Staying Healthy & Happy

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infection caused by a coronavirus that may lead to serious respiratory illness. The virus spreads through respiratory droplets from infected people who cough or sneeze. The droplets can land on people who are nearby or on nearby surfaces. If a person breathes in those droplets, they may become infected. You may also get infected if you touch a surface that has the virus on it and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. 

It is important to wash your hands with soap and water to remove the virus from your hands. This helps prevent the spread of COVID-19 to yourself and others. Because COVID-19 spreads so easily, staying home and away from others (social distancing) helps prevent others from getting sick and spreading the disease further. 

Resources:

Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)(opens in new window) -- World Health Organization (WHO)

How COVID-19 Spreads(opens in new window) -- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

COVID-19 Updates: California(opens in new window) -- California Department of Public Health

Self-isolation, quarantine and stay-at-home: What the terms mean and how they differ(opens in new window) -- CNN

Video spotlight: providing approachable and science-forward information about COVID-19 (recommended for ages 12+)

With a change in routine and an increase in public conversations about COVID-19, children may be anxious or fearful about getting sick or seeing their loved ones get sick. Parents, teachers, and other trusted adults are the best source for acknowledging concern, and leading conversations about best practices for preventing the spread of infection. 

Resources:

Just For Kids: A Comic Exploring the New Coronavirus(opens in new window) -- National Public Radio (NPR)

How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus(opens in new window) -- PBS KIDS for Parents

Talking With Children About Coronavirus Disease 2019(opens in new window) -- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Teaching Kids to Wash Their Hands(opens in new window) -- Stanford Children's Health

Video spotlight: providing kid-friendly description of how our immune system works (recommended ages 6+)

Video spotlight: providing information for our little scientists on how germs are spread and why washing our hands is important (recommended ages 3+)

We are experiencing disrupting changes to our social, work, and school routines due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By protecting ourselves and our communities through social-distancing and isolation, we may find ourselves with greater anxiety, stress, and uncertainty. It is important, especially now, to take care of our well-being and mental health at home.

Resources:

I Spent a Year in Space, and I Have Tips on Isolation to Share(opens in new window) -- Scott Kelly, retired NASA astronaut

Managing Stress and Anxiety(opens in new window) --Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Working Remotely During COVID-19: Your Mental Health & Well-being (PDF) -- American Psychiatric Association

COVID-19/Coronavirus: Mental Health Considerations (PDF) -- World Health Organization (WHO)

Helping Children & Teens Cope with Anxiety about COVID-19(opens in new window) -- Seattle Children's Hospital