With summer getting closer and summer camp starting soon, we thought it would be a good idea to send out a friendly reminder that COVID-19 is still prevalent and safety precautions should be taken regardless of your COVID-19 vaccination status.
While we do not require vaccinations to be enrolled in our school, we do want to encourage families to do what is best for them and their health. The vaccine has shown to be at least effective at keeping severe COVID-19 symptoms at bay and might be an excellent choice for your family. However, if you choose to forego the vaccine, we want you to remain safe.
Unvaccinated Families
For families who choose to be unvaccinated, extra precautions will be necessary. No one wants their families to get sick, but the vaccines can be a bit scary too. The newness of the vaccines can make families apprehensive, and we get it. The lack of full approval can also be unnerving. Other families may just wish not to vaccinate for a multitude of other reasons. Whatever the reason, increased protections will be necessary.
Masks
Masks are a great way to protect yourself and your family from transmission. As with any porous cloth, masks are not 100% effective but wearing masks reduces the risk of transmission of COVID particles into the air. The virus is primarily transmitted through airborne vapor. Masks stop much of this vapor from escaping into the air or reaching your mouth and nose.
Handwashing
Just as with other illnesses, proper handwashing will help reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure. If you come in contact with particles on surfaces, you could be contaminated. However, with proper handwashing, you can avoid much of the risk of infection. Like masks, handwashing isn’t 100% effective, but combining the two reduces risk of infection even more.
Social Distancing
Staying more than six feet from others can also reduce the risk of transmission. The risk is further reduced if practiced along with all of the above suggestions. However, they are not the only thing that will help.
Vaccinated Families
While your family may have chosen to have the COVID-19 vaccination, they are not 100% effective against the virus. Their efficacy rates are nearly 100%, but you can still catch the virus.
Follow Protocols Set Forth by Your Local Government
Local and state government officials follow the recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control CDC and the changes in virus infection numbers. You should listen to those recommendations to keep your family safe. While you can generally go mask-free and decrease distance, you will want to continue wearing a mask if you suspect you have been exposed or have symptoms.
Both Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Families
Some precautions are suitable for families regardless of their COVID-19 vaccination status. The first thing you need is a good functioning immune system. You also need good habits and judgment to avoid exposure.
Excellent Nutrition
No, eating a salad and lean protein will not prevent you from contracting COVID-19, but it can help your body remain strong in the case you find yourself fighting the infection. You should be sure that even if you need to quarantine due to exposure, you are eating healthy meals and exercising when possible. You will build a stronger immune system by keeping up with healthy habits. If you have not been following healthy habits, you can begin today by working to become healthier. Check out our Pinterest where we share healthy and organic child friendly meal ideas!
Evaluate Sources
When choosing what to do for your family, evaluate sources for reliability. One of the things that children learn as part of their education is how to evaluate sources. As an educational facility, we would be remiss not to urge our families to also be critical of all sources. These vaccines have been approved quickly through emergency approvals. We know that can seem unreliable. If you are unsure about what to do, you should consult medical professionals and reliable scientific data. It’s okay to ultimately choose to get the vaccine or wait for more details. It’s also okay to trust the professionals but also trust your intuition. Whatever you do, be confident in the decision and be safe.
Exercise
In addition to diet, exercise is critical to fighting any infection. Since the illness is primarily respiratory, it can help greatly if your respiratory system is operating optimally. Daily exercise does not have to be incredibly strenuous, but it should be strenuous enough to build lung strength.
Disinfect Surfaces
Be sure that your cleaning routine is more rigorous than before. While household cleaners may not remove all traces of the virus, it can only live a short time on surfaces. Consider cleaning objects when they enter your home if you aren’t sure about who has handled them. Your packages and mail are at low risk, though. If your postal worker or package handler seems to be showing signs, you should have them drop them on the porch or by the door and wait a few hours. You can wipe them with disinfecting wipes if you want. Plastic can host the virus for several days, but you will not likely contract the virus from a plastic box.
Parents & Guardians, Consider Quitting Smoking Nicotine
Patients who smoke are at higher risk for complications from any respiratory infection. Quitting smoking will extend your life even if you do not get infected with COVID-19. Following healthy lifestyle choices will help your body be more prepared to fight infections of all kinds.
Final Thoughts
We want your family to remain safe no matter what they choose. You should be confident in your decisions, and we will support whatever you decide. As a school, we will practice safety precautions, but although we aren’t requiring vaccinations, we do feel the virus should be taken seriously. No prevention method is perfect, but by combining these suggestions may help your family remain healthy.
This article should not be taken as medical advice, simply a few helpful suggestions based on guidance from the CDC. If you are unvaccinated and seeking guidance, visit the CDC website for more information.
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Welcome to Quantum Montessori! We’re home to Mae the black bear and her three cubs.
All Rights Reserved. Creative works may or may not be Quantum’s current personnel or students.
If you have any questions or comments that you would like to share with us, please feel free to reach out to us directly.
Welcome to Quantum Montessori! We’re home to Mae the black bear and her three cubs.
All Rights Reserved. Creative works may or may not be Quantum’s current personnel or students.
