Let The Children Leave The House To Go To School Only. Other Than That, Let Them Stay At Home

Photo by Erin Agius on Unsplash

JAKARTA - Many cases of COVID-19 in children began to appear during the implementation of face-to-face learning (PTM) in areas that implemented Level 3, 2, and 1 of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM).

All transmission of the coronavirus to students does not necessarily occur when attending face-to-face schools. An epidemiologist from Griffith University Australia, Dicky Budiman considers parents to play a major role in preventing their children from contracting COVID-19.

Dicky appealed to parents not to take their children out of the house too often for activities if they do not have a certain urgency. Because the main priority for children to leave the house is to go to school.

"Parents must be active as part of the COVID-19 Task Force. If there are activities, don't bring their children with them. Let the children prioritize school when they leave the house. This is what must be done to make the PTM successful," said Dicky to VOI, Wednesday, September 29.

Not only that. Dicky asked parents to also play a role in preparing children mentally and physically. They must provide understanding to their children to follow the PTM in accordance with health protocols.

"The role of parents is very big, including preparing equipment such as masks and hand sanitizers, including getting children used to having breakfast first from home so that they don't eat a lot at school. Then, always giving reminders that you must always wear masks and keep your distance," explained Dicky.

Then, every adult family member who is in the same house as the child must also take the full dose of COVID-19 vaccination. This is done to reduce the risk of transmitting the coronavirus to children.

Family members of productive age who are active outside the home every day must also limit interactions with children.

"When there are family members who come in and out, especially of productive age such as work, they must be able to limit interactions with these children because they are at risk. Don't kiss, hug their children first," he added.