How can I protect myself from COVID-19 in an educational institution?

Despite the alarming spread of the pandemic, educational institutions will soon reopen to welcome teachers and students for the 2020/2021 school year. Admittedly, the government has taken numerous measures to ensure the safety of teaching staff and students, but is that really enough to protect against the threat of the epidemic? Whether you are a student preparing to return to class or a parent worried about your child’s safety, here are some tips to consider to protect yourself in an educational institution!

1. Wear a face covering at all times

It can never be said often enough: wearing a face covering is essential to protect yourself and others during these pandemic times. Whether you are a teacher, parent, or student, from primary school through high school, never remove your face covering when you are inside the educational institution. In class, during recess, or when leaving school, make sure that your face covering constantly covers your nose and mouth to avoid catching bacteria and transmitting them to others. Some brands are competing in creativity to create personalized face coverings with colorful designs, so feel free to treat yourself!

2. Always carry hand sanitizer

As a teacher, you must make sure that you always have hand sanitizer with you. In addition to wearing a face covering, remember to clean your hands regularly with hand sanitizer to eliminate all the germs and bacteria that have accumulated on them. Parents, for their part, should educate their children about the importance of washing their hands during these pandemic times, put hand sanitizer in their bag, and explain the importance of using it regularly.

3. Educate children about how to protect themselves

Admittedly, awareness campaigns are in full swing during the pandemic, and it is not uncommon for our own children to remind us how to protect ourselves during these pandemic times. However, as the famous saying goes: prevention is better than cure, and in this regard, we can never be too careful. This is why the teacher’s role during an epidemic is of paramount importance, since it is their responsibility to educate students about the measures to adopt to avoid the risk of falling ill and infecting others. So, if you are a member of the teaching staff, your role is to remind your students, from primary school through high school, how to protect themselves, and do not be afraid of overdoing it, because you can never do enough!

4. No hugs, no kisses, no handshakes

This year has been particularly difficult, in the sense that our habits have been completely disrupted. Students had to leave school early, and teachers taught online for months. Thus, reunions at the start of the next school year promise to be highly emotional, and it will be particularly difficult to resist the temptation to hug our old friends. And yet, it will be a long time before we can once again indulge in these gestures of affection that we have become so accustomed to and that we all miss. Do not forget that the pandemic is transmitted mainly through physical proximity, which is why it is still too early to hug, kiss, or shake hands. Instead, you can bump elbows or greet each other with…your feet!

5. Social distancing

As the start of the school year approaches, the government has already announced a series of measures, including special classroom arrangements so that students are sufficiently far apart from one another. Indeed, social distancing is more relevant than ever and is one of the first protective measures to adopt, whether for teachers or students. In addition to wearing a face covering, children must make sure to keep at least one meter apart from one another and avoid chasing each other during recess. Teaching staff and supervisors at the educational institution must ensure that social distancing is respected under all circumstances.

6. Isolate yourself at the slightest warning sign

Finally, the teacher or student must isolate themselves for at least 14 days at the slightest warning sign. Educational institutions have been equipped with the necessary material to detect positive cases. Thus, anyone at the educational institution suspected of carrying the disease must isolate themselves immediately for at least 14 days and return to work and/or classes only after testing negative.