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How to keep your young children safe during the coronavirus pandemic

If you’re a new parent, you may be wondering how to protect your baby, or young toddler, from COVID-19.

The CDC said they should not wear a mask.

“Children’s airways are much smaller than adults so in those cases the mask might actually make it a little more difficult for them to breathe. And certainly, a small infant might not be able to tell you that it’s more difficult,” said Dr. Pamela Schoemer, UPMC’s children community Pediatrics Medical Director of Quality and Safety.

“If it’s a small enough child, keep them in a carrier because they’re close to you,” Schoemer said.

Or use a net or a light blanket on top of your stroller to create a bubble around your child.

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“The air still flows through something like a netting,” Schoemer said. “It also just keeps people at more of a distance. Nobody is going to reach down and touch your child and your child isn’t going to reach out and grab something.”

And of course, make sure you keep your distance.

“Avoiding crowds is probably the best in trying not to go where there are too many people in public places that people congregate. It’s difficult to keep people away,” Schoemer said.

But, once the child is over two, you would need to make sure they keep their mask on.

“It’s really important and I think it’s worth the effort. It’s like anything else you’re going to get that power struggle,” Schoemer said.

Schoemer said older kids do have a tendency to not get as sick with coronavirus, but just like with any illness, infants do get it more severely.