How to Keep Your Child Safe from The Delta VariantClick to enlarge the image. Caption: Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times Via Getty ImagIt is inevitable that germs will spread when children mix going back to school or returning from camp. Some of those germs could cause COVID-19 in a year with a high incidence of the delta variant. For your child to be protected against this highly contagious coronavirus, the CDC recommends that they wear masks in school and other crowded places. Make sure that everyone in your family is at least 12 years old and receives a COVID-19 shot.What if your children are older than that? What happens if your children develop symptoms or are in contact with someone who has COVID-19 positive?We asked several public health professionals and parents to share their strategies for keeping their children and families safe.What should I do if my child wakes up with the sniffles and a runny nose?Keep them at home, and make sure to consult your pediatrician."This happened to [recently], at camp," said Seema Lakdawala (virologist, University of Pittsburgh). She has two children, aged 5 and 8 years. "My 8-year-old daughter woke up with a runny nose and was sneezing when she woke up."After her daughter was home, she called her pediatrician to discuss her symptoms. According to the doctor, allergies were likely the culprit. The child had been suffering from allergies to grass pollen for years and it is already hay fever season in her area. The symptoms disappeared when Lakdawala prescribed allergy medication to her daughter.Lakdawala says that the key is that Lakdawala's daughter has never been exposed to COVID-19. The mom states that if her daughter had been on a plane or traveled recently, she would want to have COVID-19 tested.If warranted, test for COVID-19.While everyone is healthy, get PCR-tested for coronavirus in a hurry. "Our pediatrician's clinic, like many pediatric clinics has walk-in hours to treat children who are sick," Dr. Cassandra Pierre (medical director of public health programs at Boston Medical Center) says. She is also a parent to 3-year-old twins. "These hours are in the morning which means that my child could be tested and receive the results the same day.You can keep your child at home while you wait for the results.You can also purchase over-the-counter rapid antigen tests at your local pharmacy and keep them in your medicine cupboard for when you need them. She has two children, aged 11 and 14. The PCR tests are more sensitive than the swabs, so they might miss minor infections. They are quick and easy to use. Gronvall states that they provide "peace of mind," especially for those who are symptomatic.Try not to spread the symptoms, even if they are "just a common cold."Pierre advises that regardless of your child's COVID-19 status please do not send them back to school if their coughing or sneezing continues.The day she spoke with us, her 3-year-old son was at home with a cold after coming home from daycare. Pierre states, "If my son is still sick tomorrow and still stuffy with nasal secretions, then I wouldn't hesitate to put him back and expose other children." She says that even though it can be difficult to arrange childcare, the pandemic has made her realize that she relies on other people's decisions. "I want to ensure that I make good decisions to avoid other children and parents getting sick."Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious diseases doctor at UCSF, advises that children who have mild cold symptoms should wear masks to school, camp, or daycare.What happens if my child is positive for coronavirus infection?"Don't panic," says Pierre. "The most important thing is to remember that children are resilient. The majority of COVID-19 cases in children are mild. You should keep an eye on your child, especially if there are any underlying conditions that might need to be monitored.You can plan ahead about who and how you will care for someone if they get sick.Although household life can be complicated, think about ways you could reduce the child's contact to others in your house. Think about how you and your family could divide up the care. This is what Lakdawala (her husband) have experienced. Both are fully vaccinated but their children are not yet eligible. She says that if one of their children tests positive for coronavirus they will divide the household into parent-child pairings in different areas. They may then share the kitchen together, and reduce the time they spend in enclosed spaces.Lakdawala recommends reaching out to friends, family, or neighbors who are fully vaccinated to offer support if you need it.To reduce household transmission risk, layer protections are availableIt is important to have multiple forms of protection.Pierre states that vaccines are the first line of defense. Pierre says, "We should think about getting everyone in the house vaccinated to protect their health and that of the child." As long as the person is healthy and does not have COVID-19 symptoms, vaccinated people can still provide care.Pierre says that an older child with COVID-19 might be able to stay in their bedroom with their bathroom. This allows the virus to be contained in a limited area of the house.Even if you have limited space or bathrooms, there are proven ways that transmission can be reduced.COVID-19 is primarily transmitted by the air. Pierre says that respiratory hygiene should be your top priority.Gandhi says that masks should be worn by everyone who shares indoor space with someone who is sick. This applies to everyone, not just when they are sleeping, eating, or drinking. This reduces the amount that the person with a virus infection inhales into the atmosphere. It also limits the amount that others in the household inhale.To disperse any virus clouds that might be in the air, Lakdawala suggests that you bring fresh air into your home. Pierre says that air purifiers can filter out viruses from the air in a room.You can also transmit the virus by touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Pierre suggests that you clean and disinfect all surfaces, including the kitchen counter or bathroom table, especially if someone is coughing or sneezing. It's a good idea for everyone in the household to be tested for the coronavirus after a few days (CDC recommends 3-5 day following a known exposure).Keep them at home until they are no longer contagiousAsymptomatic infections can also spread disease. However, COVID-19 sufferers are more likely to spread the illness to others once they first experience symptoms. Gronvall states that if the symptoms are gone 10 days later and the fever has not increased, then the illness is no longer contagious. She says that children may experience symptoms like loss of taste or smell that last for a longer time. However, they don't have to stop them from going back to school if there is a risk to others.What type of mask should a child use?Any mask that fits comfortably, has no gaps around your mouth, nose, or chin, and is not too tight should be worn. Adults are encouraged to use cloth masks, but the advice for children is a bit different. The best mask for children is one they can wear long-term, even at school. Pierre says. Pierre says, "A cotton face mask is the most comfortable, light and breathable."Bonus points for kids who like the design. Lakdawala said, "My children have the cutest masks." "They have the ones which look like little cats and smiley faces or dogs of bears or other animals." Gronvall, Gronvall's eleven-year-old son, prefers a mask with pictures of cats in outerspace that have lasers coming from their eyes. She's ordered several masks and will be sending them to school. A child will be more likely to wear a mask that they like and to use it correctly and consistently.Gandhi recommends wearing two masks to increase protection. This will make the mask more snug on the face and allow for additional protection. You can purchase a cloth mask that has a pocket and then use vacuum bag material to filter it. She says it's thin and blocks virus very well. She agrees with her conclusion that comfort is the most important thing for children. She says that if they are less likely to wear the masks, you can just skip them.Is it okay to hug our children when they are sick with COVID-19Lakadawala believes that physical contact, cuddles, and hugs can provide comfort, especially for young children. I won't deny my child that comfort if they aren't feeling well. You may feel the same way. Pierre states that, if the children are older, he would recommend physical separation.Research suggests that COVID-19-infected people are most likely to become infected within the first five days. Gandhi said that she would limit contact with them during that time. She says, "For the first five day, I would let them watch TV and try not to be as cuddly."Pierre says that if a child is suffering from a fever or needs comfort at night, it can be very difficult for them to sleep. While it is not recommended to wear a mask while you sleep, if you are sharing a bed, consider looking in the same direction as them from behind or away. You might also open the windows and use air purifiers to clear the air.Lakdawala suggests wearing masks when someone with COVID-19 is ill. Also, sharing care responsibilities among parents (including hugging) can reduce the chance that anyone in the household becomes sick.What should I do if my child gets sent home from school following a COVID-19-exposure?Our experts recommend that you quarantine your child if they aren't vaccinated.Pierre states that if the school district has specific guidelines for quarantining, Pierre should follow those instructions. Pierre says that the CDC has a definition of "close contact" for children in schools. It is less strict than other settings. "If your child physically distances 3 feet from another child with a disease, and both are wearing masks regularly, then we wouldn't consider that an exposure." If that is not the case, the child should be quarantined.Pierre says that you should take reasonable precautions in the home, but not with the rigors of going to your room every day. Keep the quarantined child away from other household members and ask that the child or other family members don't touch the child.Lakdawala has two children, one of whom is too young to get vaccinated. They share a room in her home. She says that if one child was in quarantine, she would seperate them and place them somewhere else. However, she would still send the other child to school, if it were an accidental exposure.She would then wait a few more days before getting the quarantining children tested for coronavirus using a PCR test. She would monitor them for signs and symptoms. Depending on the school policy, if no symptoms are detected or the test is negative, you can resume your normal activities within 7-14 days.Lakdawala states that the child in quarantine will be staying at home. However, the rest can continue to do essential business school, work, grocery shopping, and other tasks with a few precautions. Playdates and dinners out should be avoided by the entire family. Masks should also be worn indoors in public settings.Jane Greenhalgh, NPR producer and editor, and Rob Stein, NPR correspondent contributed reporting to this article.
