Essential Knowledge for Parents: Preparing Children Against the Coronavirus Before School

Despite the intricate nature of the coronavirus pandemic, parents need not panic excessively. Equip children with the following knowledge to prevent the spread of the disease effectively.

1. Essential Knowledge for Parents: Preparing Children Against the Coronavirus Before School

Despite the intricate nature of the coronavirus pandemic, parents need not panic excessively. Equip children with the following knowledge to prevent the spread of the disease effectively.

Wearing masks is imperative when children attend school during outbreaks.

After the period of avoiding outbreaks, children returning to school undoubtedly cause concern for many parents. However, by providing children with the complete knowledge to prevent coronavirus as detailed below, parents can rest assured when their children return to school.

1. Wearing Masks When Going to School

Although masks are not an absolute preventive measure against the coronavirus, they are still recommended by the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health. Masks can prevent droplets containing the coronavirus (if any) and limit the transmission of respiratory diseases in general.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Tran Dac Phu (former Director of the Preventive Medicine Department), the epidemic has not spread strongly in the community yet, but people should wear masks in high-risk areas such as public transportation and hospitals.

However, it is not necessary to wear masks when indoors or in classrooms as it can cause difficulty in breathing. It is important to cover the mouth with the inner elbow when coughing or sneezing to prevent virus transmission to others.

Nevertheless, parents should still provide their children with several medical masks to keep in their school bags for changing during the day when commuting from home to school and vice versa.

Furthermore, instruct children on how to properly wear masks and replace them regularly to protect themselves and the community during the outbreak.

Below are the recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) on the proper use of medical masks to prevent coronavirus:

- Medical masks should be used only once and then disposed of in a secure trash bin with a lid.

- When wearing a medical mask, the blue side should face outwards as it is water-resistant, preventing large droplets from penetrating. The white side, which is absorbent, should face inward to allow exhaled breath to pass through and be absorbed by the mask.

Wearing a medical mask correctly is essential to prevent the spread of the coronavirus

- When wearing a medical mask, ensure that it covers both the nose and mouth securely.

- Avoid touching the medical mask with hands as it may transfer viruses and bacteria onto the hands.

- When removing the face mask, only handle the ear loops, discard it safely in a trash bin, avoid touching the mask itself to prevent hand contamination from harmful agents.

- Wash your hands immediately after removing the face mask.

2. Establish a habit of thoroughly washing hands

Cleaning hands with soap, hand sanitizer is something most kids have been taught since starting preschool. However, during the coronavirus outbreak, parents should frequently remind kids to wash hands thoroughly after using the restroom, touching public surfaces like tables, chairs, handrails, restroom doorknobs...

According to Associate Professor Nguyen Huy Nga, Former Director of the Environmental Management Department, Former Director of the Department of Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Health, both hand sanitizer and soap have the same effect in disinfecting, killing bacteria, fungi, and preventing diseases caused by the coronavirus.

Therefore, there's no need to spend money on expensive hand sanitizers, antibacterial hand solutions, instead, one can use regular soap bars, diluted alcohol solutions, or diluted tea tree essential oil for hand washing.

Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) also advises that proper handwashing is necessary for effective bacteria and germ elimination. Hands should be washed with soap frequently, multiple times a day. For regular antibacterial soap, children should be reminded to scrub for at least 20 seconds, then rinse thoroughly under water.

In cases where there is no soap or handwashing facilities available at the child's school, parents should provide small, convenient bottles of hand sanitizer for the child to take to school. It's particularly important to avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth as much as possible.

Proper handwashing with soap or hand sanitizer is necessary to prevent outbreaks caused by the coronavirus

3. Boosting Immunity for Children

In addition to preventive measures such as wearing masks and washing hands with soap, strengthening immunity is the best way to eliminate unfamiliar viruses as soon as they enter the body.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Hau, a specialist in nutrition at Children's Hospital 2 in Ho Chi Minh City, advises: 'Firstly, it's essential to have a balanced diet. Many people believe that during this pandemic, they shouldn't eat meat. That's incorrect. Instead, choose easily digestible proteins, wash hands thoroughly, clean cooking utensils meticulously, and ensure food is thoroughly cooked.'

Additionally, it's important to include vegetables, fruits, and various seeds. Ensuring adequate hydration is crucial. Besides nutrition, it's essential for children to get enough sleep and be guided on necessary measures to understand and implement'.

Boosting immunity helps children stay safer during the pandemic

Furthermore, parents should diversify their child's diet and pay attention to the freshness of food. For children, it's necessary to supplement milk, according to Ms. Ngô Huyền Trang, Pharmacist, Director of Product at VitaDairy Milk Company.

Another crucial point parents should remember is to strictly avoid giving children raw foods, foods that have been left out for long periods, and wild animal meat.

4. Establishing a Scientific Lifestyle

In addition to nutrition, children need to have a balanced and scientific lifestyle, including adequate sleep, and proper rest...

Several studies have shown that getting enough sleep leads to the production of melatonin, which inhibits estrogen levels, reducing the risk of illness. Additionally, deep sleep brings a sense of comfort, alertness, and joy to start a new day full of vitality.

Another study at the Australian Institute of Family Studies also proves that children who go to bed before 8:30 PM are healthier.

Therefore, not only during the complex nCoV pandemic but at any time, parents should remind, advise, and establish appropriate eating, sleeping, and resting routines for children to boost their body's immunity.

Adequate sleep enhances children's immunity

5. Engage in Regular Physical Exercise

Regular physical exercise is one of the ways to enhance the body's immune system and prevent coronavirus infection.

Studies from the United States also show that people who exercise 5-6 days a week are less likely to experience colds and sore throats compared to those who do not exercise. Regular physical activity helps the body produce more cells capable of fighting bacteria, while promoting sweating and accelerating metabolism.

For young children, parents can guide and encourage them to engage in suitable activities such as cycling, swimming, walking, playing soccer, and jumping rope.

6. Equip Your Child with Adequate and Accurate Knowledge about the Coronavirus Pandemic

More importantly, parents should explain to their children comprehensive knowledge about respiratory illnesses caused by the coronavirus to ensure they understand correctly, avoid panic, and adopt preventive measures.

- The 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a new type of respiratory virus that causes acute respiratory infections in humans and shows human-to-human transmission. This virus was identified in an outbreak investigation originating from a large seafood and animal market in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.

2019-nCoV is a new strain of virus not previously identified. In addition to this newly discovered coronavirus strain, there are 6 other known coronavirus strains to date that have the potential for human transmission.

- Origin of the 2019 Coronavirus: Health organizations and medical partners are striving to determine the origin of 2019-nCoV. The coronavirus is a betacoronavirus, similar to MERS and SARS, all originating from animal hosts such as bats.

The coronavirus is a large virus family, common in many different animal species including camels, cats, and bats. Genetic analysis of this virus is ongoing to determine its specific origin. SARS, another type of coronavirus that infects humans, originates from civet cats, while MERS, another coronavirus that infects humans, originates from camels.

Illustration of the Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

- Transmission Mechanism: This virus initially emerges from animal sources but has the ability to spread from person to person through 3 mechanisms: Through respiratory droplets during conversation, coughing, sneezing...; through direct contact with infected individuals; through contaminated intermediate objects such as door handles, elevator buttons...

Parents should maintain a calm mindset, continuously update useful information and knowledge - promptly about the coronavirus pandemic situation to help their children proactively follow the recommendations and preventions more effectively.