Children Face Risk of Contamination in Schools

Children Face Transmission Risk in Schools During this extraordinary period due to Covid-19, the pandemic of the century, the rules that students must observe in the classroom carry critical importance. For example, putting a pen in one's mouth, unconsciously touching one's face or eyes, or innocently sharing food or school materials with classmates can all increase transmission risk. Prof. Dr. Hacer Kuzu Okur, Chest Diseases Specialist at Acıbadem Altunizade Hospital, states that adhering to pandemic protocols and not sharing personal items with others are among the most effective ways to protect against diseases both during the pandemic period and in winter months when transmission risk increases. Prof. Dr. Hacer Kuzu Okur has provided important warnings and recommendations regarding precautions that must be explained to children against Covid-19 risk and winter diseases during the pandemic.

Hand Hygiene is Important

Covid-19 infection, flu and cold viruses, diarrhea, hepatitis, rash diseases and intestinal parasites most commonly spread through the hands. Hacer Kuzu Okur notes that thousands of disease-causing microorganisms can be found on hands that appear clean, stating: "Frequent and proper hand washing is highly effective in preventing serious diseases. Developing the hand-washing habit in our children will be the most important measure in protecting them from many infections. Hands must be washed before and after meals, before and after using the toilet, after sneezing and coughing, upon getting off the school shuttle, after contact with cats, dogs and other animals, after coming home from school, and after removing and discarding masks." Drawing attention to the fact that hands often unconsciously touch the face, eyes and mouth during the day, which allows germs to spread throughout the body, Prof. Dr. Hacer Kuzu Okur states: "It is very important to avoid touching the face, mouth and eyes with hands. Nowadays, in addition to Covid-19 infection, we frequently encounter flu infections, hepatitis, rash diseases and parasite infections."

Using the Correct Mask Correctly

Prof. Dr. Hacer Kuzu Okur emphasizes that proper mask use is one of the most effective methods in protecting against Covid-19 infection and diseases such as common cold and flu that increase in winter months. He stresses that the mask must be worn to cover not only the mouth but also the nose, that when removing it contact with the fabric must be avoided, it should be removed only by the straps and immediately discarded, followed by thorough hand washing. Stating that it is very important to change the mask after sneezing and coughing or if it gets wet in rain, Prof. Dr. Hacer Kuzu Okur says: "When the mask gets wet, it loses its filtering properties and can become harmful rather than beneficial. Due to the winter season, it is more difficult to keep the mask dry both due to common cold and rainy weather. For the mask to provide effective protection, it must be dry and clean. A wet mask should be changed immediately, and a slightly damp mask after speaking and running should be changed after 4 hours." Prof. Dr. Hacer Kuzu Okur notes that children must have easy access to spare masks when needed at school and must always have spare masks in their bags, emphasizing that a new mask must be used every day and the same mask must never be worn a second day.