With the reopening of schools in the UK, demands and possible approvals to vaccinate children of age 12 -15, there’s still an air of concern and doubts among many parents about the safety and security of their children from the deadly virus. Asian Voice spoke to some parents and a psychologist to gauge the sentiment of the community.
Lavina Mehta MBE, founder of ‘Feel Good with Lavina’ had a lot of anxiety about the reopening of schools over the pandemic. Recently, her 13-year-old son caught Covid at end of the summer term and she got it from him too. “Despite being double vaccinated it’s not been easy for me,” she told Asian Voice.
Speaking about her child’s post-Covid recovery, Lavina said that she is focusing on boosting that strengthening his immune system and strength through healthy eating and ensuring he has adequate sleep, and building back up his physical activity – by starting off small to see how he feels, using her concept of “exercise snacking” - short bite-sized amounts through the day, to gradually build back up. He also continues to take multivitamins that cover vitamin C and vitamin D. Sharing her immediate concern, she said, “As children are not vaccinated and my concern is the spread of the virus amongst children, and then passing this on to vulnerable or elderly loved ones. Children also seem to be getting worse symptoms with the delta variant if they are positive and I am concerned about the impact of long term covid to children.”
Commenting on the protocols being implemented by the schools, she said, “Yes our school is following protocols but it’s ensuring that everyone actually sticks to the guidelines and regular testing is key. Our school is also taking extra measures. For example, although face coverings are no longer mandatory for pupils, staff or visitors, they strongly encourage that they are worn in communal areas and enclosed spaces (such as busy corridors or full classrooms). Although they cannot make this a requirement, it’s an easy way of reducing the risk of transmission at a relatively low personal cost. After such a challenging year and disruption to the education system, it is important children do go back to school for their education and mental health but I am concerned cases will go up as they are not vaccinated and with Winter & flu coming it’s going to be a challenging, uncertain term.”
Sharing her advice for more parents like her, Lavina said, “Having seen my 13-year-old son suffer 6 days of temperature, cough, weakness and still has no sense of smell, alongside myself being vaccinated but then also testing positive and having scary symptoms like chest tightness and feeling out of breath, fatigue for several weeks, please take the virus seriously and continue to protect your elderly and vulnerable loved ones. My advice also is that if your child shows symptoms but tests negative, keep testing daily as both my son and mine showed positive after 2/3 days. Book a PCR test for the most accurate check.”
“Listen to your body. Covid affects everyone so differently just go at your own pace and techniques like breathing can help alleviate the associated anxiety,” she added.
Swati Srivastava, a mother in England has more confidence in the system. She told the newsweekly, “Honestly, I am not too worried as schools are as good or bad as any other place now. Plus schools have been really good in terms of not letting parents inside school, sanitise hands of children as soon as they come in, making sure they wash their hands frequently and single seating.”
Clinical Psychologist Dr Tina Mistry explained the psyche behind this and said, “Parents and children alike may be experiencing many emotions when returning back to school. What we have learnt is that there is a fine balance between social and emotional needs versus health needs. Each child is going to face unique challenges and for parents it is important to communicate with our children. As a family, it is ideal to discuss any concerns around attendance and vaccination with an open mind. For older children, parents are encouraged to allow children to debate the pros and cons. As we are modelling that they are being heard and that their perspective is valued. Sadly there is no wrong or right in this situation, however it is crucial that we feel connected during this uncertain time. If parents or teachers are concerned about a child's well-being please seek medical support.”
UK CMOs write to Sajid Javid
Four Chief Medical Officers in the UK have given green light to the Covid-19 vaccine for children over age 12. In a letter to Health Secretary Sajid Javid four chief medical officers wrote, evidence from clinical and public health colleagues, general practice, child health and mental health consistently makes clear the massive impact that absent or disrupted face to face education has had on the welfare and mental health of many children and young people. Having a significant proportion of pupils vaccinated is likely to reduce the probability of such events, which are likely to cause local outbreaks in or associated with schools. They will also reduce the chance an individual child gets Covid-19. This means vaccination is likely to reduce but not eliminate the education disruption recommended. A single dose of Pfizer would suffice among 12 to 15-year-olds. Medical Officers also added in the letter, “Whilst full closures of schools to do lockdown is much less likely to be necessary for the next stages of the Covid-19 epidemic. UK CMOS expect the epidemic, to continue to be prolonged and unpredictable local surges of infection, including in schools should be anticipated for some time, where they occur, they are likely to be disruptive.”
