Here are 7 tips to help you educate students and children about Coronavirus facts without alarming them.
The last few weeks have been quite taxing. Many of us have been spending sleepless nights thinking about how to stay safe in the wake of the Wuhan Coronavirus outbreak in China. Many young people from schools and colleges have also expressed their curiosity, wondering about the impact of the virus on their lives and dwelling on ways they can stay safe.
Children and youngsters are contemplating whether Covid-19 is man-made or if it has been manufactured by some vested interests to harm people. They are also wondering whether it is safe to travel amidst the outbreak.
There is a lot of responsibility on teachers at this crucial time. They need to stay positive and also provide facts about the virus to their students such as how it spreads, ways to stay protected, etc. Teachers can corroborate information being provided by news channels, assuage baseless fears and answer queries as factually as possible.
Here are 7 tips to help you educate students and children about Coronavirus facts without alarming them:
1. Talk about the facts
The number of coronavirus cases is in the rise in different parts of the world. The first confirmed case of coronavirus in India was reported from the state of Kerala on January 30, 2020.
Since then, seventy-three cases have been reported in the country. Kerala’s schools and movie halls have been shutdown to prevent the spread of the virus.
2. Share information on symptoms
Teachers can empower students with information about the symptoms which includes fever, coughs and shortness of breath. In the most severe cases, individuals can also suffer from organ failure.
3. Clear misconceptions
Teachers should tell students that in case they have not bought masks, which is a compulsory thing at per the state of mind for many people there is no need to worry.
According to experts, only people who have been infected with the virus and others who are caring for the affected individuals need to wear masks.
4. Acquaint students with the most effective technique to keep the virus away
A good practice to keep coronavirus and other infections at bay is to wash hands properly, preferably with warm water and soap for 20 seconds.
In case soap and water is not available, one can also use hand sanitizers containing at least 60 percent alcohol to effectively kill viruses and bacteria.
The young individuals wanting to stay safe can easily carry a bottle of sanitizer with them.
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5. Emphasize cleaning of common surfaces
The teachers/ school authorities can take it upon themselves to ensure cleaning of surfaces such as door handles, stair rails, etc. which are used by many people regularly to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
According to experts, this is necessary as the virus tends to survive on these surfaces for a few hours to several days.
6. Tell them that coronavirus is not man-made
Teachers can explain to the students that a few conspiracy theories doing the rounds are not true and the coronavirus is definitely not man-made. These viruses exist in the environment naturally and infect humans occasionally.
Coronavirus is quite similar to SARS and MERS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome and Middle East respiratory syndrome), both of which have passed from animals to humans.
7. Share a list of steps to contain Covid-19
Teachers can share the following list with students to help them contain the virus:
- Self-isolation of people waiting to get diagnosed for the infection.
- Use of contact tracing to identify people they may have come in contact with in public places.
- Washing of hands frequently with warm water and soap before touching face or nose.
- Staying at home when a person is not feeling well.
- Avoiding contact with people who are sick.
- Covering nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. Disposing tissue afterwards.
- Using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap/water not readily available.
- Avoiding touching of nose, mouth, or eyes.
The teachers can do all this to create awareness in students about Covid-19 without alarming them about the virus. However, the risk levels should not be over prioritized in these discussions.
Moreover, the students should also know about the immediate action plan of hospitals, once a case is detected.
Preventive measures for controlling the coronavirus include setting up of isolation wards in hospitals and proper screening of people arriving in India from affected areas.
Coordination among governments is another step taken to keep the situation in control.
Courtesy: India Today
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