The outbreak of the novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) in Hong Kong is heating up, and the rise in cases of infection among young children is of particular concern. In particular, many young children have not yet been vaccinated and are in an unprotected state.
According to foreign experts, this does not mean that parents are completely powerless. Parents can also try their best to take measures to protect their children. Experts reminded that there are 4 ways to reduce the risk.
At present, in many parts of the world, children under the age of 5 have not yet been vaccinated. As for Hong Kong, the Hong Kong government has urgently lowered the minimum age for vaccination of Sinovac vaccine to 3 years old, and open appointments for vaccination, but there are also many vaccination centers. full problem.
Make sure those around you are vaccinated
According to Andi Shane, a professor at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta quoted by CNBC on January 21, although many young children cannot be vaccinated, parents can still do their best to protect them. The first is to ensure that everyone around them has been vaccinated and given a booster shot.
New Zealand news site Stuff also reported that Waikato medical officer Felicity Dumble said the best defense starts with other members of the family, which is vaccination.
In the case of an unborn fetus, pregnant women should also be vaccinated to increase the chance of the baby having antibodies after birth.
Further reading:
New Coronary Pneumonia | U.S. Study: Pregnant Women Vaccination Helps Prevent Infants From Hospitalization After Infection
Covid-19: A parent and child wait outside a vaccine centre in Hong Kong on February 16, 2022 (Getty)
The second measure is "good personal hygiene" that the society has been advocating. Although it is a commonplace, parents should not relax in order to reduce the risk of infection of their children. Dumbler pointed out that to maintain hygiene, wash your hands frequently, and wash your hands when sneezing or coughing. Use paper towels, and dispose of them well when you discard them later, etc.
The third is to limit children's activities outside the house, wear masks and maintain social distance from others.
Not being able to do what you want to do for a few months is really a challenge, but it has to be done for a short period of time until the general public is vaccinated and boosted, Shane said.
New Zealand's Chief Nursing Officer Jane O'Malley said if meeting friends or relatives, parents should also make sure they don't have a cold, loss of taste or smell, or fever.
Covid-19 vaccine: Pictured is a child vaccinated in Sao Paulo, Brazil, January 17, 2022 (Getty)
Fourth, pay attention to indoor ventilation.
New Zealand's Chief Nursing Officer Jane O'Malley recommends maintaining good ventilation in the home, such as opening windows, saying "opening a window for about 15 minutes can ventilate a medium-sized room".
Although the residential environment in Hong Kong is different from that of foreign countries, we must also pay attention to the location of the window. Xu Shuchang, an expert consultant to the Hong Kong government and a chair professor of the Department of Respiratory System of CUHK, suggested when he attended a radio program on the 12th that people should try not to open the window to the patio at home, but they need to be opened. Windows to the outside, in the direction of air circulation.
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