There’s truly no one-size-fits-all solution for families navigating our new normal amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. While one family can’t wait to stuff the pool floats in the car and head to the pool, another frets that their very young children will touch every surface possible with their hands while in public spaces.
Finding a comfort level that’s right for your family as sports, stores and public areas open can be stressful and unnerving. That’s why Akron Children’s is putting together a 5-part blog series to help families figure out what’s right — and not right — for them. After all, we’re in this together.
Watch part 3: Establishing your “family” circle
Featuring: Dr. P. Cooper White, director of the Locust Pediatric Care Group at Akron Children’s Hospital
As things open up, you’re going to have to make decisions about how big to make your family circle.
I can use my own family as an example. I live with my wife. It’s just the two of us, and so that’s the tightest circle that you can imagine in this situation. But, I go to work, so there is some exposure there.
We have my mother-in-law, who is 93 years old and lives on the West Side of Cleveland. We’ve included her as a contact in our circle. We have to be very careful because she’s very elderly. I also have a daughter in Columbus, and she lives with her husband and a 1-year-old baby. We’ve had contact with them, so they’re a part of our circle.
One issue that has been talked about lately is if you’re in a family with children — and you’re going crazy this summer because children are alone at home without many activities — whether to include another family in your circle of friends or your pod, if you will.
This can be done very carefully and thoughtfully. It should involve close discussions with perhaps that neighbor or another family that you know about expectations and safety measures. Adding them to your circle after a period of a couple of weeks of isolation and quarantine would be safer. But either way, it has to be done in a safe fashion.
Social distancing, hand hygiene and wearing of masks have become a part of our life and that will remain very, very important in all of our activities in the coming weeks. Do not let up on those types of safety measures, no matter how wide you choose to make your circle or how active you choose to be involved with other people during the summertime.
To schedule your child’s wellness checkup, call our appointment center at 330-543-2778.
Editor’s note: Read parts 1 and 2 in this series.
