COVID-19 Pandemic: Parents and children amid the deadly coronavirus | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Thursday
May 29, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2025
Parents and children amid the deadly coronavirus

Coronavirus chronicle

TBS Report
23 March, 2020, 11:45 am
Last modified: 23 March, 2020, 02:33 pm

Related News

  • Adolescence: A series parents must see
  • Tsunami warning for far-south Chile after 7.5-magnitude quake
  • Dozens of fires rage in southern Chile
  • Miscreant enters home, hacks 3 people including journalist’s parents in Faridpur
  • Workers strike at world's biggest copper mine in Chile

Parents and children amid the deadly coronavirus

"Even though I'm a doctor, who knows the facts and science well, as a mother, I still feel very stressed and anxious when my own child is poorly"

TBS Report
23 March, 2020, 11:45 am
Last modified: 23 March, 2020, 02:33 pm
Photo: Reuters
Photo: Reuters

Dr Punam Krishan, a general practitioner doctor and also a senior clinical lecturer has discuss  about children and how parents should take care them in the time of the deadly coronavirus.

Children are always prime of catching infections and minor illnesses. This is because their immune systems are fairly immature at birth and only develop fully over time. Parents'  natural instinct is  to protect them in any way possible. 

Their resilience against infection develops and matures through engaging in set vaccination programmes - depending on which country you live in - but also through being exposed to a spectrum of common viruses and bacteria, reported Al Jazeera.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

Whether it is the common cold, tonsillitis, ear infections, chest infections, chicken pox, gastroenteritis or hand, foot and mouth disease, kids catch and share whatever they pick up.

"Even though I'm a doctor, who knows the facts and science well, as a mother, I still feel very stressed and anxious when my own child is poorly," she stated.

It is no wonder, then, that amid a global pandemic, where we are facing a fight against a virus that we know little about, parents may be feeling overwhelming fear and anxiety.

I am being inundated with questions and worries from patients about how COVID-19 will affect their children. It is difficult to reassure them because we know so little about this virus and the situation is constantly evolving. 

However, so far the research has consistently shown that children seem to be largely unharmed by COVID-19. 

A recent study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics looked at more than 2,000 children with confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 which had been reported to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention between January 16 and February 8.

Of the 2,143 cases, 90 percent were either reported to have no symptoms or only mild (fever, fatigue, muscle aches, cough, sore throat, runny nose, and sneezing) to moderate (with pneumonia, frequent fevers, variable cough and shortness of breath) symptoms. These children were reported to make a full recovery with no complications.

Children of all ages were shown to be susceptible to contracting the coronavirus, which is to be expected as with any infectious disease. 
We learned that four percent of children showed no symptoms at all however there was a small number - 125 children, or six percent - who developed more serious symptoms. In these cases, the infection progressed to compromise other organs of the body including the gastrointestinal system, the kidneys, the heart and lungs. A small number (0.4 percent) of these children required critical care support due to potential multi-organ and respiratory failure. 

Sadly, there was one death among the sample - a 14-year-old who had tested positive for the virus. Unfortunately, there is no information about any potential underlying health conditions in this case. 

This is the largest study to date, so it gives us a good impression of the spread of the coronavirus in children.

However, with the rapid spread of this illness on such a global scale, we need more data as soon as possible to learn more.
We are continually updating our knowledge about this virus and how it will affect our children and about whether exposure to coronavirus will cause them any long-term complications. 

So much is still unknown. For now, however, the data shows that serious complications in those aged under 19 are rare.

Children can pass the virus on 

Even if they show no symptoms, children are highly effective "super spreaders" of this virus mainly because of how they mobilise around society. They are curious by nature, are highly sociable, touch everything and love physical contact.

This places the more vulnerable members of their families and communities at risk. 

People over the age of 70 have a significantly higher chance of developing serious complications because this group generally tends to be more frail or have other long-term health problems which make them more vulnerable. 

This is the same for those who have compromised immune systemssecondary to conditions such as cancer or those with other underlying medical problems such as lung disease, heart disease and diabetes. 

A large proportion of this age group will be grandparents or relatives who are in contact with young children.

In the UK, pregnant women have now been placed in the high-risk category and, of course, many of these women, too, will have other children who could be bringing home the virus.

The issue is that many of those in the high-risk, vulnerable categories are also relatives or carers for the young so we must appreciate the need to implement measures such as social distancing, as challenging and as daunting as that may seem.
This combination could be deadly. So what can you do to protect your kids as well as your elders?

Ensure that you are educating your children, where possible, about the importance of self-protection. 
Teach them how to meticulously wash their hands and avoid touching their faces. As a mum, I fully appreciate this is not an easy ask but keep the reminders going. Repetition is key.

Everybody should practise social distancing and avoid close contact with others, even those you think are well, because at this stage we simply do not know who has it and who does not.

It is especially important to keep children away from those who are unwell, have underlying medical problems, are on medications that are suppressing their immune systems and those who are over the age of 70.

Children are transmitters through no fault of their own. It is up to us, their carers and parents, to help limit the spread of the coronavirus as much as possible. 

I appreciate how uncertain these times feel but we are being guided by world experts on a daily basis. We must remain hopeful and relay this to our youngsters so we can continue to enjoy family life, albeit in a slightly different way, for now.

Top News

Coronavirus / Parents / Chile

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Representational Photo: Collected
    Tax gap between listed and non-listed firms may widen to 7.5% 
  • Officials protest inside the Secretariat on Tuesday, 27 May 2025, over a government ordinance amending the Public Service Act, 2018. Photo: Rajib Dhar
    Secretariat staff observe 1-hr work abstention
  • Representational image. Freepik
    Govt likely to trim subsidies in new budget

MOST VIEWED

  • Google Pay. Photo: Collected
    Google Pay likely coming to Bangladesh soon
  • IFIC Bank receives Tk6,000 cr in new deposits in six months
    IFIC Bank receives Tk6,000 cr in new deposits in six months
  • Dhaka areas at a gridlock on Wednesday, 28 May 2025. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain/TBS
    BNP, Jamaat rallies: Traffic clogs Dhaka roads, including Motijheel, Paltan, Dainik Bangla intersection
  • Abdul Awal Mintoo, chairman of National Bank Limited. Sketch: TBS
    'Regulatory support must for National Bank to restore depositors' confidence'
  • Mohammad Abdul Mannan, chairman FSIB Ltd. Sketch: TBS
    FSIB to bounce back soon
  • Mohammad Mamdudur Rashid, managing director and CEO, UCB. Sketch: TBS
    Customers’ trust and confidence fueling deposit growth at UCB

Related News

  • Adolescence: A series parents must see
  • Tsunami warning for far-south Chile after 7.5-magnitude quake
  • Dozens of fires rage in southern Chile
  • Miscreant enters home, hacks 3 people including journalist’s parents in Faridpur
  • Workers strike at world's biggest copper mine in Chile

Features

In recent years, the Gor-e-Shaheed Eidgah has emerged as a strong contender for the crown of the biggest Eid congregation in the country, having hosted 600,000 worshippers in 2017. Photo: TBS

Gor-e-Shaheed Boro Maath: The heart of Dinajpur

2d | Panorama
The Hili Land Port, officially opened in 1997 but with trade roots stretching back to before Partition, has grown into a cornerstone of bilateral commerce.

Dhaka-Delhi tensions ripple across Hili’s markets and livelihoods

3d | Panorama
Photo: Collected

Desk goals: Affordable ways to elevate your study setup

3d | Brands
Built on a diamond-type frame, the Hornet 2.0 is agile but grounded. PHOTO: Asif Chowdhury

Honda Hornet 2.0: Same spirit, upgraded sting

3d | Wheels

More Videos from TBS

Low Pressure over the Bay of Bengal, Signal No. 3 Issued for Sea Ports

Low Pressure over the Bay of Bengal, Signal No. 3 Issued for Sea Ports

53m | TBS Today
The fight between two brothers; Adidas vs Puma

The fight between two brothers; Adidas vs Puma

11h | Others
Trump is again keen to make Canada the 51st state

Trump is again keen to make Canada the 51st state

12h | Others
Trump's tariff strategy and Europe's investment politics, violence or negotiation?

Trump's tariff strategy and Europe's investment politics, violence or negotiation?

14h | Others
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net