How to Keep Your Kids Safe from Omicron
The Omicron variant continues to loom across the nation, leaving parents struggling to figure out how best to keep their children safe in school, daycare, or playtime. While we want to get kids back to enjoy being kids, it’s always good to keep them healthy. For this reason, at Prestige ER, we bring you How to Keep Your Kids Safe from Omicron.
Omicron is a highly transmissible variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19, and unlike previous variants, Omicron represents a real risk for small children.
The latest data from COVID-NET indicates the hospitalization rate for children aged 0-4 is 7.8 per 100,000. While the rate for children aged 5-17 is 2.3 per 100,000.
Omicron has placed added stress and anxiety on parents, teachers, and the children themselves. Here are a few ways you can help reduce your child’s risk of infection.
Assess your Family Risk
When assessing your family’s risk of infection, take into consideration the following:
- Do you have children under the age of 5 who are not eligible for the vaccine?
- Is any of your children immunocompromised, or do they have an underlying medical condition that can increase their risk of severe illness
- Are you kids attending in-person classes
- Do you have teenagers with active social lives?
The more contact with other people you kids have, the greater the chances they could become infected with Omicron or another variant.
Give Your Children the Right Information
There is much misinformation going around, and your children may not be able to tell the difference between false and accurate information.
The first thing to do is target the message according to your child’s age. For example, small children may have more trouble understanding why they need to wear masks or wash their hands frequently than older children.
While you want to be truthful with your children, try to avoid using overly negative language, which can cause anxiety in children.
Remember to teach children that science is constantly discovering new things. And as we learn more about this virus and the illness it causes, the safety measures will change to help keep us all safer.
Keep an Eye Out for Anxiety Warnings
As parents, one of the best things we can do is listen to our children. For example, if your child says they don’t want to go to school because they fear getting sick, address their concerns in a positive, reassuring way.
If you are dealing with teenagers experiencing FOMO (fear of missing out) because they see other kids their age attending large parties, then take the opportunity to turn this into a positive.
Let them know that by following safety protocols, they contribute to the well-being of their families and that of their friends and the whole community.
Get Your Children Vaccinated
If your children are eligible for the vaccine, please get them vaccinated. Data shows that the risk of hospitalization in unvaccinated children is higher than in those who are fully vaccinated.
Continue to Follow Safety Protocols
Please remind your children of the importance of wearing masks when out in public, washing their hands frequently, not sharing food utensils, drinking out of the same glass or bottle as other children, and keeping physical distance from people who don’t live at home.
At Prestige ER, we care about all the residents of our community, from the smallest to the eldest. We will always be here to lend a helping hand when emergencies arise.
Prestige ER – In Plano and Mesquite
#1 CHOICE for FAST 24/7 EMERGENCY CARE
At Prestige ER we are fully equipped to diagnose and treat anyone showing the typical symptoms of all respiratory illnesses, as well as those who have developed complications. Our in-house certified laboratory and extensive diagnostic equipment will provide quick and accurate results, allowing our emergency doctors to begin lifesaving treatment immediately.
We are available 24/7 because an accident or illness complication can happen at any time. Do not risk your health for not getting help from the ER experts, visit us immediately at your nearest location.
Find the Emergency Room Specialists at prestigeer.org, We provide the Best 24 HR. Emergency Medical Services in Plano or Mesquite. Don’t Wait in Line for ER Care!
Get back on track to enjoying life, FAST! Experienced, Effective and Caring Emergency Physicians team up with the best On-Site ER care for everything from Minor to Major Injuries and Conditions.
- CT Scan, Digital X-Ray & Ultrasound
- Certified Full-Service Diagnostic Laboratory
- Specialized Pediatrics ER Care Facilities
- Extended Stay Capacity
