Summer, kids and COVID-19

For kids, a second summer with the COVID-19 vaccine holds the promise of getting back in the swim of things but with the understanding that their parents need to stay informed and alert.
As families head into summer, here are some suggestions:

What's up, doc? If you've been putting off going to the doctor, "go get your health checks. Make sure your kids see the pediatrician," said Alexis Wood of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Children's Nutrition Research Center and Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

Out you go! Children need to get back in the habit of being outside, according to Dr. Miriam Vos, a pediatrician and professor at the Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. The physical and mental benefits of exercise sometimes went by the wayside during the worst of the pandemic.

The S-word is structure. "More free time in the summer can mean less structure," said Dr. Elliot Davidson, medical director of the Cleveland Clinic Akron General Center for Family Medicine in Ohio. "But in addition to physical activity and a healthy diet, kids need a consistent bedtime, hopefully electronic-free, and a consistent dinner time. And they need good role models. It's hard because adults need to model the good behavior they want the kids to do, and we don't always want to do that."

Stay tuned. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention refines its COVID-19 recommendations as circumstances change, Wood said, so pay attention. "Trust the CDC and follow their guidelines." And if you're traveling, Davidson said, "keep COVID in mind. People in different areas are in different places in terms of COVID, so be prepared for whatever rules are going to be enforced wherever you go."

Keep your balance. "People should not be complacent," Davidson said. "We're not out of COVID yet. But kids need to be kids. They can't hide in their basement all their lives. We have to get back to normal life, but we have to find the right balance. It's complicated, but that's what life's all about."

Nice weather should make for a joyous, memorable summer full of fun vacations, summer camps and playdates. Just remember to monitor if the COVID-19 Community Level where you are living or are vacationing is low, medium or high.

If it's low, you and your children can wear a bask based on your personal preference and your personal levels of risk. If you're in an area that's medium, talk to your health care team about wearing masks indoors when you're in public. If the area you're in is ranked high, the CDC advises that you wear a well-fitting mask indoors in public, regardless of vaccination status. And, regardless of which activities your family chooses, remember to protect yourself and others.

Editor's note: Because of the continuing evolving events surrounding the coronavirus, the facts and advice presented in this story may have changed since publication. Visit Heart.org for the latest coverage, and check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health officials for the most recent guidance.