Armed with Knowledge
Herman Melville wrote, “Ignorance is the parent of fear,” and what a true sentiment that is. This is why in times of uncertainty, the best we can do is to arm ourselves with knowledge. That’s the best way for us to approach the COVID-19 pandemic. For many families and parents, this has been a truly trying and scary time. Of course, you want to do everything you can to protect your children and safeguard your home from any potential harm, and that applies to the COVID-19 virus as much as it does anything else.
Safety Measures You Can Take
The positive thing here is that there are many precautions you can take to greatly decrease your family’s risk of contracting the virus from practicing social distancing to rigorous hand hygiene to properly sanitizing your home. The CDC, the hub for the most up-to-date information surrounding the virus, has put together a very helpful and informative household checklist for families to help them navigate these circumstances while promoting safety for all. There are a few things you can put into practice to help keep you and yours safe and healthy, and hopefully give yourself a little deserved peace of mind as well.
- Stay Informed– Staying up to date on the latest information will only help you in your efforts to avoid illness
- Prepare for the Possibility of Illness– consider family members who may be more at risk and form a game plan for what you’ll do should that occur
- Daily Preventative Steps– frequent hand washing, avoid touching your face, stay home if you are sick
- Look for Symptoms– Stay home and contact your healthcare provider or Chattanooga pediatrician if you or your children develop symptoms including fever, cough, or shortness of breath
- Seek medical attention– Seek medical attention immediately in the presence of emergency COVID-19 warning signs including trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse, bluish lips or face
- Limit Close Contact with Others– maintaining a distance of 6 feet or more to reduce risk
Of course, during the times when you have to go out in public, you can still be mindful and careful in effort to stay safe and keep others safe. Try to maintain distance between yourself and others, and wear a mask or protective face covering per the CDC’s recommendations. Wearing a cloth mask snugly but comfortably can help dramatically slow the spread of this virus. Learn more about the CDC’s position on face mask use, and even how to make your own home sewn or no-sew cloth masks. Our doors at NiteOwl Pediatrics are once again open, and we are here to serve Chattanooga families during this pandemic. Learn more about the after hours pediatric urgent care we are providing, and about our pediatric telemedicine option for times when it’s more convenient or you feel safer at home but need medical care for your children. Our staff is here for you and your family, and, pandemic or not, we hope to support you in any way we can.