How Can Families Manage Uncertainty Surrounding the Coronavirus?
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted everyone, creating a public health emergency as well as an economic crisis. This is a pandemic that has impacted the entire world, leaving everyone searching for answers. With close to 3 million cases globally and much of the world still reeling from its impact, there has been a lot of attention paid to its impact on businesses all over the world; however, one of its impacts has been overlooked severely. This is the impact that the virus has had on families. It is important for families, particularly parents with children, to know how to handle this conversation. It is helpful to turn to professionals and authors who can guide this conversation.
Remain Calm During Discussions
It is important for everyone to remain as calm as possible during any discussions around the COVID-19 pandemic. This can be a difficult topic for anyone to discuss and if people allow their emotions to get the better of them, this could cause discussions about the COVID-19 pandemic to become personal. Furthermore, this is very important for discussions that have anything to do with children. If kids see their parents get flustered during these discussions, they are likely to get scared. Fear is not going to help anyone during this time.
Provide Information that Is Accurate
It is important for parents to make sure that their children are protected from misinformation that might be spread on the internet and TV; however, it is just as important for everyone, particularly parents, to make sure they listen to information that is coming from reliable, trustworthy sources. This could include information coming from the CDC, WHO, and FDA. Furthermore, anyone who has specific questions about the COVID-19 pandemic should reach out to their physician to ask for help. Doctors can help interpret jargon, helping families figure out what to listen to.
Focus on Preventative Measures to Retain Control
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important for everyone to find ways to retain some sort of control. This is where preventative measures come into play. There are a lot of ways that people can help themselves and their loved ones remain healthy during this time. This includes measures such as wearing a mask, adhering to social distancing guidelines, and handwashing. When people feel like they have the power to keep themselves and their loved ones safe, they help reduce the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. This will help everyone, including children, feel better.
Reach Out and Ask for Help
Finally, everyone has to make sure they are comfortable asking for help. There is no shame in this. There are lots of places that people can turn to for assistance. This includes friends, family members, doctors, other healthcare professionals, and religious advisors. Furthermore, this will set an example for everyone else that it is okay for others to ask for assistance. This can go a long way toward measuring the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
Talking About COVID-19 in Families
These are just a few of the major impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on families. While many people believe that the COVID-19 pandemic is in the rearview mirror, this is not the case. Its impacts are still very real and there are some families that might take years to recover from its impacts. Those who have lost a loved one might never recover. The first step in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic is to talk about it. This is how parents and families can talk with each other, including their children, about the impacts they are feeling