COVID-19 and back-to-school safety
Back-to-school season is always a hectic time of year. But for parents, children, teachers and other school employees, the start of the 2020 school year has become more stressful due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. At SIU Medicine, our clinicians are dedicated to ensuring local families are prepared for the new academic season in these unique times. It's our mission to help families in our community feel like they have some control over their health and safety.
With this in mind, here are some things our clinicians recommend when it comes to heading back to school during COVID-19.
Encourage immune-boosting habits for the whole family
The stronger your immune system, the less likely it is you'll get sick from any illness – whether it be a common cold or something more serious. The same goes for your children, too. Lead by example and encourage your whole family to practice immune-supporting habits throughout the back-to-school season.
- Get enough sleep
- Eating nutritious foods like fruits and veggies
- Exercising and playing every day
- Managing stress
- Washing hands often
Talk to your child about COVID-19 safety in the classroom
Getting a good night’s sleep to start your child’s day is important. Keeping morning routines to prepare for school also matters. But what about helping your child stay safe once he or she is on school grounds?
Be sure to talk to your child about what they can do to stay safer in school. It's also good to prepare them for any changes they should expect in their classroom, since many things may be different in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Here are a few things to anticipate:
- Different classroom set-ups with desk spacing
- No sharing of materials
- Increased cleaning and hygiene efforts
- Changes in schedules or routines to avoid cramped hallways, etc.
- Requests to wear a mask during certain times of the day
When in doubt, defer to your school, local and state officials—and don't be afraid to ask questions or voice concerns.
Is your child ready to succeed in the upcoming school year?
Whether your child needs an immunization update or individualized treatment for an underlying health condition, our team at SIU Medicine is here to help. We're accepting current and new patients of all ages and practicing excellent hygiene and safety techniques to keep our patients safe. Call 217-545-8000 now.
