COVID-19 Safety Measures

​Wear a mask

 

Wear a face mask in indoor public spaces, such as schools. If you are in an area with a high number of new COVID-19 cases, wear a mask outdoors in crowded areas or when you are in close contact with others who aren’t fully vaccinated.

If your child's school requires or encourages the use of face masks, consider these tips:

• Wearing face masks should be a priority especially when it's hard to maintain social distance, such as on the bus, at carpool drop-off or pickup, and when entering the building.

• Have multiple face masks available for your child. Provide your child with a clean mask and back-up mask each day and a clean, resealable bag for them to store the mask when they can't wear it, such as at lunch.

• Label your child's mask clearly so it's not confused with another child's.

• Practice properly putting on and taking off face masks with your child while avoiding touching the cloth portions.

• Remind your child that they should clean their hands before and after touching their mask.

• Instruct your child to never share or trade masks with others.

• Talk to your child about the importance of wearing a face mask and model wearing them as a family.

• Discuss with your child why some people may not be able to wear face masks for medical reasons.

Don't place a face mask on a child younger than age 2, a child who has any breathing problems, or a child who has a condition that would prevent him or her from being able to remove the mask without help.

 

Keep hands clean

Practice hand-washing at home with your child and explain why it's important to wash his or her hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before and after eating, coughing/sneezing, or adjusting a face mask. To prevent rushing, suggest washing hands for as long as it takes to sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice. When hand-washing isn't available, suggest that your child use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Also, explain that he or she should avoid touching his or her eyes, nose, and mouth.

 

Clean and disinfect

Whether your child is being schooled at home or at school, cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces can help reduce the risk of illness. This includes frequently touched items such as doorknobs, faucets, keyboards, tablets and phones.

 

Stay home if sick

You should monitor your child each day for signs of COVID-19. These include:

• Fever

• Nasal congestion or runny nose

• Cough

• Sore throat

• Shortness of breath

• Fatigue

• Headache

• Muscle aches

• Nausea or vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Poor appetite

• New loss of taste or smell

• Belly pain

• Pink eye