How Kolkata moms keep kids safe in public spaces

While vaccines have returned some amount of normalcy to our lives, for parents, the struggle continues as children below 18 still can’t get vaccinated. However, after more than one and a half years of staying confined to home, many fully vaccinated

parents

are now starting to step out with their

kids

in tow. As they eagerly await the announcement of vaccines for the

under 18

age bracket, parents are making sure to

follow

all the important COVID safety norms while they spend time with their little ones at

public

spaces. CT spoke to city mothers from different professional backgrounds to know how they are keeping their kids safe while letting them breathe some fresh air.

We use wet wipes, napkins, sanitisers even in open places
I wish COVID vaccines for children below 18 are introduced soon. Children have been the worst affected by the pandemic. They can’t go to school, meet their friends or play in the park. My daughter (Antahkarana Hari) loves the outdoors. Not going out makes her cranky. I carry wet wipes, napkins and sanitiser whenever I take her out, even to open places. I am trying to make her get into the practice of wearing masks.
– Koneenica Banerjee, actress



My son doesn’t need reminders for masks
At two and a half years, my son Merak (Das) is well aware of basic COVID safety norms, such as wearing a mask, washing hands, avoiding physical contact like handshake or hugs, avoiding touching surfaces such as table tops, chairs, door handles etc. I’ve taught Merak that every time he goes out to the lawn to play, he has to wash his hands and he follows it obediently. He doesn’t need reminders for wearing masks, which helps in keeping him safe from pollution too. For his strong immune system, I make him have lots of fruits, vegetables and fish. We are continuing to avoid outside food.
– Payel De, actress

I ensure they sleep & eat well; elder one always wears mask
I am a mother of two daughters – Adwitiya Mitra (7) and Saanjh Mitra (1). These days, my elder daughter sometimes accompanies me when I step out. Adwitiya is extremely cautious about wearing masks, so she wears two of them. You’ll never find her without a sanitiser. Saanjh is hardly taken out because she is too young to wear a mask. But we took her with us to Puri and Santiniketan. While we have our own house in Santiniketan, in Puri, we stayed at a resort that was far from the crowded areas. I also make sure that my daughters get enough sleep besides having one seasonal fruit and vegetable every day so that their immunity remains strong.
– Ananya Bhowmik, clinical nutritionist and lifestyle consultant

Both daughters follow my instructions on masks, other precautions seriously
I have taught our daughters – Kanza Shamim (17) and Yashfin Shamim (13) – how to stay safe from the pandemic, and thankfully both follow it meticulously. They understand why masks are mandatory. Other than that, they frequently wash their hands with soap for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol. They also avoid touching their faces and keep six feet of distance from others when out. Getting plenty of sleep helps them have a good immune system. Right now, we are letting them go out to open places only..
– Tarannum Ara, professor

I make sure strangers don’t touch or hold my son; stick to parks
My son (Uttoriyo Ghosh Dasgupta) is just nine months old. I do take him out at times to cheer him up. Since he can’t wear a mask at this age, we stay away from crowded places like malls and bazaars. We usually stick to playgrounds. Recently, I took him to a wedding as it was an open-air venue. Whenever we are out, I make sure that strangers don’t touch or hold my son. Sometimes it does come across as rude, but I have to do this for Uttoriyo’s safety. So I prefer taking him to places where I know the people we are meeting.
– Pooja Dasgupta, Business analyst

Make your child realise why covid precaution is important
Children need to follow the same COVID protocols as adults. However, there is some confusion about which age a child should start wearing a mask. It is the parent’s duty to make the child realise the importance of wearing a mask, sanitising and washing hands. Wash hands with soap before eating, touching your face, after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing, and especially after leaving a public place. Avoid crowded places and spaces that do not have enough fresh air. Children have an internal immunity by birth, which protects them from the virus. They must also get enough sleep and proper nutrition.
– Dr Apurba Ghosh, Director, Institute of Child Health