How to Keep My Family Safe From Covid

COVID-nineteen Rubber Tips for Families

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Published on December 8, 2021

Although the coronavirus pandemic is not over, at that place is some good news: TheCOVID-xix vaccines are widely available, safe and very effective at preventing SARS-CoV-two infection and the severe forms of COVID-19. Here are some recommended safety tips for your family from Johns Hopkins Children'due south Center infectious diseases specialistAnna Sick-Samuels, M.D., Chiliad.P.H.

What Yous Demand to Know

The vacation flavor may exist safer this twelvemonth because more people are vaccinated.
If everyone in your family is fully vaccinated and infection rates are low in your area, traditional family go-togethers can be on schedule. Still plan to take infection prevention precautions, specially during travel and when gathering indoors.
Be aware of vaccination and COVID-19 data and guidelines in your area so yous tin can aid yourself and your family stay safe.
COVID-19 is still circulating, and unvaccinated children and adults remain at higher risk for infection.

Anybody ages five and older should get vaccinated

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends a COVID-nineteen vaccine for children historic period 5 and older, as well every bit for all adults. COVID-19 vaccination boosters are also recommended for those who are:

• age xviii or older and received the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine at to the lowest degree two months ago

• age eighteen or older and received both required doses of the Moderna vaccine, with the 2d dose at least half-dozen months agone

• age sixteen or older and received both required doses of the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine, with the second dose at to the lowest degree six months ago

Now that millions of people have been fully vaccinated, everyone can take confidence in the prophylactic of getting vaccinated. Serious side effects from the COVID-19 vaccines are very rare, and the viral infection can cause many more serious and potentially long-term health problems than getting vaccinated. About side effects from the vaccine are mild and get better on their own in ane or two days. The vaccines can help prevent severe coronavirus disease, hospitalization and death, even from the SARS-CoV-ii delta variant and other variants currently circulating.

It takes about 14 days later vaccination to build upward protective amnesty (and then getting a shot the twenty-four hours before a vacation gathering will not assistance forbid catching COVID during the gathering).
Remember how COVID-19 spreads

The coronavirus that causes COVID-nineteen spreads when someone with the virus coughs, sneezes, sings or talks when close to others. Droplets containing the virus tin can enter another person's body through their eyes, nose, mouth or lungs. These viral droplets and particles spread among people more easily in indoor than outdoor areas, where air movement can blow them abroad. Rarely, people tin get the coronavirus past touching a contaminated surface and and so touching their face up. If y'all are infected just don't take any symptoms, you can withal spread the virus to other people. COVID-19 vaccines not only help prevent people from getting sick but also reduce the chance of spreading the coronavirus to family members, friends and neighbors.

Outdoor gatherings, even without masks, are safer than indoor gatherings. Indoor gatherings with anybody wearing masks are less likely to lead to transmissions than indoor gatherings with people not wearing masks. Considering of this, it is of import to wear a mask and practice physical distancing in public places, especially indoor, to prevent viral spread. If y'all have symptoms of respiratory illness, stay abode and do not get together with others, even if the symptoms are balmy.
Spotter out for COVID symptoms

COVID-19 symptoms can include fever, cough, trouble breathing, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat and other symptoms. Compared to adults, children and teenagers usually experience relatively milder symptoms, but can develop an uncommon merely serious lung infection requiring hospitalization or multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), which tin be a life-threatening complication. MIS-C occurs after the virus infection and symptoms can include persistent fever, rashes, abdominal hurting, diarrhea, vomiting, headache and altered mental status.
Keep up with coronavirus condom precautions

Your family members probably have had lots of practice washing their hands thoroughly, physically distancing, wearing masks, sneezing into the bend of their elbows and keeping things make clean. Make sure everyone in your family unit — especially those who are non yet fully vaccinated, such as immature children — remembers to continue precautions such as mask wearing and concrete distancing. These basic measures keep to be the first lines of defence to prevent acquiring or spreading the virus that causes COVID-19. The goal of prevention measures like mask wearing and getting eligible children vaccinated is to aid keep children salubrious, in school and participating in their activities.

The very contagious delta variant is circulating, and mask wearing will assist prevent outbreaks. This is one reason why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend masking for children in grades K-12, fifty-fifty for those who are fully vaccinated. Bonus: These practices too help protect y'all from common colds, flu and other contagious respiratory diseases that often show upward in the fall and winter months.
Follow guidelines for public places

Even when most people in your community are fully vaccinated, some are yet at gamble and sometimes even fully vaccinated people tin go infected. Children under age 5 cannot be vaccinated yet, and people having an organ transplant or receiving treatment for some forms of cancer may not get equally much protection from the vaccines. Follow posted coronavirus precautions in public areas and businesses. Experts recommend having a fresh mask handy to assist go along yourself and others safe if you enter an indoor environment such equally a health care facility where vulnerable people might exist present.
Aid kids stick to safe routines

COVID-nineteen safety rules and precautions vary from school to schoolhouse. Guidelines for children under age 5 might be different than those for kids who are eligible for COVID-xix vaccinations. Spotter for changes to policies at your child's school if the COVID-nineteen state of affairs changes — for instance, if the number of new cases begins to rise in your area. The number of COVID-19 cases occurring from school contacts frequently follows the aforementioned design in the surrounding customs. Do what'due south right for you and your family unit, basing your decisions on frank discussion with your child'southward doctor and school, and reliable sources for COVID-19 information, such as the CDC'southward recommendations for school settings.
Maintain healthy habits

The COVID-19 pandemic has given us a new perspective on the importance of skillful health. Your family can build on that by cultivating good habits such every bit maintaining a salubrious diet, not smoking or vaping, getting vaccinated for contagious diseases (including COVID-19 and the flu) and keeping up with regular doctor checkups and wellness screenings.
Exercise your bodies and minds

Do and other forms of self-care are essential for adept health. Fifty-fifty if your schedule is becoming busier now, a walk, run or bike ride outdoors does wonders for the mind and spirit. A family trip the light fantastic party with your favorite tunes can aid you share laughter and memories. Playing challenging games, researching topics at your local library, taking a class, or learning a new sport or skill such as cooking, home comeback or playing a musical instrument keeps your mind engaged as nosotros wait for more than of life to render to normal.
Take care of your mental health

The coronavirus pandemic has been tough on everyone, separating united states from loved ones, upending schedules, and affecting personal safety and fiscal security. Await for signs of feet and depression, especially in children and teens, who might not be able to voice their feelings equally well as adults. If someone in your family shows persistent sadness, irritability, sleeplessness, lack of energy, nervousness, problematic drinking or substance use, encourage them to get professional help, which can restore hope and well-being.
Stay alert for changes

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve. While vaccines are offering hope, coronavirus variants such as delta are a concern, peculiarly for those who are not fully vaccinated. Further mutations of the coronavirus might complicate the motion-picture show. Staying upwards to date with fact-based, reliable medical information on the coronavirus, such as the CDC's guidelines for community, work and schoolhouse, can empower you, your family and your customs as nosotros look toward the future.