With the nonstop news coverage, it’s easy to think that coronavirus symptoms are an emergency. It is, however, important not to run to the ER at the first sign of fever. Instead, call your doctor or use our telehealth program if your child has:

• a fever
• a cough
• fast breathing or shortness of breath
• signs of dehydration, such as not peeing for 8-12 hours, no tears when crying, or being less active than usual

Our telehealth team will help you know if you can care for your child at home or if you need to go to the doctor’s office or the ER.

 

Go to the ER if your child:

• has breathing problems. Look for muscles pulling in between the ribs or the nose puffing out with each breath
• is confused or very sleepy

Healthy children do not appear to be at higher risk of getting COVID-19.

 

While your children are out of school please note these tips:

• • Limit their social interactions. Remember, if children meet outside of school in groups, it can put everyone at risk. Let’s all do our part to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently used spaces in your home often.
  • Have everyone wash their hands often. This is a great chance to practice the alphabet! 
  • The transition to being at home will be different for preschoolers, K-5, middle school students, and high school students. Talk to your child about expectations and how they are adjusting to being at home versus at school.
  • Check with your school on plans to continue meal services during the school dismissal. Many schools are keeping school facilities open to allow families to pick up meals or are providing grab-and-go meals at a central location.
  • Watch for signs of stress in your child. Some common changes to watch for include excessive worry or sadness, unhealthy eating or sleeping habits, and difficulty with attention and concentration.
  • Create a schedule and routine for learning at home, but remain flexible. Keep your consistent bedtimes and get up at the same time, Monday through Friday, structure the day for learning, free time, healthy meals, and physical activity, and allow flexibility in the schedule—it’s okay to adapt based on your day!

The outbreak of COVID-19 is stressful for many people. Fear and anxiety about a virus can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults, children, and teenagers. Coping with stress positively will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger.

People who may respond more negatively to the stress of a crisis include:

• • Older people & those with chronic diseases who are at higher risk for COVID-19
  • Children and teenagers
  • People who are helping with the response, like doctors and other health care providers, or first responders
  • People who have Mental Health conditions including problems with substance abuse

Stress during an infectious disease outbreak can include:

• • Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones
  • Changes in sleep or eating patterns
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Worsening of your chronic health problems
  • Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs

Here are some things you can do to positively support yourself: 

• • Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories about the pandemic, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
  • Make time to unwind and try to do activities you really enjoy (walking, cooking, reading, etc.)
  • Connect with others via talk, text, or video chat to talk about your concerns and how you’re feeling

If you or someone you care about is feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or if you or someone you know feels like you want to harm yourself or others call or Call: 1-208-398-4357

— Dr. Andrew Baron

Unfortunately, there is not a vaccine for COVID-19 yet. Here are some ways you can help protect others during this time:

• First, you should learn what to do if you’re sick.
  • Stay home if you’re sick, except to get medical care.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow.
  • Throw used tissues in the trash right away.
  • Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Wear a facemask if you’re sick around other people (like if you’ve shared a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office.
  • If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes and encourage people who are caring for you to wear a facemask.
  • Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.

Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers and those at high risk.

— Dr. Andrew Baron

New Years’ is an exciting time to start fresh with a clean slate and a clear head. The concept makes sense, especially if you envision January at the top of a 2020 calendar with 2019 out of sight and out of mind. Supposedly, 60% of Americans feed into this same theme around the New Years’ holiday, around which time they set out to create and execute a list of resolutions. But how many people walk away from this feat feeling accomplished? Statistics show only about 8% of people achieve their resolutions.

 Why is this, and how does this relate to diet? As dietitians, we see and hear this a lot, no matter the time of year. People often set out to eat healthier, snack less, or cut out a specific food/food group, often overnight (such as the night of NYE) and vow to practice that resolution “forever”. The problem with resolutions and plans for permanent “clean eating” is that at the first sign of a slip-up – eating a treat you promised yourself you wouldn’t, failing to eat a salad for lunch, or going out to eat and indulging in something you know isn’t healthy – people experience an insurmountable wave of guilt that (most often) causes a subsequent binge on the previously forbidden food or other foods that are not a part of a generally-recognized healthful diet. It’s human nature. It’s the mindset of “welp, I already cheated so I might as well get my fix of this sweet/carb/snack before I cut them out completely tomorrow .” And the cycle continues.

This year instead set you up for success! To do this, trade in the list of resolutions for specific, measurable, attainable goals. The difference between a resolution and a goal is often the “measurable” aspect. Rather than resolving to “eat healthier” in 2020, make it a goal to pack a healthy lunch 4 days a week for each week in January. Another goal might be to go for a 30-minute walk outside 3 times a week or go to the gym 2 times a week in February.

 Another way to improve your chances of success this year is to focus on one goal per month. Writing out a list of ten things that you want to do better starting in January only sets a person up for failure; that’s too many habit changes to keep track of for 52 weeks straight. Rather, choose between 4-12 healthy, measurable goals and set out to focus on one at a time, assigning one goal per month for as many months as you choose in 2020. Trust me, you’ll end each month feeling like a champion if you’re able to conquer one new habit for even most of the month.

 

Here are a few goals we recommend in the new year, and beyond:

January: Get 8 hours of sleep, 5 out of 7 nights a week

February: Lift at the gym 3 days per week, cardio 2x per week

March: Complete weekly meal prep all 4 Sundays of the month

April: Train weekly to achieve 10 unassisted pull-ups by the end of the month

May: Practice “Meatless Monday” all 4 Mondays of the month

 June: Hike at least 40 miles between scheduled backpacking trips this month