Protect Your Children From COVID-19 Infection By Applying These 5 Steps

Illustration of steps to protect your baby from infection with the Covid-19 virus (Unsplash/Atoms)

JAKARTA – The first thing that needs to be done is to stay at home and avoid crowds. As Reported by VOI, Wednesday, June 30, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, Siti Nadia Tarmizi said that the Delta variant was six times more contagious than the Alfa variant.

According to data compiled by the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI), 12.5 percent of positive cases of COVID-19 in Indonesia were experienced by children aged 0-18 years. As many as 3 to 4 percent of these children who were positive for COVID-19 died and 50 percent of them were under five.

Strengthened by the statement of the World Health Organization (WHO) scientist, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan explained that this mutated virus was twice as contagious as the original virus. The concern is that this variant of the virus, which was first discovered in India, is more deadly.

Given the need for protection for the baby, parents are required to prevent exposure to the COVID-19 virus with the following simple steps:

First, give children an understanding of the COVID-19 virus. Moreover, the Delta variant is more contagious than before. This understanding can be conveyed according to the child's capacity. The goal is to protect it so that it can still be active but closely monitored.

Second, limit children's activities outside the home. The most important thing is to avoid access to public spaces that people are free to visit. If you are not forced to take children aged 2-18 years out of the house, wear a mask and apply a physical distance of 2 meters.

If possible, wear a face shield or double mask as a form of maximum protection.

Third, explain to children not to touch their mouth, eyes, and nose too often. After returning home from outside, direct them to immediately clean themselves or take a shower and sterilize their belongings.

Fourth, if a family member is sick, keep them away from the child for a while until they recover. As much as possible do isolation to keep children away from sick family members so they don't risk exposing the virus.

Fifth, keep the nutritional intake of children in the balance. Complete nutrition and vitamins can make the body's immune system work strong against uncertain outside conditions.

Additional tips, keep the mental health of all family members. Because calm, a sense of security, and a sense of pleasure can make the body's immune work effectively.