Social distancing & talking to kids about COVID-19

COVID-19 Update, March 11, 2020

Social distancing & talking to kids about COVID-19

Today’s COVID-19 Update looks a bit different because we have transitioned to using a GovDelivery listserv to deliver it. This also means that you are now subscribed to receive Department of Health Public Health Connection blogs that are related to COVID-19. If you want to manage your e-newsletter subscription preferences, you can do so here. We are making this switch because, that, my friends, is what blogs are for, and this makes it easier for us to bring you the latest information. Feel free to share this email, and our blog link widely!

Governor announces new social distancing plans. Gov. Jay Inslee announced new community strategies and social distancing plans today. These social distancing strategies will reduce opportunities for us to spread COVID-19 to one another. Starting today, any gathering or event with more than 250 people is prohibited in King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties.

Have you talked to your kids about COVID-19? Kids are talking about it to each other and may have some worries or misinformation.

  • Let them know that it’s natural and okay to be worried. I’m worried too. You can reassure them that kids who have gotten COVID-19 have recovered nicely.

  • Let’s make sure our kids have the right information. Help the older ones understand how to find reliable information on the internet. More DOH blog and CDC website; less YouTube.

  • Teach the little ones how we keep our bodies healthy—good food, lots of sleep, exercise. Drink water. You know the drill.

  • Remind them of the last time they were sick. How did they feel? What made them feel better? Help them translate those memories into compassion for others who are sick and into desire to keep themselves and others healthy.

  • Teach them to wash their hands and cover their coughs.

  • And if they are really into it, encourage them to explore a career in public health!  

Numbers. The latest numbers are on our webpage, which we update daily. As of today’s web refresh, 366 people in Washington have tested positive for COVID-19, and 29 have died of the disease. The numbers are going up quickly as more labs begin testing.

Practice compassion. Remember to have compassion for yourself. This is a stressful time, with changes to events we looked forward to, potential job impacts of closures, and worry for our health and for our loved ones. Take a minute to breathe. You are doing your best!

Take care of yourselves and each other!

Lauren

Contact: Lauren Jenks, Department of Health Assistant Secretary, 360-236-0374

Department of Health call center: 1-800-525-0127, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m, seven days a week

CHA Washington