PATNA: In view of a possible third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, which is likely to affect children the most, health experts urge parents to remain cautious, instead of panicking.
They also lay emphasis on getting a large number of adults inoculated for ensuring the safety of children.
A Muzaffarpur-based paediatrician, Dr Arun Shah, claims that kids may defeat the virus easily because they have a strong immunity.
He, however, asks all adults to “take all necessary precautions”.
“A large number of people, especially those with children, should be vaccinated before the third wave hits the state,” Dr Arun says.
According to another paediatrician, Dr Vivekanand, the new Covid strain found in Singapore recently is harmful for children, but “it is not a matter of great concern”.
If kids have received other vaccines, they are likely to fight Covid-19 as well.
Talking about the role of Covid-appropriate behaviour, Dr Vivekanand says, “When you return home from office, make sure that you do not meet your children without changing your clothes and washing your hands properly.” He adds, “Keep your kids happy and give them a protein-rich diet along with fruits that have antioxidants.” Echoing similar views, paediatric surgeon, Priti Kashyap, says the third wave will not be as severe as the second one, but “one should be cautious”.
She asks parents to stick to safety norms such as double masking, social distancing, and hand sanitization and teach Covid-appropriate behaviour to their kids as well.
Meanwhile, many parents claim that the closure of schools for the last 15 months has made it difficult for them to control their kids.
They do not allow children to meet their friends or step outside, as a result of which they get irritated and even disobey their parents at times.
“It is difficult to convince my two kids that they will be able to attend school soon and play with their friends.
Online classes fail to enthuse them,” bemoaned a homemaker residing in Sri Krishna Nagar.