Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, parents have not only had to worry about keeping themselves safe, but they’ve also had to figure out the best ways to protect their children. That’s a tall task, especially when over 21% of the U.S. population is under the age of 18. Luckily, many of these children are now eligible to receive the vaccine, but there are still 23 million children under the age of 5 who are not yet eligible.

Even when vaccinated, there are still many risks, especially with the highly-transmissible Omicron variant. In this article, we’ll explain some of the best ways to keep your children safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Children and COVID: Ways to Keep Kids Safe

• Get Them Vaccinated (When Possible) - Currently, children age 5 and older can receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. If they are eligible, getting your child vaccinated is the best thing you can do to keep them protected from COVID. Pfizer is also preparing to ask the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve its COVID vaccine for infants and children under 5, so all kids may be eligible for the vaccine soon.
• Teach Them the Best Health and Safety Practices - With schools and workplaces reopening, you won’t always be around your children to make sure they are staying safe. That’s why it’s crucial to teach them the best health and safety practices, like always wearing a mask indoors, practicing social distancing, properly washing their hands, and using hand sanitizer.
• Take Part in COVID-Safe Activities for Kids - Throughout the pandemic, it’s been difficult to determine exactly what you can safely do with your kids. It’s still important to be cautious, so consider doing as much outdoors as possible. Go for a family hike or bike ride, go sledding, or get outside however you prefer! If you plan to be indoors, make sure you and your children are masked and distanced from others as much as possible. The best thing to do is to avoid large crowds and gatherings.
• Find Safe Places to Take Kids During COVID - To ensure your child’s safety, make sure they are going to safe places when they aren’t at home. This includes making sure their school is following safety protocols, friends and family are vaccinated and observing mask and distancing guidelines when visiting, and child care facilities and after school programs are taking the proper precautions to keep the children they care for safe.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Delta aim to serve the children in our communities in many vital ways, including keeping them safe from COVID-19. That’s why we have daily temperature checks for all members and staff, handwashing and sanitizing stations, daily cleaning of all program areas, social distancing measures, and mask requirements for members and staff.

Each of our clubs provides kids with a safe place to play, learn, exercise, and receive nutritious foods. We also offer core programs that offer many different experiences to kids, like playing sports, learning about money, preparing for the workforce, building character and leadership skills, focusing on education, getting creative with arts, and more! Find out how you can get involved with our organization by signing your child up for a club or afterschool program, making a donation, or volunteering to help our cause today!