Schools and Covid-19: What Parents Need to Know

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More than 900,000 children have returned to classrooms across Ireland, but education in times of pandemic is fraught with difficulties.

Several schools have already had to close or send students home due to Covid-19.

Meanwhile, the Irish Medical Organization has reported an increase in the number of children attending GPs to be evaluated for a possible Covid-19.

It is a confusing time for parents who value the importance of education but at the same time worry about deciding when to keep their children out of the classroom.

Here’s what you need to know …

When should I leave my child at home and not go to school?

Children should not attend school if they have symptoms of Covid-19 including:

  • Fever (high temperature – 38 ° C or higher)
  • Cough (can be any type of cough, not just dry)
  • Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
  • Loss or change of sense of smell or taste.

Symptoms can take up to 14 days to appear. They can be similar to cold and flu symptoms. Symptoms of the coronavirus span a wide range from mild to severe.

How can I tell the difference between coronavirus and other common ailments like a cold, flu, or hay fever?

A cold will rarely bring a fever or headache and does not cause shortness of breath, vomiting, or diarrhea. Sneezing indicates that your child has a cold.

The coronavirus and the flu share some common symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, aches and pains, sore throat and cough. Your GP will likely recommend a Covid-19 test if you have these symptoms.

Hay fever does not cause a high fever. The HSE has a checklist that can help parents further compare symptoms, you will find it here.

Can I send my child to school with a runny nose?

The president of the Irish College of General Practitioners, Mary Favier, has said that if a child catches a cold and sneezes, but is “otherwise fine” and does not have any symptoms of Covid-19, they can go to school.

Speaking at a recent NPHET informational meeting, Dr. Favier said: “If a child is doing well, they have no respiratory symptoms, no cough, but just constantly snort and sneeze as often as they can and should go to school.”

He said that for a child who has more than that, such as a temperature, a cough, or any of the symptoms that could suggest they have Covid-19, such as not being able to taste food, they should not go to school.

He also said parents should be a little more vigilant this school year.

Children should stay home until 48 hours after symptoms disappear. Waiting to see “how they go” during the day is no longer cool, he said.

What if my child is a close contact of someone who has coronavirus?

Public health teams and schools will inform parents if their child has been identified as a close contact for a possible or confirmed case of the disease.

If this happens, you should call your GP to arrange a Covid-19 test and restrict your movements for 14 days, even if they feel fine.

My child needs to be tested for Covid-19, what can we expect?

They may find going to a testing center a strange experience and feel scared when they see people in protective clothing.

The HSE has produced some great comics that will help reassure children who need to be tested. You can find them here.

Can my child return to school if he tests negative for the virus?

Your child can return to normal activities if they have been symptom-free for 48 hours and receive a negative test result or receive another diagnosis other than coronavirus.

Do all children and parents in a family have to stay home if one has a fever?

The Department of Education says that children, teachers and parents should not go to school if they or a member of their household is unwell with symptoms consistent with Covid-19.

If a family member has any common Covid-19 symptoms (including temperature), they should isolate themselves and call a doctor immediately.

Tell me more about self-isolation and when it’s needed.

Self-isolation means staying indoors and completely avoiding contact with other people. This includes other people in your household, as much as possible.

An adult or child must self-isolate for 14 days if they test positive for Covid-19. They should also be isolated if they show symptoms and await the results of a test or evaluation from a GP.

What can I do to help my child stay healthy?

Limiting transmission of the virus in the community is the best way to keep it out of schools, according to experts, including Professor Philip Nolan of the National Public Health Emergency Team.

In addition to following public health guidelines, such as regular hand washing, practicing physical distancing, and covering your face in crowded indoor settings, you should avoid congregating in groups outside of schools.

The HSE advises parents to walk or bike to school whenever possible. Do not share the car with people outside your family group. Children using public transport should try to stay six feet from others, and if they are over 13 years old, they should cover their faces.

The virus that causes Covid-19 survives longer on hard surfaces like lunch boxes and water bottles, so they need to be cleaned daily with regular household cleaning products.

Encourage your child to stay inside their classroom “bubble” or “capsule” during school holidays. Teachers can’t keep an eye on all students, so it’s good to remind them of the rules when you drop them off in the morning.

School uniforms or clothing should be washed regularly at 60 ° C, but it is not necessary to wash them daily unless they are visibly dirty or dirty.

Covid-19 is affecting my child’s mental health, what can I do?

Assure them that schools are fully focused on keeping students safe and sound. Teachers have received wellness toolkits from the Department of Education with guidelines on how to create a sense of calm and hope in the classroom.

They will use games and creative activities to help youth reconnect with existing friendships and make new ones.

Key messages in the classroom include
– school is a safe and fun place to be
– the teachers are there to help you
– We are all in this together
– we can feel hopeful about the future.

Parents can help children deal with their emotions in a number of ways.

This includes showing them how to recognize the first physiological signs of intense feelings (eg, heartbeat) and teaching them to rate their emotions on a scale of intensity (eg, from “ready to explode” to “feeling good” ) to help them develop more self-control.

Remember, if you are concerned that a member of your family is showing symptoms of Covid-19, call your GP immediately to book a test.



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