I'm so worried about the Coronavirus. How can I protect my toddler?

[HotChocolatemarshmallows]

I'm washing my hands at every given opportunity and never touch my face when out etc (following all the guidelines set out) but how do you protect a toddler? My 1 year old touches everything and puts everything in his mouth! It's so hard to stop him doing what's perfectly normal to him. It's really worrying me. I can stop going out the house for the next few weeks /months or how ever long this will continue. What's the answer?

Try getting this post moved to the coronavirus topic firstly.

It honestly sounds like you’re doing the right things to help.

Also rest assured that it is looking like children will be the category that are least affected by the virus (but can still pick it up and pass it on to the vulnerable people so still remain vigilant)

What you say is correct, it comes naturally to him to put things in his mouth, this is partly what will protect him because he will build immunity from that sort of behaviour.

you do what you are doing and you do not stop going out of the house. Do that and he'll get fat and vitamin D deficient as well as both of you going stir-crazy!

Children seem to be an anomaly for this virus. Every where seems to be reporting that children don’t appear to be as affected as adults.

I don’t know what the rates are for children developing pneumonia are normally but it seems to be the susceptibility of developing pneumonia that is making this dangerous.

I think most posters on MN’s concerns are for their children but in truth it will probably be more about our capability to look after them if we’re sick. Don’t lock yourselves up until you need to, if you do need a couple of weeks to recuperate it’ll be much harder.

We'll move this over to the Coronavirus topic for you.

I'm afraid that, unless you are going to stay indoors, and away from any family members who have been outside, that you honestly can't.

But it is not looking like it is very serious in children; what is making you worry about your toddler specifically as all the evidence suggests that it is the older generation plus the immune suppressed who seem to be worst affected?

Wash your toddler's hands every time you wash yours, that's what I'm doing with my baby who is crawling. So far he's really enjoying this new game of getting a quick splash in the water!

Your toddler is at far less risk than your grandma. Use sensible hygiene and he’ll be fine.

Yes your toddler will be fine. Even very young children who have already been ill and have got it, have got better. For healthy children it is no worse than the usual viruses going round. I would be more concerned about not taking your toddler to visit any elderly or vulnerable relatives.