Keeping Children Safe This Summer Amid Covid-19

Let’s be honest, a lot has changed in the past few months. Businesses closed. Schools shut down. Friends stopped visiting. Our lives have been disrupted by new challenges that are hard for adults and children. 

At Carolina Pharmacy, we know that children are resilient, but this “new normal” has thrown them for a loop. How can you keep your child safe this summer while still allowing him/her to be a kid? 

Children and Covid-19

With viruses such as the common cold and the flu, children are as susceptible to getting sick as adults. So, how does Covid-19 compare?

Can My Child Get Covid-19?

While any child has the potential to contract Covid-19, most children do not appear to be at a higher risk than adults. Although the reasons are unknown, coronavirus cases in children have not been severe forms of the illness. As of April 2, 2020, less than 2% of the coronavirus cases in the United States were in patients under 18. Similar numbers have been reported in countries such as China and Italy.

Common symptoms of Covid-19 among children include:

• Fever
• Runny nose
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Tips to Keep Children Healthy

The recommendations to keep children safe and healthy amid this pandemic are similar to the tips for adults.

• Wear facial coverings in public settings or when you are around people who are not part of your family. Carolina Pharmacy sells face masks by the way.
• Maintain social distancing practices.
• Model good health practices including washing your hands and not touching your face.
• Watch for signs or symptoms of Covid-19.

Mask or No Mask?

Since the Covid-19 outbreak, the recommendations have changed a few times making it difficult to know what to follow. Masks have become a hot button topic for many. Should you wear one? Should your kids wear one? What type do you need?

Types of Masks

There are many different types of facial coverings or masks. Masks range from homemade cloth coverings to disposable ear loop masks to N95 or KN95 respirators. While N95 masks are generally reserved for medical personnel, any covering provides more protection than no mask at all.

Advantages of Wearing Masks

When an individual with Covid-19 sneezes or coughs, tiny droplets are released into the air. A face mask blocks the droplets from being released into the air. This helps slow the spread of the disease.

Although a face mask does not completely block the coronavirus, it is an extra layer of protection and security, especially when combined with good handwashing and social distancing.

Should Children Wear Masks?

The CDC recommends that everyone who can should wear a mask when in places where it is difficult to remain 6 feet apart from others. This includes children, especially those who are immunocompromised or high risk. 

However, children under 2 should NOT wear masks. Children who have severe cognitive or respiratory disorders may have a hard time wearing facial coverings. In these cases, additional precautions may be necessary.

When children are playing outside, masks may be avoided if children can maintain social distances and avoid touching surfaces.

Get Your Pharmacy and Medical Needs at Carolina Pharmacy

At Carolina Pharmacy, we strive to keep our patients safe and healthy. We are still dispensing medications which can be picked up through curbside or drive through services. You may also easily refill or transfer your prescriptions online or from our convenient app!

Carolina Pharmacy takes your health seriously. We also sell face masks at each of our locations. Let us help keep you and your family healthy. Contact us for help managing your prescriptions.