✓ Remind your children to be aware of their spatial surroundings and how close they get to one another.
✓ Teach your kids to play with each other at a distance
✓ Staying home when sick or are beginning to feel any of the above symptoms listed earlier in this article
✓ Clean frequently-touched-surfaces and objects.

 

 As we learn more about COVID-19, it’s effects and how it is spread, public health officials may recommend additional or alternative actions. We suggest consulting the World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control websites and social pages to stay up-to-date on current mandates and information.

New York Sports Acupuncture

Dr. Bishara Wilson, DACM, L.Ac.

www.nysportsacu.com

888.375.5444

https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/key-messages-and-actions-for-covid-19-prevention-and-control-in-schools-march-2020.pdf?sfvrsn=baf81d52_4&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIo6zg_dH16gIVYj2tBh0OwwuSEAAYAiAAEgISOfD_BwE

4 Ways To Support Your Children, Back-To-School & COVID

4 Ways To Support Your Children, Back-To-School & COVID


2020 has proven to be a year of trials and growth for all of us. With a new school year just around the corner, it’s important to have an open dialogue with our children about what to expect, how to stay safe and how they can express themselves even with certain restrictions.

GET THEM A MASK THEY CAN BE EXCITED ABOUT


Children don’t have the full scope-of-understanding about this virus like us adults do. They may be confused, find it frustrating that they have to cover half of their face (which is a means of self-expression) and not be able to function in a way that they’re used to.

Getting your child a mask that they enjoy may encourage their desire to wear it, thus keeping them and others around them more safe. Affordable and unique masks can be found on sites such as Etsy and can range anywhere from $5-15.

Private sellers make masks with anything from floral print, to superheroes and video game characters such as Spider Man or Fortnite.

RECESS GAMES AT A DISTANCE

Depending on your governing state and the rules that they apply when it comes to COVID-19, you may find your child becoming antsy not being able to play with their friends at recess like they used to. Here are some fun socially-distanced activities that you can incorporate so that kids can still enjoy their play time.

Fitness Relay: Set up into teams of 3 (ensuring everyone is at least 6 feet from one another). Set up cones in front of each team in a straight line to distinguish the start and finish areas. The leader will call out an exercise (jumping jacks, pushups, toe-touches, etc.) and when the leader yells “go!” The first players of each team will run to the cone and perform that exercise. Then, they run back to the starting cone and the next person goes. The first team to have all players finished, wins!

Mirror, Mirror: Players pick a partner and face each other keeping at least 6 feet of distance. One child is deemed the leader, and the others must mirror their movements. Talking and/or giving hints isn’t allowed! So pay close attention. The leader tries to come up with as many movements as possible while the others follow along. Switch leaders after 2 minutes.


MOBILE APPS AND GAMES

There are some mobile apps that can be downloaded on cell phones to help kids stay connected while social distancing. Of course, we encourage family discussions before a game is downloaded to ensure that it lines up with online safety as well as family values.

That being said, a few apps that we have found to be fun include Online Uno (a classic card game), Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp and even Pokemon Go!


ACUPRESSURE!

Even with the above suggestions, kids are likely to get stressed and hold tension in their bodies when trying to navigate this new world. If your child shows signs of headaches or stress, show them the below acupressure points so relieve some of their symptoms.


Pericardium 6 – This point is located bilaterally on the underside of the forearm, roughly three finger widths below the wrist crease, between the two tendons. PC6 is a great point to alleviate nausea from pregnancy-related issues, motion sickness, drug reactions, stomach issues, etc.. It’s also an excellent point to calm the mind and spirit.


All things considered, this new school year will be challenging and will break conventional norms. That also means it’s a great opportunity to have conversation with your children and teach them how to still have fun, socialize and spend time with their friends all while prioritizing their health and safety.


For more information like you found in this article, follow us on social media to stay up-to-date and in-the-know about how we’re handling current world issues.


New York Sports Acupuncture

Dr. Bishara Wilson, DACM, L.Ac.

www.nysportsacu.com

888.375.5444