Dear parents, we write to you again this week with a single plea; let the kids understand what is happening or what is going on around them. 
Many kids do not know why they have been asked to stay at home without finishing their exams. Some were still in revision week before they were asked to stay at home by their school. Now, the children are at home without proper explanation or why they should stay at home.
We ask that you enlighten the children about this deadly coronavirus virus plaguing the world now. They need to understand as much as you can explain. Having an understanding of what we are all up against will even help them stay safe. Of course, we need the children to stay safe this period to avoid contacting the coronavirus. Dear parents, please explain to the children why they need to wash their hands more often. Let them know why it is not safe for them to play outside. It is not enough to ask them to stay inside and avoid going outside to play. The children need to know the dangers in going outside to play this period. This will help them stay put inside the house even when they have the urge to go out and play.
Once there is an understanding on the part of the children, they are sure going to try all means to stay safe.
Let them understand what social distancing is and why it is very necessary at this time. They will be careful and more alert. Parents who work may also be tempted to ship their kids off to a child care centre because they still have to go to work. We want to pause and ask this question; how safe is that child care centre? Are there guarantees that someone who has come in contact with another person who has come in contact with one who has the coronavirus does not have a child in that daycare? Do you want to put your child at risk? What then can parents do, you may ask?
Parents can get a guide or live-in help to watch over the children for the time being. Relations who can live with you for this period is also a good idea. Think of that cousin or niece or nephew in the higher institution. You may have to plead with them to come stay with your children till things normalize again. I am sure there will be someone who will not mind helping.
Dear parents, this is not the time to ‘ship’ the children off to any learning centre or vocational school. They need to stay safe and healthy. Everyone is at risk of contracting coronavirus and we must try to stay as safe as much possible. Whatever is in our power to do, we have to do it until this virus passes. The lesser the contact with infected persons, the lesser the risk of getting infected. There are people who don’t show the symptoms but are infected. These ones are even more dangerous. Since there is no way to identify them, it is best we limit movement as much as we can. And no, taking them to your office or place of business is not any better. Do you know who they will certainly come in contact with there? This really is a dicey and difficult situation. However, we need to consider our children and their safety first. If there is no alternative as to where the children can stay, you have to take full responsibility of ensuring their health safety wherever they are.
Dear parents, remember to also enlighten the children who have access to a mobile phone or computer to censor what they read. Kindly remind them to have you run a check on any information they get from social media, before they act on it. As usual and even more this period, there are a lot of rumours and junk flying about in the guise of information. This is to ensure that they don’t consume any harmful substance or information because they want to guard themselves against coronavirus.
Please teach the children to always wash their hands, stay indoors as much as possible, sanitize their hands often when they have to go out (we assume you have equipped them with a sanitizer), prevent anybody from touching their face or hands indiscriminately.
Let’s all stay safe and ensure proper hygiene.
This virus too will pass away and we will survive it.
Do tell the kids that Aunty Ugo loves them.
