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As the number of new cases of coronavirus infection continue to rise the impact is now being felt in schools in Australia. At least\u00a0four closed<\/a>\u00a0due to students and a staff member testing positive for the virus. Most international travel by Queensland students is also\u00a0banned<\/a>.<\/p>\n It\u2019s therefore important for parents to be there for their children to ease any concerns they may have about the virus and how it could affect them.<\/p>\n One thing to note is the number of reported infection cases in children\u00a0remains low<\/a>: of more than 44,000 confirmed cases from China, only 416 (less than 1%) were aged nine years or younger. No deaths were reported in this age group.<\/p>\n Children are either being infected less or exhibit milder symptoms, but they may still play an\u00a0important role in transmitting the virus<\/a>.<\/p>\n So here\u2019s some advice for parents to help them and their children stay informed.<\/p>\n The new\u00a0coronavirus<\/a>\u00a0SARS-CoV-2 causes the disease COVID-19, which can be like a common cold but it can also have more serious complications. Signs of\u00a0infection may include<\/a>: fever, cough and shortness of breath. More\u00a0severe cases<\/a>\u00a0can involve pneumonia, kidney failure and even death.<\/p>\n The spread of SARS-CoV-2 has not yet been declared a pandemic but the Australian government has said it\u2019s\u00a0operating on the basis<\/a>\u00a0that it has.<\/p>\n One reason people experience anxiety during a pandemic is uncertainty about its impact.\u00a0Research<\/a>\u00a0during the 2009 swine flu (H1N1) pandemic found those people who struggled with uncertainty were more likely to see the pandemic as threatening, and this can lead to\u00a0increased levels of anxiety<\/a>.<\/p>\n One way to provide our children with certainty in uncertain times is with facts, for example, telling them the evidence so far shows children are less likely to experience severe symptoms than older adults.<\/p>\n You can also help them gain a sense of control by giving them strategies to help prevent them catching the virus.<\/p>\n The World Health Organisation (WHO<\/a>) says we should channel our concern into good hygiene.<\/p>\n Encourage your children to\u00a0wash their hands<\/a>\u00a0with soap and water frequently (particularly after going to the toilet, coming from a public place, and before and after eating).<\/p>\n Children should also use a tissue to sneeze into and put the tissue in the bin afterwards.<\/p>\n1. Control during uncertainty<\/strong><\/h4>\n
2. Practise good hygiene<\/strong><\/h4>\n