The Coronavirus Outbreak: What Parents and Children Need to Know

It’s no longer news that the world in 2020 has been experiencing a wide range of natural disasters, deaths, epidemic including Coronavirus and Lassa fever, and manmade hazards such as the Balogun market fires.

Coronavirus Basics

Coronavirus is generally transmitted between animals and human beings. It has spread to other parts of the world including the UK, the US, Japan, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, India, and several others.

The common symptoms of this infection are:

  • Breathing difficulties
  • Fever
  • Sneezing
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Pneumonia
  • Kidney failure
  • Death

The New York Times, on February 9th, announced that over 800 people have died in China from this infection. With about 37,198 people infected and over 750 deaths around the world, this outbreak sure proves scary and deadly. So far, there are no reported Coronavirus cases in Nigeria. But how do you protect yourself, whether you’re a parent or a child?

Safety Measures Relating to the Coronavirus Outbreak

  • Wash your hands with soap and water as often as possible in order to get rid of germs or other invisible dirt. You can also use hand sanitizers or other alcohol-based hand rubs as they can eliminate the virus if you happen to come in contact with it.
  • When you sneeze or cough, use tissue and dispose it into a sealed bin. Alternatively, curve your elbow and sneeze away from yourself. This way, you don’t get to come in contact with whatever germs may be in your hands. Also, wash your hands with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer afterwards.
  • Try to stay away from people who are sneezing and coughing. Since you cannot say for certain that they don’t have a fever or that they don’t have the virus, it’s better to give them some space to protect yourself.
  • Avoid touching your face, mouth, and nose with your hands especially when you are outdoors or your hands are contaminated. The dirt you come in contact with from touching people or objects could be transferred to these parts of your body without your knowledge.
  • If you have a fever, visit the hospital immediately. Do not assume that it is something mild. Whether you are coughing, sneezing or breathing with difficulty, ensure that you get swift medical examination.
  • When you go to the market, especially meat or animal markets, avoid coming in contact with any animals. As soon as you leave the market, wash your hands with soap and water. More importantly, do not eat any animals which are spoiled or sick.
  • Watch the kind of milk products which you purchase and consume especially during these periods. Animal products are questionable for now.
  • Other times when you should wash your hands are when you use the restroom, when cooking, when caring for the sick, and when you return home from the outdoors.
  • Buy and use a mask for covering your nose and mouth to protect yourself in case of a coronavirus outbreak in your location.
  • Listen to and watch the news to stay informed on Coronavirus cases around the world.

Wrapping Up

At OPS, we have educated our students on the Coronavirus outbreak. More than that, we ensure that students wash their hands with soap and water and use the hand sanitizer in between.

Finally, we may not have everything it takes to prevent this infection from getting into Nigeria or Ibadan at that.

But we believe that personal hygiene and the other actions in this post will go a long way in maintaining and promoting good health. Stay healthy and happy always!