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Families/Kids

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If someone in my household has COVID-19, what are the chances I get it, too?



Families/Kids Infection and Spread

A: About 50% (with all the usual caveats about averages and estimates). Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among household members is common, from both children and adults. Prompt isolation of cases is crucial, and all household members should wear masks in shared household spaces. While we all worry a lot about exposure to COVID-19 at large events, Read more…

My husband is working at a place where everyone wears masks. I am higher risk & retired… Should he be sleeping in a separate room from me?

Families/Kids Infection and Spread Staying Safe

A: When bed partners have varying degrees of risk of exposure and vulnerability to the disease, it’s worth discussing sleeping in separate spaces. The Nerdy Girls call this COVID Bed Spread. Here are some benefits to sleeping apart from other household members: 1.) REDUCED RISK OF VIRAL EXPOSURE (in both directions). Spending six or more Read more…

How do I break it to my mother-in-law that we’re not coming to Christmas dinner? 😬😬😬

Families/Kids Mental Health Socializing Travel

A: Here’s the bottom line: you are not in control of other people’s thoughts, feelings, or actions. You can only control your own thoughts, feelings, and actions. And you do not have to sacrifice your comfort to make someone else happy. Be firm, be brief, focus on your own decisions rather than hers, and don’t Read more…

Q from Ellen from NYC: What do we do when college-age children come home at Thanksgiving? Should they come home?

Families/Kids Staying Safe Travel

A: “Come Home and Stay Home” or “Don’t Come Home” are your best options. Coming home just for the Thanksgiving holiday and then returning to campus is *not* a good plan. Thanks to Ellen for voicing a common concern. Back in August, the big question for college kids was how they could return to campus Read more…

Dear Pandemic COVID Q&A

Families/Kids Infection and Spread Socializing Staying Safe Videos

Dr. Simanek and Dr. Jones tackle follower questions in this not-quite-live Q&A session. We’re taking questions from Wisconsites about voting (:45), safety of hair salons (4:06), holding COVID safe funerals and other gatherings (10:32), close contacts vs. not close contacts (15:45), celebrating homecoming and other outdoor fall gatherings and events (25:01), and disease transmission patterns Read more…

How to have a SMART Halloween

Families/Kids Staying Safe

S. Space: keep your distance from other people. M. Mask: wear a mask! A. Air: take the fun outdoors. R. Restrict: Avoid crowds (especially indoor crowds)! Don’t expand your COVID bubble on Halloween. T. Time: Keep your interactions short & sweet. We have updated our SMART graphic for the holiday. Feel free to pass this Read more…

Are you concerned about your kids spending too much time on screens?

Families/Kids Mental Health School

Dear Pandemic is thrilled to introduce this week’s Nerdy Guest, Dr. Pamela Hurst-Della Pietra. She is President and founder of Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development. Using her medical degree, non-profit experience, philanthropic resources, and a long-standing interest in media and children, Dr. Hurst-Della Pietra has become one of the field’s Read more…