{"id":3282,"date":"2020-09-25T12:09:05","date_gmt":"2020-09-25T19:09:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kpthrivingfamilies.org\/pediatricsblog\/?p=3282"},"modified":"2023-08-09T02:27:56","modified_gmt":"2023-08-09T09:27:56","slug":"our-kids-masked-superheroes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kpthrivingfamilies.org\/pediatricsblog\/our-kids-masked-superheroes\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Kids: Masked Superheroes!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The other day as I entered my exam room to see a young child, I heard him asking his mother:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhy do I have to wear this mask, mom? I don\u2019t want to!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Once again, I reflected on how COVID-19 has brought parents and kids so many challenges, and how hard they can be to navigate. From supervising their schooling at home, to explaining why they can\u2019t have playdates, to giving constant handwashing \u2013 reminders can be tiresome.<\/p>\n<p>And then we add a new struggle: getting kids to wear a mask. In California, there\u2019s a statewide health order that children age 2 and older should wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth when they go out and are around others. (Kids under 2 shouldn\u2019t wear a mask because of the risk of suffocation.)<\/p>\n<p>When it comes to preventing the spread of COVID-19, the facts are very clear:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Masks reduce spread of the virus by blocking droplets in the air from breathing, coughing, or sneezing. People who don\u2019t have symptoms can still be spreading the virus to others by not wearing a mask.<\/li>\n<li>Masks work well to protect those who wear them too, according to the latest evidence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For all ages, the best ways to avoid getting or spreading COVID-19 are to stay at home when you can, wash hands often, keep a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthychildren.org\/English\/health-issues\/conditions\/chest-lungs\/Pages\/Social-Distancing-Why-Keeping-Your-Distance-Helps-Keep-Others-Safe.aspx\">physical distance<\/a> of at least 6 feet, and wear a mask when you\u2019re out.<\/p>\n<p>Fortunately, COVID-19 symptoms are generally milder in children \u2013 and most kids who get the virus tend to do very well. But if they\u2019re infected, they can spread the virus to people in their family and in the community, whether they feel sick or not. And those people may get a more severe, or even deadly case. That\u2019s why it\u2019s so important for kids to wear a mask when they\u2019re out of the house or near others.<\/p>\n<p>We know it can be tough to get kids to wear their masks. Here are some tips that can help:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Let them choose a mask they like.<\/li>\n<li>Make your own masks together. Masks made from multiple layers of pleated fabric work really well to control virus spread.<\/li>\n<li>Have them decorate their masks.<\/li>\n<li>Practice wearing the mask at home, in front of a mirror and while playing dress up.<\/li>\n<li>If your child has a hard time with one mask, try a different style or fabric until they find one that\u2019s more comfortable.<\/li>\n<li>Praise them every time they wear their mask without a fuss.<\/li>\n<li>Put a mask on their favorite stuffed animal.<\/li>\n<li>Point out other kids who are wearing masks.<\/li>\n<li>Draw masks on characters in coloring books.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Most importantly \u2013 be a role model by wearing your own mask!<\/p>\n<p>Choosing the right mask is important. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a terrific resource called <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/coronavirus\/2019-ncov\/prevent-getting-sick\/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html\">Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19<\/a> that can help you. For kids \u2013 an important detail is to be sure the mask fits well.<\/p>\n<p>The mom in my exam room went on to explain to her son about germs we can\u2019t see but can spread, even if we don\u2019t feel sick. So that\u2019s why wearing a mask is such an important way to protect those around us. She wisely added:<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cSuperheroes wear masks to protect the people they care about \u2013 so put on your mask and you can be a superhero too!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The other day as I entered my exam room to see a young child, I heard him asking his mother: \u201cWhy do I have to wear this mask, mom? I don\u2019t want to!\u201d We know it can be tough to get kids to wear their masks. Here are some tips that can help:<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":3286,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[106],"tags":[566,579],"class_list":["post-3282","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-issues","tag-covid-19","tag-wearing-a-mask","ages-grade-school","ages-preschool","ages-toddler"],"metadata":{"_edit_lock":["1691573276:8"],"_edit_last":["8"],"slide_template":[""],"video_format_choose":["youtube"],"_custom_body_class":[""],"_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":["%%excerpt%% The other day as I entered my exam room to see a young child, I heard him asking his mother:\u201cWhy do I have to wear this mask, mom? I don\u2019t want to!\u201d We know it can be tough to get kids to wear their masks. 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