Advocare Long Logo

Broomall Pediatric Associates PA

Coronavirus Guidelines

We know that there are a lot of questions surrounding Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). It’s important that you keep your children calm and give them age appropriate information to help them stay healthy. We advise wearing a mask when out in public, getting plenty of sleep/rest, regular washing of hands and social distancing. Hopefully you will gain some insight here on what we feel is important to know and how best to protect you and your family. 
Click on the title above for more information... 
When people are sick with a respiratory disease like COVID-19, they cough or sneeze particles into the air. If someone is coughing near you, the virus could easily land on your eyes, nose, or mouth. These particles travel only about six feet and fall out of the air rather quickly. However, they do land on surfaces that you touch all the time, such as railings, doorknobs, or elevator buttons. Wiping down surfaces or using a tissue to open a door will help to limit your exposure. Use your knuckle or an elbow when possible and avoid shaking someone’s hands. Wearing a mask when out, as well as social distancing (staying at least 6 feet away from anyone not in your household) will help prevent the spread and transmission of this virus. 
 
We cannot stress this enough: Proper handwashing is the best thing you can do to protect yourself from a number of diseases, including COVID-19. You should wash your hands for at least 20 seconds and a good time gauge is singing Happy Birthday twice. Make sure that you scrub your hands, including your fingertips, as often as you can. While handwashing is preferred, hand sanitizers with at least a 60% alcohol concentration can be an effective alternative to always using soap and water, but only if your hands are not visibly soiled.

The types of disruptions that you should prepare for are small disruptions to your day-to-day life. As a general preparedness step, you should have a three-day supply of food and water in case of emergencies, just like preparing for a snowstorm.
 
You also should plan for how to handle issues like temporary school or daycare closures. You don’t need to prepare anything extreme; a little common-sense preparation will go a long way to make your life easier if you or your loved ones become sick.
We are encouraging our patients to stay away from unofficial websites that tend to panic people unnecessarily. You should get your information from a reputable source, such as the Pennsylvania Department of Health, your local health department website, or The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who advise:
  • Wear a mask when out in public. Let children decorate or personalize their masks to help them normalize the experience. 
  • Take everyday preventive actions to stay healthy, (plenty of rest, good diet).
  • Avoid close contact with people outside of your immediate household.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
If you are feeling ill or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, please call our office for guidance. We are available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
 

What Should We Do at Home?

To protect others at home, someone who is sick should:

  • As much as possible, keep away from other people and pets in your home.
  • Wear a mask if they must be around other people. Masks shouldn't be worn by kids younger than 2 years old. For more about masks, check the CDC's guide.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, throw the tissue away, and then wash their hands right away. Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • If possible, stay in a bedroom and use a bathroom separate from other people in the home.
  • Use separate dishes, glasses, cups, and eating utensils and not share these with other household members. After use, run them through the dishwasher or wash with very hot soapy water.
  • Use separate bedding and towels and do not share these with other household members. 

Also:

  • If the person who is sick can't wear a mask, caregivers should wear one while they're in the same room.
  • Make sure shared spaces in the home have good air flow. You can open a window or turn on an air filter or air conditioner.
  • Do not allow visitors into your home. This includes children and adults.
  • All household members should wash their hands well and often. Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Wash the sick person's clothing, bedding, and towels with detergent on the hottest temperature possible. Wear gloves when handling their laundry, if possible. Wash your hands well after handling the laundry (even if you wore gloves).
  • Every day, use a household cleaner or wipe to clean things that get touched a lot. These include doorknobs, light switches, toys, remote controls, sink handles, counters, and phones. Keep a sick child's toys separate from other toys, if possible.

To protect others in your community:

  • The person who is sick should stay home unless they need medical care. This is called isolation.
  • Other household members also should stay home. This is called quarantine.

Follow instructions from your doctor, local health care department, or the CDC about who should stay home and for how long.

When Should I Call the Doctor?

If the person you're caring for seems to be getting sicker, call your doctor right away. Tell the doctor about their symptoms and whether they've been tested for COVID-19.

If they need to go to the doctor:

  • The person should wear a mask.
  • Keep tissues handy in case they need to cough or sneeze.

Go to the emergency room or call 911 if the person has trouble breathing, is confused, or is very drowsy.

What Else Should I Know?

If you're caring for someone who has COVID-19 or who has symptoms, keep taking these precautions until your doctor or local health department say it's safe to stop doing so. Also tell other people who may have been in close contact with the person who is infected. They can speak with their doctor or local health department about getting tested or quarantining.

Check the CDC and World Health Organization (WHO) websites for up-to-date, reliable information about coronavirus.

Reviewed by: Jonathan M. Miller, MD and Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, MD
Date reviewed: April 2021
Share by: