4 tips from Georgia health department to help keep kids safer at school during COVID-19

As students start heading back to school, parents and guardians may be worried about their child’s health and wellbeing.

As parents, caregivers, and guardians weigh the risks and benefits of various educational formats, there are countless decisions to make concerning a child’s safety.

Several school districts in the Chattahoochee Valley are already back in classes with COVID-19 precautions, while Muscogee County schools remain online until at least Sept. 9. Some students and staff in Harris and Troup counties are now in quarantine following a handful of positive coronavirus cases.

The Center for Disease Control offers a school decision-making tool that helps families make decisions about sending their children back to school. If your child is headed back into a physical classroom, though, there are small steps you can take to minimize your child’s risk and help your child adjust to the changes to their learning environment.

Susie Hammock, Accreditation and Marketing Coordinator at the Georgia Department of Public Health, talked to the Ledger-Enquirer about what parents and guardians can do at home to prepare kids for a new school environment.

1. Practice wearing a mask at home

A hack to get kids comfortable with wearing a mask? Have them wear it during screen time.

A TV, tablet, or other device will distract a child enough that they won’t be too bothered by any discomfort that comes from wearing a mask. Screen time also provides a reward that will encourage kids to practice mask wearing.

“That way, they’re paying attention to the screen they’re not focused on wearing the mask and it helps kind of acclimate them to it,” Hammock said.

Make sure that their masks are comfortable and fit them well by buying an age-appropriate child-sized mask. Letting your child pick out a mask that they like will also make wearing one more appealing, Hammock says.

For an added layer of security, attach your child’s mask to a lanyard that can hang around their neck, Hammock says. When they need to take off their mask, they won’t lose it or contaminate it by putting it on a surface.

By the time they’re back in a classroom, they’ll be more acclimated to mask-wearing and can do so without discomfort.

2. Aim for a seamless lunchtime

Lunchtime poses an added risk as students need to remove their masks to eat their lunches. To minimize their contact with other people while their masks are down, Hammock recommends practicing at home to make sure your child won’t need help from staff during lunchtime.

Practice opening Tupperware, lunchbox zippers, drink bottles or any other container so that your child can open and eat their lunch independently. Hammock says to avoid packing anything overly complicated such as a CapriSun or milk carton with a straw attached.

3. COVID-friendly school supplies

If possible, opt for school supplies that are easier to disinfect. Plastic supplies will generally be easier to sanitize than cardboard or fabric supplies, Hammock says, and make sure to steer clear of any porous or “fluffy” school supplies or toys.

You may want to send your child to school with their own personal hand sanitizer. Students will likely be required to wash and sanitize their hands dozens of times during the school day, which may lead to drying or even peeling of the skin on their hands. Hammock says it’s not a bad idea to send your child to school with a personal bottle of hand lotion to rehydrate after frequent sanitization or hand washing.

Talk to teachers about any additional supplies or measures that can make for an easier transition to the classroom.

4. Have honest, age-appropriate conversations and establish routine

Above all, Hammock recommends talking to children about the virus and establishing routines. Hammock encourages parents and caregivers to be honest but age-appropriate in conversations about coronavirus. Educational formats may change as the virus develops, so it can be helpful to make sure children have realistic expectations.

“I told them you know, there’s a good chance that this is not gonna last very long and you’re gonna be going to be virtual,” Hammock said. “So, enjoy your friend while you’re there, enjoy your teachers while you’re there. It’s likely that you’ll be doing this from the computer at some point. I think that helps them feel prepared.”

Hearing children’s fears and answering their questions can make them feel more comfortable and safer as they begin their school year.

If you have an at-home sanitizing or cleaning regimen, Hammock says to try to create a smooth routine to help make the process feel normal for your children. Laying out clothes and packing backpacks the night before can also help things run smoother.

“I have a bowl beside the sink in the kitchen, and when they get home they put their mask in the bowl, and after dinner, I wash them by hand and then hang them up over the sink,” Hammock said. “So in the morning the mask is clean and that keeps us from losing masks.”

This story was originally published August 24, 2020 at 7:00 AM.