A Parent’s Guide on What to Do During the Coronavirus.

 As news about COVID-19 spreads throughout the world, our thoughts are with our customers and those affected by this pandemic. We are aware of the uncertainty that many of us are experiencing, so today we are sharing a guide to help our customers learn more about what this virus entails, which also includes some fun activities to do at home with the whole family! 

 

General Information

COVID-19 is a new type of coronavirus never previously identified by scientists. What makes COVID-19 unique is that it is a coronavirus that originated in animals and then spread to humans, which is rare because animal viruses rarely ever infect humans.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include... 

• Fever  
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure, based on what has been seen previously as the incubation period of MERS-CoV viruses.

Contrary to popular beliefs, children are not more likely to get the virus compared to adults. Although some children have been sick with the virus, adults make up most of the infected, which is a good thing because children are less likely to wash their hands and cover their mouths — behaviors that can spread germs.

The virus spreads mainly from person to person (within 6ft of the person) through respiratory droplets produced when the infected person coughs or sneezes.

 

Here are some ways to minimize the spread of the virus. 

1) Wash hands often using soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Wash your hands for as long as it takes you to sing happy birthday twice.
• Clean under fingernails

2) Avoid people who are sick (coughing and sneezing)

• Use a tissue or your upper elbow to cover coughs and sneezes. 

3) Wash your clothes and other fabric items if possible in the warmest water and make sure to dry completely before wearing/using again

4) Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily in shared household areas 

• Light switches
• Door handles
• Stair handrails
• Faucets
• Toilet handle
• Toilet seats
• Cabinet handles
• Telephones
• Remote controls
• Steering wheel in the car
• Car door handles (inside and out)
• Anywhere else you touch frequently

 5) Avoid having contact with your face, more specifically your mouth and eyes

 

Cleaning the Home

 Some wipes do little to nothing when it comes to COVID-19. So protect yourselves well with this list of EPA approved cleaning products that fight against coronavirus. The good news is that coronaviruses are some of the simplest types of viruses to kill with the appropriate product, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. 

 

Alternatives

 Although with a shortage in commercial wipes, disinfectants, and many other alike products, what is a person to do when they need to disinfect their homes?  Scientists have found that some everyday household items can fight against COVID-19. 

 

*Source- https://www.consumerreports.org* 

 

1) Soap and Water

• Soap and water, the most straightforward option on this list, seems like it would not be enough to disinfect a surface, but the friction from scrubbing with soap and water can break the coronavirus's protective envelope. 

2) Bleach

• The CDC recommends that you diluted bleach solution (⅓ cup bleach per 1 gallon of water or 4 teaspoons bleach per 1 quart of water) for virus disinfection. 
• Use gloves while cleaning.

3) Isopropyl Alcohol

• Alcohol solutions with at least a 70% alcohol content are effective against coronavirus on hard surfaces.
• First, clean the surface with water and detergent, then apply the alcohol to the hardcover for 30 seconds to disinfect.

4) Hydrogen Peroxide

• According to the CDC, hydrogen peroxide is effective in getting rid of the cold virus on surfaces within 6 to 8 minutes. 
• The cold is more difficult to destroy than coronaviruses, so hydrogen peroxide should be able to break it down in less time.

 

Social Distancing/ Self Quarantine 

While it may be disappointing that many sports events, cruises, festivals, and other gatherings have been canceled, this is needed to ensure the safety of the public. COVID-19 is highly infectious and also asymptomatic (not showing symptoms but already infected), due to this, social distancing/self-quarantine is a necessary evil not only to our health but for the health of others.

 

What is social distancing?

Social distancing is deliberately increasing the physical space between people to avoid spreading illness. Staying at least six feet away from other people lessens your chances of catching COVID-19.

 

What is self-quarantine? 

People who have been exposed to the virus or are at risk should practice self-quarantine. Self-quarantining for 14 days provides enough time to know whether or not they will become ill and be contagious to other people.

Self- quarantine involves:

• Using standard hygiene and washing hands frequently
• Not sharing things like towels and utensils
• Staying at home
• Not having visitors
• Maintaining at least 6 feet away from other people in your household

 

Many states now have mandated self-quarantine/social distancing to be practiced by everyone, and this is no joke. The people out in the world that minimize this virus have the luxury to do so. For the immunocompromised and the elderly, unfortunately, can't take that risk. COVID-19, if caught by this group, showed much more aggressive symptoms and took a longer time recovering.

So please, for the health of those people around you who can't fight the virus, stay home, and practice social distancing. 

 

Fun things to do when quarantined

Let's face it, you love your kids but they are probably getting on your last nerve talking about how bored they are with all the free time they have at the house now. Putting them in front of a tv or computer only lasts for so long and seems like a waste. When is there going to be another time you get to spend quality time with family like this. Here are some fun activities that can make any day in,  into a fun day.

1. Movie Marathon- Sure, it's not that much better than putting your kids in front of a computer, but at least the whole family can do it together.
2. Youtube Karaoke- no need to buy an expensive karaoke machine just look up the instrumental track off of youtube and sing you hearts out
3. Pillow Forts- Create a magical home from just bed sheets and pillows. 
4. Baking- Fun for the whole family, and also, you get a tasty treat afterward. 
5. Dress up/ play pretend- Tap into your silly side and just let your imagination run wild with your child. Dress up like a princess or a pirate and make up the story as you go.
6. DANCE PARTY!- Put on some sick jams and just let your freak out. Also good exercise for the whole family
7. Play Games- Board games, trivia games, all sorts of games! They are so much fun to play until someone flips over the board.
8. Coloring/ Painting- Print out some cool designs and see what artistic direction they go into. 
9. DIY or die!- Make things with whatever you have left in your house and see what you come up with or do some of these DIY ideas.

 

Ending Note 

Even though it seems like things are bad now, it is going to get better. We can already see it happening in Wuhan China as the last temporary medical hospital had the final batch of 49 patients walked out. The smiles on the faces of the medical workers were one of relief and happiness. There is hope and the happy ending is closer than we think. Please stay safe and healthy during these hard times.

*To learn more, visit www.cdc.gov/COVID-19. All the information written in this guide will be from this source unless cited otherwise. *