You have probably been hearing plenty about the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in the news recently, so I thought it would be a good time to discuss the best practices to keep you & your family safe from illness.
DISCLAIMER: To be clear, this article is not specific to the Coronavirus & I am not a medical professional. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
These are just important reminders for you and your child to use in normal situations. These are all practices that our coaches will be implementing into their planning as we move forward.
WASH your hands w/ soap & water for at least 20 seconds
If bathroom access is not available to wash hands, hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol) works too! Our coaches will provide it as well and always ensure the children wash their hands before and after practice. It's also important to wash before and after eating. See proper washing practices below:
USE A TISSUE when coughing or sneezing
It's important to always dispose of the tissue after it is used as well. Leaving them around will only spread more sickness. If you can, pack Kleenex in your child's bag or backpack before school or practice. You can also teach your child to use their elbow instead of their hands ("sneeze into your chicken wing"). Also, remind them that if they do sneeze in their hands, to wash or sanitize immediately following.
AVOID high fives & handshakes
Use a fist bump instead! Even better, use your words to congratulate! It can be difficult to avoid high fives and handshakes but it is one of the easiest ways for illness to be transmitted. If you do happen to give a handshake or high five, refrain from touching your face until you can sanitize your hands!
Read more about how the Coronavirus spreads here
STAY AT HOME if you or your child is sick or showing symptoms
This one is probably the most important. It may seem easier to go to work or send your child to school if there is only mild symptoms but this is when you are most contagious. If you or your child are showing symptoms, make sure to call your healthcare provider first! It's important that we all work together to keep everyone safe.
BRING your own equipment, if possible
We don't often think about how many germs are passing from person to person when using items like baseball bats or basketballs. If you are unable to do so, bring a pack of sanitizing wipes and clean of the items you may be using that day.
You can also pick up your own gear to use! A few places that I love to use for equipment that are fairly affordable are Big 5 and Amazon. You can find almost all of the important equipment without spending too much.
It is not yet clear the extent of the COVID-19 severity for children. Young children & elderly people are at a higher risk of serious complications with the flu. It is important to keep up to date with the CDC during a pandemic like this.
One of the most important things you can do is keep yourself informed. Continue to check the CDC for information. You can view more information on the Flu & Coronavirus below:
See FAQ from the CDC's website here
High risk groups of the flu here
Lastly, make sure to talk to your child about Coronavirus & the Flu:
Stay safe everyone!