The Connections Bernards Ridge Edition Sept 2020

theconnectionsnj.com HEALTH & WELLNESS PAGE 16 ALLYSON AGATHIS, MD, FAAP Board Certified in Pediatrics 395 Main Street Bedminster 908-719-2626 dragathispediatrics.com By: Allyson Agathis MD FAAP Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics NJ AAP Executive Committee Our children’s education is paramount to their future success. School districts are trying their hardest to prepare facilities and families for the return to school. Here are some of the things you can do to help ready yourselves and your family for the return. 1. If your child has any special health care needs or risk factors, or anyone in your home has any risk factors which makes them more susceptible to COVID19, discuss these with your doctor. Despite our best efforts, no school can guarantee there will be no risk to stu- dents. In some cases, students and families may need to choose a remote option. 2. Prepare your child for wearing a mask. Most schools will require them. There are sever- al types. The fit of the mask is most important and it needs to cov- er the child’s nose AND mouth and is comfortable. Try a few over the summer. Have your child wear the mask while playing video games in preparation for school. Make sure you have enough. Some masks are meant to be dispos- able, that is, used once. Some masks like fabric masks are washable but they need to be washed daily as they may be potentially contaminated. Make sure you have enough to wear a new clean mask daily. 3. Explain social distancing to children and the importance of the care we take. “Isn’t it great we can protect ourselves and others by wearing a mask”!! We are all getting compliance fatigue but your positive message is important. 4. Symptom check your child every day be- fore school. Take their temperature, ask about any symptoms they may be having. 5. Most importantly keep your child home if they are ill. Even if you suspect it is allergies or a non-COVID illness, keep them home for the day and discuss their symptoms with your health care provider. 6. Get a flu shot as soon as they are available. Not only will this decrease the incidence of flu but it will allow us to help differen- tiate between Influenza symptoms and COVID19 cases. 7. Make sure you maintain social distancing at home. If the school is attempt- ing to cohort students by being in small groups and then you have playdates at home with other children, their efforts are for naught. Do zoom playdates! 8. Remember travel quarantines are in place. Take that into consideration when planning vacations. If you are traveling back from a COVID “hotspot” make sure you leave enough time after your return for quarantining. 9. September is Readiness Month! Make sure you have emergency supplies and any regular medications on hand in case of illness, weather emergencies, etc. We can make this school year a suc- cess if we all work as a team. September is Readiness Month! Make sure you have emergency supplies and any regular medications on hand in case of illness, weather emergencies, etc. We can make this school year a success if we all work as a team. ARE WE READY FOR SCHOOL? Pediatrics and adolescent Medicine What kind of flu shot do you get? sanofi-Pasteur Preservative-free Mercury-free flu shots