Covid-19: Keep children away from the ‘3 Cs’

The government reopened schools and colleges after 18 months, instructing authorities to strictly maintain health rules. The government is supposed to monitor whether the educational institutions are ensuring health guidelines.

 But are students sufficiently prepared to maintain those?

Although elderly people are at greatest risk, children are not immune to Covid-19.

Recent evidence suggests that children likely have similar viral loads in their nasopharynx and can spread the virus to others.

Like adults, pre-existing medical conditions have been suggested as risk factors for Covid-19 in children.

The risk of Covid-19 infection from schools can be reduced if the "three Cs" -- crowded places, close-contact settings and confined spaces with poor ventilation -- are avoided.

Apart from these "three Cs", washing hands frequently and wearing masks are part of the comprehensive strategy to suppress transmission.

It is not certain how long the Covid-19 virus survives on surfaces. Its survival time depends on a number of factors, including the type of surface, temperature, relative humidity and specific strain of the virus.

Children may become infected if they touch surfaces contaminated by the virus and touch their eyes, nose or mouth without washing their hands.

There is currently no evidence that people can get Covid-19 from foods and water. But before handling food, children must wash hands with soap or disinfect with sanitisers properly.

Children must also wash their hands before they put on masks. The mask must cover the nose, mouth and chin.

After returning from school, the mask should be washed every day if it is a fabric one or disposed of if it's a surgical one. They should not use masks with valves.

To ensure students' safety, the roles of parents and teachers are very important.

Until children are vaccinated, prevention is the key to protect them from Covid-19.

Dr Rukhsana Parvin is Assistant Professor of Department of Pediatrics, Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College.