12/21/2020 - What you should have in the house just in case someone gets Covid-19:

To prepare for the possibility of Covid infection, we have put together a list of recommended items to help best manage. 

Pulse ox (Pulse Oximeter – tells you how much oxygen is in the blood):

This is a good one for adults: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YVGZPRZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is a good one for kids: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IDMQK96/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Vitamin D:

If you are exposed or positive to Covid-19-everyone in the home should double up on their dose of vitamin D for 1-2 weeks.  Very unlikely to cause toxicity (especially since they are doing Vitamin D IV infusions in hospitalized patients), and if only doubled for 1-2 weeks. 

I feel comfortable that between my kid’s multivitamin, the elderberry gummies listed above, and their diet that they are getting enough Vitamin C per day for prevention.  Extra Vitamin C worth having in the house for treatment just in case (also low in sugar): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N2V4GHZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

For adults: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003BVICUU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

“Miracle Berries”

I also found these miracle berries which I think are worth having around.  They are a natural flavor enhancer used for years with chemo patients.  In all my friends and/or their parents who have gotten Covid-19, they often describe a metallic taste in their mouth, or no taste, and they stop eating and lose so much weight.  They are safe for kids too, but I haven’t seen this issue in pediatrics (not only clinically in the office, but also based on my research). These have been shown to help with that: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DCJMH2N/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Baby Aspirin:

IN ADULTS ONLY the use of daily baby aspirin is often recommended.  PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR FIRST-IAM NOT AN ADULT DOCTOR, AND I AM ONLY GETTING AND SHARING THIS INFORMATION FROM EXTENSIVE ONLINE RESEARCH.  THIS RECOMMENDATION DEPENDS ON YOUR PREVIOUS MEDICAL HISTORY.  Here is what I bought to keep in the house just in case: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IF54OAS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Covid-19 causes a risk of blood clots, which is where this baby aspirin recommendation comes from for adults.  Kids can get blood clots too, but from the research I have done, the Vit D protects them from getting them.  Even that multi-inflammatory syndrome kids were getting early on was caused by a cytokine (type of white blood cell) “storm” (overwhelmed the body). Vitamin D is directly related in cytokine regulation.  Vitamin D is also proven to lessen the risk of autoimmune diseases.  We want people to rest when they have Covid-19, but we also want everyone (especially adults) walking around to improve circulation and prevent blood clots in the legs.

This is everything I know as of now.  I will keep researching and keeping everyone as up to date as I can.  I am all about wellness, prevention of illness, and feeling prepared.  I hope you find this helpful.

8/25/20 - Some Great Planning and Preparation for a Unique Back to School Season (Masks and General Safety)

For smaller children:

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1.       Practice.  Get the kids used to it over the next few weeks of Summer. Have them wear it during screen time, so they make a positive association with something they already enjoy doing. The goal is to practice wearing masks in an environment where they are already comfortable and feel safe. Practice wearing them both inside and outside, doing art projects and during reading time.  Start off for a small amount of time and increase to mirror a typical school day gradually over the next few weeks.

2.       Role model good behavior.  Kids learn everything by watching us.  For example, wearing helmets, using seat-belts, use of sunscreen, etc.  If we role model healthy attitudes surrounding wearing a mask, then our kids will too.  If you complain about your mask, or keep pulling it down to talk, or keep touching the front of it, your child is less likely to wear it appropriately.

3.       Allow them some control-present them with a few safe options (see previous post), let them pick which colors or patterns they want.

4.       Talk about it.  Answer your child's questions about masks, acknowledge any fear your child may have and discuss why the masks are important. Remind them that EVERYONE will be wearing the mask.  Emphasize that it is an act of kindness not only to protect themselves, but everyone around them-including their friends, their friend's families, their teachers and the entire school staff and their families too.  

This is a cute video I like for the little ones:   https://www.facebook.com/marianna.braditsa/videos/10221861264574786/?extid=qYVb1b5FzrxHOFwN 

Sesame street also has tons of videos on YouTube.

5.       A simple explanation for why masks are necessary: "Wearing a mask is a bit like sneezing into your elbow, the mask helps to keep other people around us from getting sick.  Sometimes it is possible to spread germs even if we do not feel sick."

6.       Praise their successes. A special treat, a verbal praise, etc.

7.       Use play. Practice having them put masks on their stuffed animals.  For kids into superheroes, make up some imaginative play that gives them special powers if they wear their masks.  

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This is a great video made by a pediatrician on how to get kids, using play, to not touch the front of their masks: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=smiyxbYlU_0

8.       Take breaks.  Acknowledging that masks are hot, make it harder to breathe and talk, or to understand one another is important.  Take frequent breaks if your child is getting frustrated but continue to emphasize the importance of adjusting to this new recommendation.  The last thing you want to do is make wearing a mask a power-struggle.

For older kids and teens:

Teenagers do appreciate being treated as a responsible member of the family, and many of them really care about doing the "right" thing.  Emphasizing that wearing a mask is safe, and effective, and helps protect more vulnerable members of the family and their community can be helpful.

1.       Acknowledge their feelings and frustrations about mask-wearing.

2.       Autonomy: let them choose their mask.

3.       Clarify that masks are safe and effective; they may have heard otherwise from friends or other less reliable sources.

4.       Model good mask wearing behaviors and positive attitudes.

5.       Set clear expectations.

6.       Allow them to rise to the occasion; treat them as responsible, thoughtful members of the family.

7.       Incentives.  Tie mask wearing to rewards they care about.

8.       Praise them.  

9.       Some teenagers are motivated by being leaders. Talk to them about the importance of setting examples for everyone.  

A desensitization process for wearing a mask for anxiety:

Practice up to 1 hour a day and monitor anxiety levels of a 1 to 10 scale (1 being the lowest anxiety and 10 being the highest).  When anxiety rating remains below a 4/10 by the end for the 3 days in a row, you are ready to move up to next step.

1.       30 minutes of circle breathing-breathe in to the count of 4, breathe out to the count of 6, with a relaxed body while holding the mask on your lap or in your hands.

2.       Same breathing technique as above, now holding mask up to the face.

3.       Same breathing technique as above, now wearing mask with straps over the ears.

4.       Same breathing technique as above, now practicing walking around your home while wearing the mask.

5.       Practice wearing the mask while talking to people. 

6.       Progress to wearing the mask outside the home.

For kids with special needs or Autism, 11 ways to help kids them wear masks:

https://theprimarycarer.com/2020/07/26/11-ways-to-help-kids-with-special-needs-or-autism-wear-masks/

Miscellaneous tips:

If your child has any inclination to seasonal allergies, just treat them.  There are many over the counter options that are safe for children (Zyrtec for example-5 ml ages 2-6; 10ml ages 6 and above).  These medications are once a day dosing and have minimal side effects.  Weighing risks vs benefits, this year I would give the meds during school days.  Any cough or congestion is going to make everyone concerned and may result in your child being sent home unnecessarily. 

In addition, if your child has a history of wheezing, reactive airway disease or asthma, make sure they start on their preventative meds Sept 1st-so they are ready before school starts.

Also, make sure to teach your kids to continue wearing their mask when they go to the bathroom.  There are some research articles suggesting that viral COVID particles may be shed in the poop, and when flushed may be aerosolized.  Reinforce that the kids should wash their hands super well after using the bathroom.

Miscellaneous resources:

Alcohol based wipes safe for disinfecting chrome books and other devices once the kids get home from school:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08B66RBG5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Light weight, durable, waterproof, machine washable backpacks:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015CNYBKE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Leak proof, dishwasher safe, lunch boxes with their own utensils:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07N6MP3MY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

A wrist band that holds hand sanitizer in it that you can refill (definitely not for the young kids-they will all think they are Spider-man and spray it at everyone-but could be cool for the older kids. (I ordered one in the name of research to check it out).

https://freeband.live/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-7y7vOOx6wIVD7bICh2MsAYaEAAYASAAEgKsDPD_BwE

For older kids who won't wear face shields or goggles, but you would feel better having them wear some sort of eye protection, these are a cheap option:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FDTSYRW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They also block the blue light from screens, so that kind of makes me feel a little better about it too, but the American Academy of Ophthalmology does not think this is necessary: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/blue-light-digital-eye-strain?fbclid=IwAR00kll5k8VnyzeQziC3klsfavlEuk93huSGJWvXstYDARkIj5iUMNsyeo4

(A special thank you to thepediatricianmom.com-She wrote an excellent blog that helped me write this -  https://thepediatricianmom.com/tips-to-help-your-child-wear-a-mask/) 

COVID - 19 Resources

preparing your children for a covid test

Parenting During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Mindfulness and Covid-19

Covid-Related Topics for Teens

Wearing Masks: