As Minnesota Slowly Begins To Reopen, What's 'Safe' To Do Now?
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- As pools, playground, sports and camps open up, parents are wondering: What's now safe? Good Question.
It's a question Hennepin Healthcare pediatrician Dr. Krishnan Subrahmanian gets almost every visit.
"It's a tough situation," he says. "It's coming down to parents making decisions on how much risk they're willing to take in this COVID era."
To better address each family's individual scenario, Dr. Subrahmanian made a guidance list.
- Outdoors is better than indoors.
- Social distancing is better than not.
- Masks are better than no masks.
- Fewer people are better than more people.
"If you keep those rules and guidance in mind with decisions, that will help a lot," he says.
When it comes to playdates, Dr. Gigi Chawla, Chief of General Pediatrics at Children's Minnesota, says those decisions should come down to family's individual comfort level with another family.
"You should have a conversation with the grown-ups about how much social distancing in general," Chawla says.
She also says it's important to be watchful of how kids are feeling. There should be no playdates if there are signs of illness.
As for playgrounds, the pediatricians say those are good places to play, as long as kids can social distance. Chawla points out the greatest risk for the spread of COVID-19 isn't surfaces, but rather droplets. Still, she recommends bringing hand sanitizer or hand gel to consistently wash hands.
As for pools, both pediatricians say children can use them too.
"Water does not have a particular transmission for COVID, so within the pool you're ok," Subrahmanian says. "It's really on the deck or on the beach that you have to be most concerned."
But, Chawla suggests parents be mindful can be difficult for children to stay six feet apart at pools and it's hard there to wear a mask.
When it comes to organized youth sports, the Minnesota Department of Health has detailed guidance on its website.
Experts encourage parents to read it and also know that sports leagues can give parents their required safety plans, if asked.
"The other thing I would say is choosing when you take those risks, how important is this event, how important is this gathering and really prioritizing those experiences and adventures that are really important," he says.