As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, families and carers may fear their children will contract the COVID-19 virus at school.

Unfortunately, outbreaks of COVID-19 are happening in schools. But global research has shown, at least with early variants, that school spread of the COVID-19 virus can be less than or similar to community spread when schools employ multiple prevention strategies.

What can you do to protect your school-age child? Consider strategies schools and families can take to protect student health.

Promotion of vaccination against COVID-19

COVID-19 vaccines are available in the United States for children 6 months and older. A COVID-19 vaccine and booster shot can prevent your child from contracting the COVID-19 virus or becoming seriously ill or being hospitalized with COVID-19 . Getting the COVID-19 vaccine can also help your child continue to attend school and participate in sports and other group activities safely.

wear masks

School policies regarding face masks vary. Whether or not you're vaccinated, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends wearing a face mask in public spaces if you're in a community with a high number of people, new cases of COVID-19 and hospitalizations. Wearing the most protective face covering you will wear regularly, which fits well and is comfortable indoors, can limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The CDC recommends that students and staff who have been or think they have been exposed to COVID-19 wear a mask around others for 10 days after their last exposure.

If your child wears a mask at school, keep these tips in mind:

  • Ask your child to wear the most protective mask possible that fits well and is comfortable.
  • Provide your child with a clean mask and emergency mask daily. Consider giving your child a clean, resealable bag to store the mask during lunch.
  • Label your child's mask so it is not confused with other children's masks. Tell your child never to wear another child's used mask.

screen test

Screening tests help identify people with COVID-19 who have no symptoms and who have not been known, suspected, or reported to have been exposed to COVID-19 . This can help prevent further spread of COVID-19 .

According to the CDC , if COVID-19 spreads widely, schools could test all students and staff involved in activities that may pose a higher risk, such as:

  • choir or orchestra
  • Football, soccer or any other sport that requires close contact
  • dances or sports tournaments

Schools can also test students and staff before and after holidays, such as vacation or spring break.

Schools vary in their use of screening tests. They may change requirements based on the presence of students at high risk of severe COVID-19 . Or they can change the requirements based on the level of risk in the community.

adequate ventilation

Improving ventilation in schools can reduce the amount of COVID-19 virus particles in the air. Opening multiple windows and doors, using fans, or replacing heating, ventilation, air conditioning, or air filtration systems may help. Keeping the windows open a few inches can also improve airflow during transportation to and from school.

Wash your hands

Schools and parents should encourage students to wash their hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or to use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Children should cover their mouth and nose with their elbow or handkerchief when coughing or sneezing. Children should also avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth. To ensure thorough handwashing, children can be taught to wash their hands until they have sung the entire "Happy Birthday" song twice (about 20 seconds).

Stay home if you are sick and get tested

Students showing symptoms of an infectious disease should stay at home and get tested for COVID-19 . Possible symptoms of COVID-19 in children include:

  • Fever
  • Cough that becomes productive
  • chest pain
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • skin changes such as B. discolored areas on feet and hands
  • Sore throat
  • Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or diarrhea
  • chills
  • muscle aches and pains
  • exhausted
  • New severe headache
  • new stuffy nose

Anyone with COVID-19 should stay home and isolate themselves from others for at least five full days. School policies may vary depending on when a child who has had COVID-19 can return to school.

If you are recovering from COVID-19 , the CDC recommends wearing the most protective face mask you will wear regularly that fits well and is comfortable. Wear the mask with others until day 10. Children who are too young to wear a mask should be cared for in a separate room if possible by a caregiver with a mask.

contact tracing

Contact tracing is the process of identifying people who may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 . During an outbreak, contact tracing so students and staff know when to stay home can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 . Strategies like improving ventilation or wearing a well-fitting mask can also help prevent further spread.

If your child's school is conducting contact tracing, make sure you understand the steps your child should take after exposure to COVID-19 .

cleaning and desinfection

Daily cleaning is usually sufficient to reduce the risk of germ transmission from surfaces in schools. The CDC suggests schools have procedures in place for staff to follow after meals, after exposure to liquids such as blood or saliva, and after changing diapers.

What to do if your child gets COVID-19?

Even if your family and your child's school follow these prevention strategies carefully, there is still a chance that your child will get COVID-19 . If your child tests positive for COVID-19 :

  • Talk to your child's doctor. Keep your child away from school and away from others except to receive medical attention.
  • Focus on relieving your child's symptoms. This may include rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and using pain relievers.
  • Contact your child's school. Make sure you understand the school's policies about when your child can return to school. Find out if distance learning is an option while your child stays at home.
  • Consider choosing someone in your family to take care of your sick child. Ask this caregiver to be with your child and separate from other people in the household if possible.
  • Unfortunately, pets can get COVID-19, so limit contact between your child and your pets.
  • Call the doctor if your child gets worse. Emergency warning signs include shortness of breath, persistent chest pain or pressure, new confusion, inability to wake up or stay awake, and pale, gray, or blue skin, lips, or fingernails, depending on your child's skin color.
August 23, 2022 More information