Category: For Parents

Stokes: Stay Home. Stay Safe. Save Lives. Walnut Cove Public Library

For our series of Local People, Local Stories, Local Impact, we spoke with Walnut Cove Library Branch Manager Christine Boles about their continued efforts to provide services for citizens in the area.

Christine says, “we have many patrons we consider family to us and we are just as concerned about them as we would be our own families”.

How has COVID19 affected Walnut Cove Library?

“When we closed on Friday, March 27, 2020, we closed our doors to the public until further notice. Closing the library that Friday afternoon was a surreal experience and one that left me feeling very confused as to how we would handle this new way of life and work.”

Christine thought, “how would we still meet our community’s needs and what about all the people who call Walnut Cove Public Library their “home away from home?”

Branch Manager, Christine Boles, at London Elementary Reading Night

“Walnut Cove Public Library is like many small-town libraries when it comes to family. We have many patrons we consider family to us and we are just as concerned about them as we would be our own families. Working in a small-town library allows us to really get to know people and what is happening in their lives. So many of our patrons have used the library since they were small children and now we see their children using the library. Many of our senior citizens we see every week and we spend a great deal of time working with them to find new books for them to read.”

“Then, there are those few individuals like myself, Assistant Branch Manager Chelsea Russell, and Programs Assistant Kristin Fulp who grew up using the Walnut Cove Public Library and now work there.”

Assistant Branch Manager Chelsea Russell participating at London Elementary Reading Night

How will the Walnut Cove Library continue services?

We are making many plans for how we can best serve everyone during the summer months. Currently, the staff at Walnut Cove is working diligently on our Summer Learning Program.

We will still have a program for our children, but it will be different in many ways. 

1: We will have both paper reading logs and an online recording site for our participants to record their reading time and we will still have prizes at the end of the summer.

The State Library of North Carolina is currently working on an online reading recording website that we will be able to share very soon.

2: We are working on printed and online packets to hand out and share with our participants. The library staff is deciding how to get those printed packets to everyone since we may not be able to open to the public for a while. We do not want to exclude anyone who does not have access to the internet.

3: Our performers will be doing online programs for us to share with all families. These programs will be available for everyone to view! Sadly, there will be no in-house programs this summer.

4: Also, we will be videoing science experiments, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) projects, and filming educational videos that our children can follow along at home.

Lego Day for Stokes Opportunity Center
Lego Day Creations

Christine says, “if you have any suggestions on how we can best serve your needs during Summer Learning, we would be happy to hear them.”

⇒You can reach the Walnut Cove Library on their Facebook page, via phone 336-591-7496 or by e-mail at wco@nwrl.org⇐

Another service we want to add this summer is our Back to Basics videos. This is a first for Walnut Cove and we are excited to add this to our services! We are planning to do several how-to videos for everyone.

We are currently working on fishing techniques, starting your own garden, and learning how to crochet.

Click the picture to be taken to Walnut Cove Library Facebook page.

These are staff hobbies, but we want to hear from our customers what they would like to learn.

We have several suggestions already including canning and preserving fruits and vegetables, sewing, and seasonal crafts.

Eventually, we plan to take our show on the road to visit businesses and places of interest in Stokes County.

“What is something positive, or uplifting, that you have experienced during COVID19?”

The most positive aspect taken from this whole experience is the library staff has an even greater understanding of how valuable our public libraries truly are to their community and how much our hard work and dedication will have to continue at an even higher level to help see our community through this pandemic. We know COVID19 will be a part of our lives for many months and possibly years to come and it has taught all of us the value of human life.

In addition, we think of what we must do as community helpers to keep our citizens happy, safe, and well-informed.

There is not a day goes by if I am out in Walnut Cove, that someone tells me how ready they are for the library to open back up. Everyone is in full agreement that they greatly miss our doors being open.

Christine Boles Branch Manager, Walnut Cove Library

You can reach the Walnut Cove Library on their Facebook page, via phone 336-591-7496 or by e-mail at wco@nwrl.org

Read our other entries in Local People, Local Stories, Local Impact here.

Stokes: Stay Home. Stay Safe. Save Lives. NWRL

We continue our series of Local People, Local Stories, Local Impact, with Joan Sherif from Northwest Regional Library.

The NWRL has branches in Danbury, Walnut Cove and King and are currently closed, but offer a wide variety of options to residents to advance knowledge, strengthen our communities and inspire diversity.

 To read our story about the Walnut Cove Public Library click here.

To read our story about the King Public Library click here. 

To read our story about the Danbury Public Library click here.

How has COVID19 affected the NWRL?

With the Governor’s announcement in March, we closed all libraries to the public and provided curbside service until April 1 when we had to discontinue it. It was very popular, and it was very hard for the staff to stop serving the public in person which is our goal. We were very fortunate that the Regional Board approved all staff working from home.

At first, it was almost surreal since we were closing our doors to the public and that has always been the opposite of what we try to do.  After the initial shock wore off, the staff swung into action.  We began virtual communication with all libraries (Stokes, Surry, Alleghany, and Yadkin) which has been a lifeline for us to stay in touch.  We are using Google Classroom and Meet.  We formed three teams on priority issues to get input from all staff and further collaborate. The teams meet weekly, and there is good discussion and some good outcomes.

 

Since the initial closing, staff has worked from home with catch up work, continuing education, and re-inventing how library services are delivered.  It did not take long for staff to jump on many webinars that will help all staff do an even better job now and in the future.  We have transformed all services online and now provide even more virtual services than ever.

These services are available on www.nwrl.org

We added new tabs to our website (www.nwrl.org) to include information on CO-VID 19, employment resources, and remote services.

Anyone with checked out materials was asked to hold onto books, DVD’s, and audiobooks until we re-open with no overdue fines.

People can now get a temporary card online as well.

Our staff stepped up to the challenge. Although we had some virtual programs before, the staff has taken hold of the possibilities and are offering online storytimes, readings from Harry Potter,  fairy tales, celebration of Earth Day, book talks, and much more.

And, I think that we have just begun! The response has been excellent with many comments about how people are not only enjoying seeing their library workers but also enjoying the programs.

Free learning resources available on www.nwrl.org.

Since not everyone has wifi at home, we are encouraging folks to use the outside wifi from library parking lots.  We have seen an increase of usage and are glad to provide the service especially now.

The staff have been great and risen to the occasion. I think that we all have learned so much about ourselves and our communities that will be continued after we are able to open up fully to the public.

How will NWRL continue these services for Stokes residents?

We have all become aware of how we can develop remote and virtual services to a greater extent.  Staff are building on what they know about online services (including NC LIVE databases and NC Kids Digital) and learning more at an exponential rate!  It seems like everyday there is a new find, and talent is emerging!

These free learning resources are available at www.nwrl.org

Please visit www.nwrl.org and check out the Virtual Programs.

We have discussed more online services as well as asynchronous ones such as story walks and scavenger hunts that kids can do with their families or each other and get outdoors.

These services and others will become part of what NWRL libraries do.

Can you share anything positive from this situation we are all facing?

I think that we all agree that there have been many positives from the CO-VID19 crisis.  Although it is a hard and scary time for all of us, I think that we have all found a new resilience and hope for the future. 

Our staff is working even more closely together and supporting each other even more.  We realize that we all are in this together with our communities and truly believe that we will be stronger and better at the other end of it.

We know that many services that have started will be regular parts of library services.  We have learned much about ourselves, each other, and our organization.  Although we are planning for (and very much looking forward) to the day when we can reopen to the public, we know that we are stronger and better and have learned some very valuable lessons about ourselves and our communities.  We are even more aware of the importance of the essential value of our libraries to each community.

Not only are libraries a place for books, Audio/visual, information, and programs but also they are places for human connection.
In a survey that is posted on the website about what people miss most about their libraries and services that they would like to see, we are seeing that people often say that they miss the staff. 

Library workers are community helpers and although the way we are helping has changed since the beginning of the stay at home order, we are continuing on a different level that we will continue as we grow and change.  The library is online and in person.

-Joan Sherif, Northwestern Regional Library

Information regarding the Northwestern Regional Library can be found online here

 

Read our other entries in Local People, Local Stories, Local Impact here.

Stokes: Stay Home. Stay Safe. Save Lives. Part 10.

We continue our series of Local People, Local Stories, Local Impact, with Taylor Furr, 4-H and Youth Development Agent from the Stokes County Cooperative Extension.

Taylor discusses how COVID-19 has impacted her work with 4-H & Youth Development and the innovative steps she is taking to stay connected with the youth of Stokes County.

1. What are you and/or your agency doing here in Stokes County to support our residents during COVID-19?

Stokes County 4-H is a youth development program where I, as the 4-H Agent, provide educational opportunities for the youth in our county. During this trying time, we have created a couple activities youth can be working on.

Taylor Furr is the 4-H and Youth Development Agent for Stokes County

We have a History Scavenger Hunt going on where youth can learn about 4-H while completing a fill in the blank form. You can find more information on our website at stokes.ces.ncsu.edu.

I am continuing to provide resources to teachers, such as our Embryology Program and the Steps to Health program. We are pre recording videos and sending them to the teachers so they can share it with their classes. Each week I will be posting an activity for youth and families to participate if they wish.

All of the summer youth activities hosted by the Extension Office have been postponed, cancelled, or moved to a virtual setting.

The Stokes County Cooperative Extension agents are working together to plan activities youth can participate in on their own at home this summer.

Be on the lookout for more information in the coming weeks.
If you have any suggestions or requests of activities you’d like to see, please reach out to Taylor Furr at taylor_furr@ncsu.edu. More information can be found at stokes.ces.ncsu.edu or our Facebook page.

2. Why is it important that our community practice self-care, for mental and physical well-being?

It is still important that we deliver relevant and trustworthy information to our citizens, but what has changed is how we deliver our information. We are working diligently to provide our community with knowledge through virtual platforms instead of face-to-face interactions. This way we are being good stewards of social distancing but still serving our community.

3. What is something positive you have seen in midst of chaos of COVID-19 as we navigate this together?

I personally have seen families who do not normally get to spend time together, being able to do that now. They are building connections, and making memories, and that is something to be thankful for during this time!

Taylor Furr, 4-H & Youth development for the stokes county cooperative extension
Click here for more information about the Stokes County Cooperative Extension.

Read our other entries in Local People, Local Stories, Local Impact here.

Stokes: Stay Home. Stay Safe. Save Lives. Part 8.

We continue our series of Local People, Local Stories, Local Impact with an update from Cindy Tuttle at Stokes Partnership for Children.

Cindy Tuttle, Executive Director of Stokes Partnership for Children, discusses how COVID19 is impacting the efforts and programs her agency provides to children and families in the county.

Stokes Partnership for Children has a history of over 25 years serving our early childhood community, with a focus on children birth to age five. Click here to read more about the impact COVID19 is having on early childhood education in Stokes.

What are you and your agency doing here in Stokes County to support child-care centers during COVID-19?

Stokes Partnership for Children (SPC) is working to ensure that child care programs who are providing care for the children of essential workers have access to critical expert health and safety consultation and are connected to available resources, such as information about funding, supplies, financial assistance, teacher supports and more.
L To R: Shanda Cox, Child Care Resource and Referral Coordinator; Joan Sherif, SPC Board Chair; Shannon Cox, NC Pre-K Coordinator and Program Manager; Wanda Craig, Administrative Assistant and Dolly Parton Imagination Library Coordinator; Arden Browder, SPC Board Member; Cindy Tuttle, Executive Director; Dianne Durham, Workforce Innovation to Support Early Education (WISEE) Coordinator; Anne Moser, Finance Manager; Rep. Kyle Hall, NC House

It is the job of SPC to track the needs of centers and families so that state officials are kept informed and aware of the needs of child care programs and families in our community.

Can you share how Pre-K Teachers are supporting their students during COVID-19?

Dedicated Pre-K Teachers are finding creative ways to offer virtual learning.  They are using take-home packets as well as online platforms to reach their students and engage families to actively participate in teaching.

One teacher stated, “I’ve gotten into the swing of things and I’ve received great feedback from the families–they say it is easily accessible and they all seem to love the activities (families and children). They send me pictures and videos of what they are doing, how they complete the extension activities, and can answer questions that I ask, all of which brings me so much joy!” 

For children who do not have access to on-line resources, teachers are texting, emailing and calling individual families in order to rise to the challenge of teaching, in spite of the pandemic.

What free resources are available for parents/guardians of children birth to 5 years?

It is amazing how innovative these programs have been to continue serving our community. One great example of this is the Children’s Center of Northwest NC, who SPC contracts with to provide the Nurturing Parenting Program (NPP).

NPP is a family-centered trauma-informed initiative designed to build nurturing parenting skills as an alternative to abusive and neglecting parenting and child-rearing practices.

NPP staff have continued to provide services by mailing NPP lessons weekly to families, then are following up each week either by phone or virtual technology (Zoom, FaceTime) if the family has access to this technology. The families then have the lesson in front of them while NPP staff discusses it with them and answers any questions they may have. NPP also mails any types of resources/helpful information the family may request or NPP staff may feel is beneficial. NPP staff have sent information about how to stay safe and healthy during COVID-19, ways to talk to their children about it, helpful ways to assist with school work, etc. If NPP staff discovers they have a need for food or supplies they see how they can help them so that their needs are being met. Despite COVID-19, NPP staff are still taking referrals for this program.

What message do you have for parents/guardians of children birth to 5 years in Stokes County?

During this pandemic, SPC strongly encourages the community to follow all of the safety guidelines related to COVID-19, to stay home and follow the latest NC Shelter in Place orders. With that thought in mind, Stokes Partnership for Children staff are working mostly from home, but you can rest assured we are still working very hard from behind the scenes.

We can be reached via email or by calling us at 336-985-2676 and leaving a voicemail. We check our voicemail several times daily.

For our staff directory and to learn more about us go to www.stokespfc.com or follow us on Facebook for daily updates and sharing of resources.

Cindy S. Tuttle, Executive Director

Stokes Partnership for Children

For more information about Stokes Partnership for Children and their role in early childhood development in Stokes during COVID19 click here.

Read our other entries in Local People, Local Stories, Local Impact here.

For Parents/Caregivers of Youth: Underage Alcohol

Underage alcohol consumption is an issue that parents and caregivers of youth should address.

According to the last Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) 26.5% of NC High School youth reported consuming alcohol in the last 30 days.

The following video will give parents and caregivers of youth ways they can talk to their teen to discourage alcohol use. There are tips for effective communication between parents and child as well as peer pressure avoidance techniques that youth can use.

Stokes: Stay Home. Stay Safe. Save Lives. Part 7.

We continue our series of Local People, Local Stories, Local Impact with Patti Snyder. She is a new mother, a Stokes resident and Family and Consumer Science Agent for Stokes County Cooperative Extension.

What are you and/or your agency doing here in Stokes County to address COVID-19?   

Our mission is to extend research-based information to the citizens of Stokes County. During COVID-19 our mission is still the same and we will continue to deliver knowledge that can be transformed into solutions that improve our community. 

It is still important that we deliver relevant and trustworthy information to our citizens, but what has changed is how we deliver our information. We are working diligently to provide our community with knowledge through virtual platforms instead of face-to-face interactions. This way we are being good stewards of social distancing but still serving our community. 

We have also transformed the Feed Stokes 5k/Half Marathon Race to an online platform. For those that have registered for the race, they can sign up for free and compete with others.
If you are not registered and would like to compete you can go to our facebook page, Feed Stokes 5k/Half Marathon and register.
All proceeds are split up between the three Stokes County Food Banks

Going from face-to-face contact to all online, is strange. Thankfully we have great organizations in the County who have each other’s backs. I have worked with so many great organizations to continue to provide content for our communities.

So far I have partnered with Cardinal Innovations to post line dancing videos and made bread in a bag with Stokes Arts Live. Additionally, myself and the City of King Parks and Recreation Director have taken our Friday morning walking group virtual as a way to encourage people to get outside and continue exercising.  

I have continued to send out resources to our teachers who were participating in our Steps to Health programming by sending out videos that they can send to the students. The children may not be in the schools, but this is no reason for them to stop learning about healthy foods and how to grow your own food.

Each week I plan to post information on our website that is helpful to our citizens of Stokes County. Click here to visit Stokes County Cooperative Extension.

Why is it important that our community take these measures?

I find it to be important to take the recommended measures, like social distancing, to keep ourselves and others safe. Personally, I have a young child at home, so following current recommendations helps reduce the risk of jeopardizing her health as well as mine.

What is something positive you have seen in the midst of chaos of COVID-19 as we navigate this together?

I have really enjoyed seeing more children and families playing outside. I have seen families start planting gardens, which for some may be a completely new hobby. I think it is exciting for them to explore new talents, like gardening. I know one positive for my family is we have found the time to do all of those home remodel projects we always talked about!

patti snyder, Family & consumer science agent, stokes cooperative extension
For more information about Family and Consumer Science programs available in Stokes County click here.

Read our other entries in Local People, Local Stories, Local Impact here.

Mental and Physical Self Care: Virtual Wellness Kit

During our series of Local People, Local Stories, Local Impact, we featured Amanda Smith, Member Engagement Specialist for Cardinal Healthcare Innovations.

Amanda mentioned digital resources to help support Stokes County residents physically and emotionally. Below are links for entertainment for kids and adults, support for mental health and physical health, recipes and more. During these uncertain times remember your mental health and wellbeing is as important as your physical wellness.

“As we all continue to shelter in place, we at Cardinal want to thank you for letting us provide you with what we hope is a weekly dose of wellness. And in case a reminder is needed–you deserve to feel good both physically and emotionally. See below for easy ways to practice self-care.”-

Amanda Smith, Member Engagement Specialist for Cardinal Innovations Healthcare

 

 

 

 

 

 

Links Specific for Kids:
General Links:
  • Free Photography Classes-Nikon is offering free online photography classes through April 30, 2020. Normally between $15 – $50 each, all 10 classes at the Nikon School can now be streamed for free. Each class is taught by a professional photographer. Some classes cover Nikon products, but many teach photography basics that anyone can benefit from.
  • Google’s Arts & Culture collection-Virtually tour hundreds of well-known museums around the world including the Guggenheim, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, the National Gallery in London, the Acropolis Museum in Athens and more. In many, you can use Google’s street view feature to ‘walk’ the museum.
  • Free Guitar Lessons-Guitar manufacturer Fender is currently offering a free 3 month subscription to their Fender Play tuition app to new subscribers who want to learn acoustic or electric guitar, bass or ukulele.
Links below will open to a pdf in new window

To all health care professionals, first responders, grocery store workers, professional and lay caregivers, and those working to make things as normal as possible in such a stressful time, our deepest thanks.

As always, take care and be well.

Stokes: Stay Home. Stay Safe. Save lives. Part 5

Continuing our series of Local People, Local Stories, Local Impact, we asked Amanda Smith, Member Engagement Specialist for Cardinal Innovations Healthcare, about COVID-19 and the impact it has had on the Stokes Wellness Center.

  1. What are you and/or your agency doing here in Stokes County to support our residents during COVID-19?
  2. Why is it important that our community practice self-care, for mental and physical well-being? 
  3. What is something positive you have seen in midst of chaos of COVID-19 as we navigate this together?

“We recognize that the effects of COVID- 19 are far reaching beyond just our physical health. The fear of contracting the virus, adapting to new routines, isolation and difficulties obtaining necessities can have profound effects on our emotional health. Supporting our members and our communities in maintaining their health and wellness is always our top priority.”

“In efforts to support the Stokes Community we have worked collaboratively with community partners such as Insight Human Services, the Stokes County Cooperative Extension, local artist Dianna Altrath and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Diana Bryant to provide ‘Virtual Wellness Programming’.”

Each day community members can access free programming that will range from line dancing, stress management education, arts and crafts and more by viewing our Cardinal Innovations FACEBOOK PAGE, TWITTER ACCOUNT or our blog.

“I have had the pleasure of working with these agencies and individuals on a regular basis in the community at our Cardinal Innovations Wellness Center in Walnut Cove before COVID-19 and am excited to have a new platform for them to share their knowledge, talents and abilities to those who may need it.”

“As an organization we are also sending out ‘Virtual Wellness Kits’ to community members that includes entertainment links, tips to talking with your child about COVID-19 and how to access community resources to address needs such as food insecurities. I am proud to say that we have also started the COVID-19 Relief Fund which is a grant that will fund the efforts of non-profits who are supporting those affected by COVID-19.”

As a Member Engagement Specialist, we are working closely with other departments within our organization, behavioral health providers and community members to ensure access to mental health, substance use and developmental disability services.

“We understand that navigating behavioral health resources can be difficult and COVID-19 has added complexity to this. We want our communities and the residents of Stokes County to know that we are committed to ensuring that you get connected to the behavioral health services that you need.”

“Now is more important than ever to connect people who may be experiencing a mental health crisis to the right help at the right time and place.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Access Line by dialing  **ASK and you will be connected with a licensed clinician.

This helps us to support our local community hospitals and keep our Emergency Rooms free for those who need them the most during the COVID- 19 pandemic. Please know that you are not alone and many people are struggling with adapting to all life changes large and small.

While COVID-19 has been a difficult experience for us as a whole, I am inspired by my colleagues, Stokes Community Partners and the Stokes Community at how far everyone will go to provide support to those in need. We truly are in this all together!”

Amanda Smith, a stokes county resident, member engagement specialist for cardinal innovations healthcare, stokes wellness center
OUR FIRST CONTRIBUTOR WAS DR. MICHELLE LINKOUS OF NOVANT HEALTH PEDIATRICS IN KING AND CAN BE FOUND HERE.
OUR SECOND CONTRIBUTOR WAS SHELLY GREENWOOD, MOTHER OF AN AT-RISK CHILD AND STOKES COUNTY RESIDENT AND CAN BE FOUND HERE.
OUR THIRD CONTRIBUTOR WAS DR. AMBER HAIRFORD FAMILY PHYSICIAN AND ASSOCIATE LEAD CLINICIAN OF MOUNTAINVIEW MEDICAL/PILOT MOUNTAIN MEDICAL CARE AND CAN BE FOUND HERE.
our fourth contributor was janna kiger, at-risk young adult and stokes county resident.
A COLLECTION OF OUR LOCAL PEOPLE, LOCAL STORIES, LOCAL IMPACT CAN BE FOUND ON OUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH PAGE HERE.

Stokes: Stay Home. Stay Safe. Save Lives. Part 2

In our series of Local People, Local Stories, Local Impact, we asked Shelly Greenwood, mother of an at-risk child, about COVID-19 and it’s direct impact on their family.

  1. What are you and your family doing in Stokes County to address COVID-19? 
  2. Why is it important that our community take these measures? 
  3. What is something positive you have seen in midst of chaos of COVID-19 as we navigate this together?

“Our daughter, Elizabeth, was born with several major heart defects. Therefore we live in a state of fear quite a bit of the time. She is more susceptible to illness and those illnesses such as the flu, pneumonia and even the common cold can land us at Duke University Hospital for weeks at a time. For our part of COVID-19 we are being very vocal about ways to help keep families like us, as well as healthy families, safe. We are using our social media as platforms to get the word out that we believe that social distancing will help keep the spread of this virus to smaller numbers.”

As for our family, we are staying home, practicing good  hand washing, removing shoes outside and other healthy practices.

“I believe that it is important that we take the safety measures that have been put into place in order to protect ourselves, our families and our community. So many of these practices are things that families with children with special needs or children that are medical compromised are doing daily.  Especially during the winter months.”

“I am in awe of the community spirit that has come out of the COVID-19 pandemic.  We are once again checking on our neighbors, shopping for each other as needed, and being kind to one another as a whole. As hard and sad as this has been for our country and our little community, I feel as though this has also brought us closer.  Perhaps we remember some of those beautiful traits that our grandparents and great grandparents practiced on a daily basis.  It is my hope that we will continue to be kind and thoughtful of one another once this is all over and we go back to whatever our normal is.”

I understand that these times are hard, but for the safety of my daughter, my family and other families like mine, it is imperative that we follow the guidelines set forth by the CDC and the government.
Shelly Greenwood, a Stokes County resident and mother of an at-risk child

 

For the first part of this series, comments from Dr. Michelle Linkous, click here.

 

 

Stokes: Stay Home. Stay Safe. Save Lives.

In our series of Local People, Local Stories, Local Impact, we asked Dr. Michelle Linkous from Novant Health Pediatrics in King about COVID-19 and how it relates to Stokes County.

 

  1. What are you and/or your agency doing here in Stokes County to address COVID-19? 
  2. Why is it important that our community take these measures? 
  3. What is something positive you have seen in midst of chaos of COVID-19 as we navigate this together?

 

 

“Novant Health Pediatrics King has modified our clinic’s operation and schedules to reduce the risk of exposure to our patients and our staff.  We are seeing only healthy children for well checks from 0-6 months in clinic.  All other well visits and concerns are being addressed by video and telemedicine.  We no longer allow siblings to attend in office visits with patients and we are limiting all visits to one healthy adult with their child.

We are encouraging all families to stay home!  The COVID-19 pandemic has changed a lot about the way we do “life” but it is important to listen to the authorities and follow their recommendations.

We know that a patient with COVID-19 is contagious days before they become symptomatic and 80% of children with COVID-19 are known to have mild symptoms.  Because of this, we urge and beg you to stay home to protect yourself and those that you love.  Leave your house for only ESSENTIAL trips and go ALONE.  Stay six feet away from other people at all times, do not touch your face and wash your hands immediately when you leave a store.  Avoid play dates, parks and all social gatherings.

Many people have seen information about “flattening the curve”.  All of the efforts to keep people at home have been done to accomplish just this.  If we can reduce the number of cases of COVID-19 and limit its transmission, we can keep people healthy and avoid unnecessary hospitalizations and deaths.  At this time, the only way to reduce transmission is by limiting individuals contact with one another so please stay home!

Instead of saying “we are stuck at home”, change your mentality! Start telling your children and your family/friends that you are “safe at home”.

Try to make the most out of the time you are spending with your kids!  Our routines have changed but life will be busy again soon enough. I think we all deserve time to slow down, relax and enjoy our families. My son and I are taking on a 2000 piece puzzle!  What new adventure could you start with your kids?”

Dr Michelle Linkous
Novant Health Pediatrics King is on Facebook.