Talking COVID with Kids...

It seems to me that there has been so much focus on the effects on adults and the elderly, which is understandable considering the age demographic of who are most at risk, but how many of us are checking in with the children to see how they feel about the pandemic?

I know prioritising cleanliness and personal hygiene has become especially important for my own children since this all began. Coughing or sneezing into the inner part of their arms, intermittent sanitising throughout the day, and keeping 1.5 metres apart when in shops; they have even asked me “Mum, is everyone going to die from the Coronavirus?” Who knows what goes through their head, considering every single report we see about the virus is focused on deaths and not being able to see loved ones in hospital. It must be so frightening for them, and I just hope that those of us with young families take the time to consider their feelings.

I did a quick survey on some children aged between 5 and 11 to see what they know about the Coronavirus.

Do you know what the Coronavirus is?

Alice – It is a germ

Flynn – It makes people die.

Stella – It is a sickness

Riley D – It’s spreading and getting worse because people are being selfish if they are getting sick. It’s like the ‘flu but it’s getting worse.

Tommy – It is a germ that is all over the world.

Charlie – It is very dangerous and makes people very sick.

Lincoln – A virus that people made and people say China made it. Scientists are trying to make a cure for it.

Islah – It’s a lot of germs and sickness.

Hunter – A disease.

Eve – It is a disease.

Who can get sick from the Coronavirus?

Alice – Old people and people.

Flynn – Over 12’s.

Stella – Other people, not just you.

Riley D – Older people, babies when they are born.

Tommy – Some people can, some people can’t.

Charlie – I think everyone can get it.

Lincoln – Everyone can.

Islah – Your family, your brother and sisters can.

Hunter – Everyone.

Eve – Anybody.

What can we do to keep us safe?

Alice – Stay home, wear a mask, wash our hands, use sanitiser and social distancing.

Flynn – Wear a mask, stay at home.

Stella – Stay home, wash our hands, social distance.

 Riley D – If you are going anywhere, keep washing hands and sanitising. Stay inside.

Tommy – Gloves and masks.

Charlie – Stay home.

Lincoln – Follow social distancing and put masks on and hand sanitising.

Islah – Wash our hands for 20 seconds and sanitise our hands.

Hunter – Stay in isolation.

Eve – Wash your hands and sanitise.

Thank you to Amanda Bradford and the students at Koondrook Primary School for their assistance.