the questions keep coming
Mommy, what is coronavirus? How did it get its name? Can I hug Grandma and Grandpa through the phone? If I get it, will I be super sick? Can our pets get it, because my dog is so old? Can I go to the trampoline park yet? Can I have a playdate? And…the list goes on. If you’re new to this SAHM (stay at home mom, or dad) gig via school closures or layoffs, welcome to the pack. We’re here to support you while you’re likely getting peppered with 20 (million) questions each day. Why, why, why?!
meet dr David Graham, md
Meet Dr. David Graham, MD and let’s all give him a huge virtual hug for saving the day with answers to 20 of the most common questions kids are asking about the new coronavirus that causes the disease, COVID-19. Thank you to Dr. David and all of our first responders and medical workers for all they are doing to fight coronavirus and keep us healthy.
Dr. David is a seriously smart infectious disease doctor practicing in Billings, Montana. He also helps physicians become financially independent in their 40’s and financially free by age 50…and that’s a huge accomplishment considering the massive amounts of debt from medical school. Check out FiPhysician for several informative blogs on coronavirus and the stock market.
20 questions fact sheet
I’m extremely grateful Dr. David is helping us through the 20 questions phase while our children are all at home with us. Use this kid-friendly 20 questions fact sheet as a resource for science story time at home (print version). It’s a wonderful opportunity for our kids to learn about something very new to the world and have a better understanding of history as it unfolds.
20 questions our kids are asking about coronavirus – answered by an infectious disease doctor
- Q: What is coronavirus & what does it do to you?
A: Viruses are a collection of genetic information that use us to make more of themselves. Most coronaviruses cause a runny nose but this new one can make grandparents sick. Usually, kids don’t get sick from this new coronavirus. - Q: Why do we have to stay at home? Why do we have to do all this boring stuff?
A: Staying at home is fun sometimes! Viruses are passed to you when someone who has it sneezes or coughs and you breath it in. Or, they can wipe their snot on something that you touch, then if you touch your face with that hand it can make you sick too! - Q: Can I play with my cousins and family?
A: Yes, if you see your cousins frequently you can keep seeing them! Family is always good to share things with, even germs like viruses. That’s a joke, it is not fun to share germs, but because we all live together it usually happens. - Q: If I have to sneeze, should I try to stop, should I run to the other room?
A: If you need to sneeze or cough, try to do it into a tissue and throw it away. Or use the inside of your elbows. If you cough into your hands, wash them! - Q: Why do I have to talk with grandma and grandpa on Facetime? (I really want to hug them. But I guess you can kiss and hug the phone.)
A: Grandparents can get really sick from this virus. Sometimes kids can carry this virus and not even be sneezing and coughing. Until we get a vaccine for grandparents, it is safest just to keep some distance from them. - Q: How did coronavirus get its name?
A: If you look at it under an electron microscope, it looks like it has a crown on it. Corona in another language means crown. - Q: How did coronavirus get made?
A: Good question. Might be above my pay grade to answer. - Q: What does it look like under a microscope?
A: You can’t see viruses under a microscope because they are too small. You need an electron microscope to see them. - Q: What are the germs in it?
A: Germs are another name for bacteria and viruses. These can cause you to get sick. - Q: What does it do to you?
A: It usually doesn’t do anything to kids! It can cause pneumonia in grandparents. - Q: If I get it will I be super sick?
A: Nope, chances are you won’t even know you have it. - Q: What do we say and do if we ever get it?
A: You know what, the average kid gets 6-12 colds a year, so it is pretty common to get germs. I don’t think you need to worry about the coronarvirus, but it is hard not to worry sometimes with all the talking that adults do about it. - Q: What do we do if it comes near us? (I know we’ll scream.)
A: You can’t see a virus. You won’t know if it is coming near you, that’s why you are limiting the number of people you see right now. - Q: Who’s got coronavirus?
A: It might be that a lot of people get the virus. It doesn’t hurt most people who get it unless they are old like grandparents. That’s why we are trying to keep it away from grandparents. - Q: Can our pets get it because my dog is so old?
A: Nope, only people. - Q: When will stores be open, like the malls and stuff?
A: Good question! It depends on where you live. If there is a lot of coronavirus in people in your town, it may be a long time before malls and stuff open again. - Q: Why do old people get sick like grandma and grandpa? It doesn’t make sense.
A: That’s a great question and we don’t really know. The reverse of that question is: Why don’t kids get sick? Boy, you are full of good questions today. - Q: Why do we have to wash our hands so much? I already washed them.
A: Every time you touch your face or touch anything that other people touch, there could be germs on your hands. If you use the alcohol hand rub sometimes that’s really good too. - Q: Why do they get a mask but I don’t? It’s not fair.
A: Masks aren’t very helpful in keeping you healthy. Watch someone wearing a mask sometimes and I bet they are playing with it and fidgeting and touching their face. A mask is to keep you from breathing someone’s spit and getting a virus that way. Yuck! - Q: Can I go to the trampoline park now or the zoo?
A: Pretty soon! Once we figure out how much virus is in our city, and if there are some medicines that work, you probably will get to go out again and play in parks!
a sense of relief
Several of the questions were asked time and again by my very own daughter who is 5. I could see the instant relief on her face as soon as Dr. David answered her questions. She’s so happy that she and her little sister will fare well if they get sick. She’s elated our dog Duke won’t die, even though he’s so old (10) and that she will get to play outside or at the trampoline park with other kids again someday soon. I hope this is as helpful to and your kiddos as it was for us.
Stay strong moms and dads. Stay healthy. Stay informed.
Coronavirus Pandemic Information
- World Health Organization
- Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
- State of Montana
- City of Billings
- Yellowstone County
- Riverstone Health
- KTVQ (CBS) in Montana – the station I work at
- FiPhysician – Dr. David Graham’s blog on markets & coronavirus
Great questions, and answers, too. Thanks for posting this.
Thanks mom!!
Dianna and Dr. Graham: Thanks for keeping our kids and our whole community better informed. With knowledge and patience we will get through these trying times.
Thank you Mayor Cole and thanks for all you are doing too! I added the state, city, county and Riverstone Health sites as great resources for people here in Yellowstone County.