Originally posted March 30, 2020
Updated April 6, 2020
While how to address a child’s uncertainties will depend on their age, understanding and current family situation, our child life specialists provided a few kid-friendly answers to some of the most common questions.
There is a new virus that is making people sick. The disease caused by the virus is called COVID-19, or you may have heard some people call it coronavirus. It can cause a fever and cough and make it hard to breathe. Most people only get a little bit sick, but other people, especially older people, may get sicker and need to go to the hospital to get extra care.
Staying at home helps keep you and other people safe. It helps keep germs from spreading to a lot of people. This is why schools, restaurants and other places are closed for now. By staying home, you do your part to protect yourself and other people.
This virus is making a lot of people sick, so doctors are saying it’s best to wear a mask when going out where a lot of people might be - like when we’re grocery shopping. The mask helps keep germs from getting into our nose and mouth. We won’t always have to wear a mask to the grocery store, but right now it’s important.
We can still interact with our friends and loved ones, it just might look a little different right now. We can be creative, like having video chats! Everyone is missing their friends, but we will be able to play together again once this sickness goes away.
Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU put together a big list of fun websites with activities like virtual field trips and games to keep us learning and moving.
We will go back to school as soon as it is safe!
There are lots of adults, like doctors, nurses and scientists, who are working very hard to keep everyone safe. It’s not your job to worry – It’s your job to keep being a kid!