Is it safe for your children to play outside? Here’s what officials say
Just because children are home from school doesn’t mean they have to stay inside, officials said.
Because of the potential spread of coronavirus, people should avoid contact sports, but not all outdoor activities, said spokeswoman Laura Renwick. of the state Department of Health and Environmental Control.
“Outdoor activities are a safe part of social distancing practices, but contact sports should be avoided while social distancing recommendations are in effect,” Renwick said in a statement.
Social distancing means increasing the space — preferably to six feet —between people to slow the spread of the infection, according to the New York Times. Social distancing measures include canceling school, working from home and canceling events.
Some sports, such as football, wrestling and rugby, are clearly considered contact sports, while sports like basketball and soccer are have less, but still considerable, contact. Other sports, such as tennis, baseball, softball, golf, bowling and gymnastics, are not considered contact sports.
“Parents should also assess their children for signs of illness before sending them out, and teach good practice of other safety measures including hand washing before and after going out and covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or their elbow,” Renwick said.
One way to let kids play outside while also minimizing the chance of exposure to coronavirus is to limit the gatherings to small groups of no more than just a few people, according to Seattle NPR affiliate KUOW.
Parents should not hold those gatherings of kids in public places, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
For kids who are playing outside, it is smart to avoid playground equipment, public water fountains and public restrooms if possible, according to an article in People Magazine.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
The coronavirus is spreading in the United States. Officials are urging people to take precautions to avoid getting sick, and to avoid spreading the disease if they do contract it.
Click the drop-down icon on this card for more on the virus and what you should do to keep yourself and those around you healthy.
What is coronavirus?
Coronavirus is an infection of the respiratory system similar to the flu. Coronaviruses are a class of viruses that regularly cause illnesses among adults and children, but this outbreak has spawned a new disease called COVID-19, a particularly harsh respiratory condition that can lead to death.
Health officials believe COVID-19 spread from animals to humans somewhere in China. It spreads among humans by physical person-to-person contact, including via coughs. That’s why health officials urge sick individuals to avoid contact with other people.
For more information, visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are similar to the flu and include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
How can I stop the spread of the coronavirus?
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
If you develop symptoms similar to the coronavirus, you should seek medical attention. Stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others. It can take up to 14 days after coming into contact with the virus to develop symptoms.
COVID-19 is a new condition and there’s much about the disease we still don’t understand. For now, taking precautions is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus.