Bring Your Own - Do Not Share! Tips every parent should know about play dates during COVID – pass it on.​

Are Play Dates OK During COVID?
About now many parents are thinking their children could use some new people scenery, but is it safe? Unfortunately, it will take quite a bit of time to be fully safe without worry. Making it as safe as possible is the next best thing.


Fortunately John Rodarte, MD, with Descanso Pediatrics/Huntington Health Physicians in La Canada Flintridge, just wrote an article about this subject. John happens to be my nephew and he has had an incredible career.  He has 26 years of experience in the medical field.

These are a few factors parents should keep in mind before having play dates:

1. What is your own family’s risk? Do you have elderly people at home, or someone with a chronic disease? This is also important to know about the family you are having the play date with. If the answer is yes, then play dates at this time may not be wise.
2. What is the prevalence in your community? If many new cases, it is wise to postpone the play date.
3. What is the age of the children? With children that are toddlers it is more difficult to keep masks on and socially distance themselves.

When going forward with the play dates, these tips can help make it easier:

• Have play dates outdoors for better ventilation and space to distance 6 feet apart
• Pools are felt to be safe with proper adult supervision, since chlorination kills off the virus
• Hand sanitizer should be readily available and/or have frequent hand washing breaks
• Children over age 2 should keep a mask on especially when unable to be 6 feet apart
• Keep your play dates to a select small group of people you know well, and who do not feel uncomfortable discussing their exposure history with you prior to the play date.

YES IT IS OKAY TO BRING YOUR OWN AND DO NOT SHARE!

• Snacks and drinks
• Play items
• If gaming bring your own game or controller is safer
• Consider other things you can bring your own and not share

I hope this gives you a little more to think about when weighing the risks of play dates for your children.  It is never easy being a parent when it comes to making decisions. Now more than ever, adjusting to the pandemic brings lots of things to consider. These guidelines can help you decide what is best for your family to keep ALL OF YOU safe.
 
Reference:
John Rodarte, MD, with Descanso Pediatrics/Huntington Health Physicians in La Canada Flintridge - View and read his full article at L.A. Parent-August 2020, you will find the article on page 15 titled DOC TALK Tips & Advice with John Rodarte, M.D.


Submitted by Norma Ames
MOTAL Executive Assistant and
Project and Exhibition Manager