Answers to 5 questions your kids may have about coronavirus

As we inch closer to the last quarter of 2020, the pandemic continues to ravage globally. For billions of people across the world, the unprecedented spread of COVID-19 has resulted in widespread fears, anxiety and loss.

The silent sufferers amidst all the chaos that the novel contagion has unfurled upon us, are the little kids. They watch closely, as their world quietly shifts within the walls of their homes, face masks become a regular companion during those rare outdoors visits and meetings with friends and family members completely shift online. Parents, it is important to understand that your children can pick on your anxiety and stress.

Depending on their age, they may also begin to understand that there is a looming threat called coronavirus, which may make them anxious and scared as well. This is precisely why it is crucial that you answer the questions your child may have about coronavirus and what exactly is happening across the world. Your answers will not give clarity and help your kid stay safe during the pandemic, but also dissipate their anxious thoughts. Here are the answers to some of the questions your children may have:

If your child is grown up enough to understand that coronavirus is making older people sicker, you may want to lead with just the right amount of honesty. Tell them that their grandparents will do everything to ensure that they don’t fall sick (washing hands, avoiding exposure, wearing face covers). You can also reassure them that you will take care of their grandparents, in case they happen to contract COVID-19.

You can simply explain that taking necessary precautions will ensure that you don’t fall sick. Tell your children about doctors and nurses, who are helping sick people fight the disease and get healthy again.

Honesty with tact can go a long way. Tell your child that there are really smart people out there who are working to produce medicine for the virus. Till then we will have to stay home to keep ourselves and other people safe. Also ensure that your child stays in touch with his friends, through regular video calls and virtual play dates.

We will have to stay home for some more time so that fewer people contract the virus and it stops spreading. The more careful everyone is, the sooner we can actually start going out and meeting our loved ones and doing things that we liked. For collective good, everyone has to minimise going out.

Keeping our hands clean (and not touching our faces) is the most important step that we can take to stay healthy and not fall sick. It is easy for us to pick up germs that make us sick, so washing our hands is the easiest way to stay safe.