Essential Tips for Back-to-School Safety

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The new school year is fast approaching! This means that as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, and with several other infectious diseases on the rise, including money pox, students will need to be much more vigilant as they return to the classroom this September.

To prepare you ahead of September, we have compiled a few health tips which can help you and your children stay safe.

Wearing face masks

Consistently and correctly wearing a well-fitting mask indoors can limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus. If your child wears a face mask in school, consider these tips:

Have your child wear the most protective mask possible that fits well and is comfortable.
Provide your child with a clean mask and a backup mask each day. Consider giving your child a clean, resealable bag to store the mask during lunch.
Label your child’s mask so it’s not confused with other children’s masks. Tell your child to never wear another child’s used mask.

Safe distancing

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that schools maintain a physical distance of at least three feet (about one metre) between students in classrooms. When this isn’t possible, other prevention strategies become more important. Therefore, also encourage your child to cover their mouths and noses with an elbow or a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Children also should avoid touching their eyes, noses and mouths.

Handwashing

Schools and parents should encourage students to frequently wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. To ensure thorough hand washing, children can be taught to keep washing their hands until they have sung the entire “Happy Birthday” song twice (about 20 seconds).

Stay home when sick and getting tested

Students who have symptoms of an infectious illness should stay home from school and get tested for COVID-19. Everyone with COVID-19 should stay home and isolate from others for at least five full days. School policies vary regarding when a child can return to school after having COVID-19.