Editorial

. . . And have a Covid talk with all of your kids

Posted

School’s starting this week. That’s a scary thought, given that we were supposed to have vanquished the coronavirus by now but simply have been unable to, despite our best efforts. This is one mean virus.
All parents of school-age children, whether they’re kindergartners or seniors in high school, should have a talk with them not only about avoiding strangers and saying no to drugs and alcohol, but also about staying safe from Covid-19.
Remind them to wear their masks in school, as mandated now by New York state. Tell them to maintain social distancing, and to cover their mouths when they cough, and to stay home when they’re feeling sick. And don’t forget about handwashing — lots of handwashing with good old soap and water.
Conversations should be age-appropriate. There’s no need to scare young children. They need to be reassured that they will be safe in school. Meanwhile, teens might need a more frank discussion.
PBS Kids for Parents has an excellent primer on “How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus” that’s worth a quick read. You can find it at www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-coronavirus.