With over the half the population now vaccinated against COVID-19, it can be tempting to ‘just’ have someone round, give them a cuddle, not bother with a mask …
BUT the virus is still very much a threat. Just look at Harry and Izzy Judd who recently revealed they’d been following the rules and just last week tested positive for coronavirus, which they felt ‘rotten’ with.
And they’re not alone.
Luckily, with rumblings of a ‘normal’ summer on the cards, we’re not far off being able to live a more familiar life.
In the meantime, there are still a number of key things we all STILL need to do to keep our families safe …
1. Keep up the hand washing
We hear you, the sound of your kids singing Happy Birthday about 50 times EVERY DAY has killed the song forever. But the advice remains clear … keeping our hands clean is still one of THE best ways to keep ourselves, and others, safe.
‘COVID-19 can be spread directly by droplets from coughs, sneezes and speaking,’ reads current government advice. ‘These droplets can also be picked up from surfaces by touch and subsequently from touching the face.’
The advice is to wash hands for at least 20 seconds (aka Happy Birthday, twice) or use hand sanitiser if you’re on the go.
And to make it even more appealing for little ones, we’ve found these adorable, refillable hand sanitiser containers that can also be attached on their backpacks. They will LOVE carrying them around and you can find them at Amazon.
Granted, it can be a battle to get kids to befriend a soap bar at the best of times so read up on our expert advice and viral hacks for encouraging them to keep them clean.
2. Stay socially distanced (even though it sucks)
It’s heartbreaking if granny STILL hasn’t had a cuddle. But social distancing guidelines still stand for the timebeing. Again, it’s thought to be one of our best defences against the virus spreading.
So, in general, hands-on playdates and extended family/friends cuddles are off limits.
Although lockdown rules eased on 12 April, government advice still urges people to keep apart.
It says:
‘Social distancing is still very important. You should stay 2 metres apart from anyone who is not in your household or support bubble where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place (such as wearing face coverings) if you cannot stay 2 metres apart.’
3. Don’t go anywhere without face coverings
Face masks or face coverings are still a legal requirement on public transport (which includes taxis!), shops and indoor spaces such as hairdressers or when you pop to the loo in a pub or restaurant from your outdoor table.
You’ll also need them at COVID secure venues including schools (often a requirement for the school gates) and even watching your kids’ weekend football sessions. If the venue requires them, you’ll have to wear them for the foreseeable.
Secondary schools are still enforcing them, too.
Luckily there’s no plans to make them mandatory for kids under 11 anytime soon and recent headlines suggest we MAY be in for a summer without having to wear them at all. Bodes well for sun tans!
The good news is you can pick up some lovely washable face coverings online, if you don’t have time to sew your own in between childcare/work/endless hand washing! We love Etsy’s range of colourful masks for both adults and kids – see more details here.
4. Play it safe
Our kids might be at school with 30 other kids every day BUT don’t be tempted to host indoor playdates or sleepovers with their pals just yet.
Experts stress that the school environment is strictly monitored, with protective measures – such as ventilation, extra cleaning, face coverings and social distancing – in place. Homes are not as ‘safe’ an environment.
Find out the current playdate rules with what you can and can’t do right now, here.
5. Don’t share food
Picnics might be the sanity saver of parents everywhere now that we can meet up with one other household outdoors but bear in mind the government advice that you should ‘avoid sharing plates and utensils with people outside of your household or your support bubble.’
And … ‘you should try, wherever possible, not to pass each other food or drink unless you live together or are in a support bubble together.’
So yep, that means making your pals cuppas is out.
And when it comes to picnics, forget everything you were taught – and you’ve taught your kids – about sharing.
6. Have the vaccine when it’s your turn
As the vaccine roll-out makes amazing progress, it’ll soon be parents’ turns to have the vaccine (if you’ve not already had it). And with the news that just one dose of Pfizer’s or Astra Zeneca’s jab proven to cut transmission of the virus by half, it can’t come soon enough for us mums and dads.
COVID jabs are being offered to 44 year olds (and older) as we type, ‘with those over 40 likely to follow within days’, reported The Guardian at the start of this week.
Grandparents have stepped forward in their droves so the least we can do is have ours when it’s time. Getting vaccinated is one of the easiest and most effective ways to keep our families safe!
Don’t let any of these be a reason for not having it.
7. Keep it clean
At the start of last year we barely knew what Zoflora was … in 2021 we can’t stop talking about it!
And yes, getting your Mrs Hinch on and keeping surfaces clean is crucial as sneeze and cough droplets can sit on them with the potential to spread the virus. Nice.
‘Clean surfaces often. Pay particular attention to surfaces that are touched frequently, such as handles, light switches, work surfaces and electronic devices,’ reads official guidance.
It’s also advised that you wipe down any garden furniture used before and after the visit. Check out our 5 cleaning tips to keep COVID-19 out of your home.
8. Wash your clothes
Every parent’s favourite task: more washing. According to government guidance, there is some evidence that the virus can stay on fabrics for a few days.
So, if you’re going out of the house for work – or the kids are out at school – it’s a good idea to wash your/their clothes regularly.
If you work from home, there’s no need. Apart from the usual ‘it might be nice not to smell’ etiquette. But when on Zoom…
9. Avoid crowds
Who’d have thought you’re not the only ones desperate to take the kids to the beach on a sunny day?!
But seriously, avoiding crowds is a smart move because lots of people in close proximity = higher risk of spreading the virus.
All is not lost. If your chosen spot is packed out, try our rundown of 45 outdoor activities for kids in lockdown to have fun where the crowds aren’t.
As lockdown rules begin to ease, join in the chat with other parents in the thread below.
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