Keeping Kids Safe

During these unprecedented times, we are all concerned about safety; what is safest? How do I keep myself and my children safe? COVID-19 poses specific dangers to infants and children, such as:

Face Masks

According to the CDC, children under two years of age should not wear any face covering. Children under two have smaller airways than older children and their risk of suffocation is significantly higher. Children this young also may not be able to verbalize or accurately communicate their needs, and may not be able to let a caregiver know that they need their mask taken off or that they cannot breathe, nor take the mask off themselves. It is unlikely that children will keep a covering on their face, and are more likely to fidget or adjust the mask, therefore touching their faces and increasing the risk of transmission. Pacifiers with facial coverings pose a particularly dangerous threat for the same reasons.

Children Away from Services

Our children are out of school and away from their teachers and peers. Similarly, if children are receiving services such as therapy, behavior management, or health care, those services have likely moved to an online platform. Children who would otherwise disclose abuse in their lives to one of these service providers or a peer now have fewer options to do so. Mandated reporters serve as a possible barrier between children and the people who may abuse them, and with the majority of these people away from children, there is an opportunity for abuse to escalate unchecked. For example, if a child came to school with a visible physical injury, there would be several adults asking questions about that child’s wellbeing and how they got hurt. Due to the current situation, if a child were to sustain an injury, even a visible one, it is possible for weeks to pass before someone sees that child and checks on them.

According to a study conducted by the Texas Council on Family Violence, domestic violence and child abuse both increased after Hurricane Harvey when families were instructed to shelter at home. The study attributes this to many things, including increased stress, lack of or loss of employment, fewer resources, and uncertainty about finances or the future. The conditions of the stay at home order after Hurricane Harvey are similar to the stay at home order in New York due to COVID-19. Professionals expect a large influx of reports of child abuse and maltreatment when children begin to access services in-person again.

Mental Health and Abuse

Children have a large amount of displaced energy at home that would typically be spent at school, and in turn they may be antsy, energized, nervous, or upset. Children do not have a strong sense of time, and may frequently ask when things will be “normal” again, or when they can begin socializing again. When parents are naturally unable to answer these questions, behaviors can sometimes become particularly difficult. Parental stress combined with possibly problematic behaviors from children can lead to aggressive actions from the parent. This displays the incredible importance of de-stressing; anything that reduces stress can reduce the risk for abuse or neglect. Things that reduce stress include going on a walk, reading, drawing, playing a game with your child, or engaging in another hobby that you enjoy.

Additionally, being on lockdown, having others make choices for you, and feeling as if you have no say in a situation can trigger a trauma response in both parents and children who have experienced abuse in the past, and can add to stress in the home.

Pediatric Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome Potentially Associated with COVID-19 (PMSIS)

Children who contract COVID-19 typically only have mild symptoms and do not become severely ill, and only 1% of New Yorkers who have been hospitalized with COVID-19 were under 20 years old. However, the New York State Department of Health is investigating 179 reported cases and 3 deaths of New York children experiencing symptoms similar to Kawasaki Disease and Toxic Shock Syndrome, 93% of whom tested positive for COVID-19. As of May 5th, 2020, there were 64 suspected cases, which rose to 137 by May 20th, and currently stands at 179 suspected cases as of May 28th.

Symptoms of the condition include persistent fever, inflammation, abdominal symptoms, swelling, rash, redness, and evidence of single or multi-organ dysfunction such as shock, cardiac, respiratory, renal, or gastrointestinal distress. Most children suspected of having PMSIS are school-aged. Parents should have open conversations with their children about the spread of germs and keeping their hands away from their mouth, nose, and eyes. Parents should also demonstrate good hygiene with children and help children wash their hands properly if they are unable to do so themselves.

What to Do?

While we all experience these difficult times:

DO remember that many services are still fully operational

DO contact local mental health professionals who are operating via telemedicine, and Headspace online mental health is offering free limited services to all New York residents.

DO reach out to your child’s pediatrician if they have any signs of symptoms

DO contact the Childcare Clearinghouse for help with childcare needs

DO have open communication with your children about boundaries with their bodies if they will be in the care of someone they typically are not alone with

DO reference the New York State Guide for Caregivers in the time of COVID-19, Linked Here

DO try to destress; reduced stress equals reduced risk of abuse

What NOT to do:

DO NOT use face coverings for children under two

DO NOT take children or adults exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 to the emergency room – call your primary care physician or pediatrician first

DO NOT allow children to be responsible for washing their own hands if they are not able

DO NOT isolate yourself – physical distancing doesn’t mean isolation. Reach out to friends and family and support each other through this difficult time

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Expansion of Services – Catholic Charities of Western New York

Catholic Charities is happy to announce a temporary expansion of our services in Niagara County exclusively focused on those who have experienced financial loss due to COVID-19.

For those who qualify, through the end of June 2020, Catholic Charities will have the ability to assist with unforeseen transportation costs and medical prescription costs as well as utility payments.

We continue to provide food assistance and assistance in the purchase of household goods and hygiene products in the form of vouchers and gift cards to those who qualify whether or not they are affected by COVID.

Finally, if you already receive social service assistance and/or SNAP benefits but are struggling because you have children at home and do not have access to school-provided meals you can call for an evaluation and possible aid. All inquiries are reviewed on a case by case basis.

Please call 716 282-2351 with any questions
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 General Tips for Safety and Mental Well-Being

• Practice good hygiene
  • Sneeze or cough into your elbow or sleeve
  • Dispose of tissues immediately after use
  • Wash your hands with warm soapy water for at least 20 seconds
  • Use hand sanitizer when you are unable to wash your hands
• Create a plan to deal with disruptions
  • Setting up a remote workspace in your home
  • Arranging for alternative childcare when necessary
  • Locating local resources to help
• Don’t overexpose yourself to news and information
  • Find quality sources for information and check for updates periodically
  • If you find yourself checking too often, set alarms to establish boundaries for when to check
  • Don’t rely on social media or word of mouth for important updates and information. Refer to highly reliable sources like the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization for research-based and scientifically-backed information
• Keep your anxiety in check
  • Anxiety and tension are normal in these times and can help you adapt to what’s happening around you
  • If you find yourself in a panic, however, you may need to take additional precautions to help yourself; gauge your anxiety based on your “normal”
  • Atypical anxiety occurs when you’re unable to carry out daily tasks and/or that affect sleep and eating patterns
  • Reach out to friends, family, and other support systems via phone, text, social media, or using platforms like Skype or FaceTime
  • Practice good self-care by exercising, eating well, and even finding ways to help those who need it
  • If you are feeling hopeless or if you have thoughts of self-harm or suicide, call 800-273-TALK (8255) or text Got5 to 741741 IMMEDIATELY

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Practicing Mindfulness When Life is Chaotic

It can be tricky if you don’t know exactly how to do it, but daily practice can help. This article on mindfulness from author Wendy MacMillan may help guide you in the right direction!

While we know that stress has negative effects on our health and well-being, there are a plethora of ways doctors recommend combating stress and strengthening our immune systems. Some of these recommendations include making sure to stick to a regular exercise routine, eating healthily, getting enough sleep, and if you haven’t started a mindful practice yet, there is no better time than the present!

According to the University of Washington, a regular mindful practice routine “Reduces stress and its consequences…and can lead to less intense stress responses. This has many health benefits, such as lowering your blood pressure and strengthening your immune system.”

Jon Kabat-Zinn, the founder of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, defines mindfulness as an “awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally.” With this definition in mind, there are numerous ways to practice mindfulness, including but not limited to, sitting down to traditional mindful meditation. There are, however, lots of other easy ways to practice mindfulness throughout your day and even while you are on the go. Consider practicing mindfulness while you are brushing your teeth, washing the dishes, or shampooing your hair!

If you choose to try mindfulness say, while washing dishes, simply bring your focus and attention fully to the activity at hand. Notice the physical feelings: the warm water, the sudsy bubbles, the weight of the dish in your hand. Bring your attention to the sounds you might hear: clinking dishes, running water, sopping sponges. And also try to take note of how your body feels and what emotions you are experiencing while you are performing the task. Although it is pertinent to continue to pay attention to the present moment, it is also inevitable for other thoughts to creep into your mind. When this happens, simply treat the thought as a passing cloud in your mind. Don’t try to hold onto the thought, or admonish yourself for having the thought, merely let the thought go and bring your attention back to the present moment.

Another great way to practice mindfulness for stress-reduction comes from the University of Minnesota where they suggest that “STOP is an easy way to practice being mindful in the face of stress. When you notice something has triggered you and you are about to react, follow the steps below:

-Slow down

-Take a breath

-Observe: what are you feeling in your body? What are you thinking? What other possibilities exist? Proceed, considering multiple possibilities.

So while we prep, make contingency plans, and wait to hear what actions to take from our local government…perhaps a little mindfulness is just what we need to get us through. For more information and for access to guided meditations visit Mindful.