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We have been worried about impact of the coronavirus pandemic on our older population. A significant percentage of people who have become seriously ill or died are seniors with other health issues.

There is growing concern, though, about children – and the long-term effects of contracting the virus, even when the symptoms are mild. Research shows that while rare, children can become very sick with COVID-19, and even die.

Also, children without symptoms might be carriers of the virus – easily spreading it to their parents, grandparents and other adult family members.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, about 11 percent of patients with COVID-19 are children. Children make up 1 to 3.6 percent of total reported COVID-19, hospitalizations, and between 0.6 and 6.9 percent of all child COVID-19 cases resulted in hospitalization. Here is some information you need to know as a parent:

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As the percentage of Hoosiers testing positive for the coronavirus continues to exceed double-digits, chances are higher someone in your home may become infected.

The symptoms of COVID-19 range from mild to severe, and many people testing positive ride out the illness at home. That means family members and others in the household need to provide care while protecting themselves from the highly contagious pandemic virus.

If others in your home contract the coronavirus, here are ways to help them as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Indiana State Board of Health:

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Holidays just aren’t the same when you have lost a loved one.

Though coping with the emptiness is challenging every day, the grief can be perplexing and overwhelming during this time of year.

One minute, you are fine and seem to have hope. The next, a yuletide song on the television leaves you heartbroken.

We also are feeling a sense of loss during the Covid-19 pandemic. Chances are you know someone who has been ill or passed away from the virus. At the very least, you are grieving the loss of a normal life - like not seeing family and friends while you are staying home.

Grief during the holidays is especially profound in a year of loss. However, it can also linger for years. That’s because holidays mark the passage of time in our lives, according to Grief.com. “They are part of the milestones we share with each other and they generally represent time spent with family. They bring meaning to certain days and we bring much meaning back to them.”

So how do you cope? Is there a way you can have an enjoyable holiday following the death of a spouse, partner, family member or friend?

Here is some advice that might help:

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Maybe you are taking all precautions possible to prevent the infection of Covid-19. Maybe you are wearing a mask while in the public, staying socially distant from others and washing your hands often.

But if you are a smoker, have you considered stopping to reduce the risk of getting or having complications from the coronavirus?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that adults of any age with certain underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19.

We don’t know exactly, yet, the correlation between smoking and COVID-19. But this is certain at this time, according to Department of Health and Human Services and the CDC:

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The Coronavirus COVID-19 infection continues to rapidly spread locally, nationally and internationally. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Indiana State Department of  Health are working 24/7 to deal with the pandemic, while also educating the public about the disruptions to our daily lives.

We should continue to treat this matter seriously as we see the infection grow in our communities.

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While the benefits of wearing a mask during the Covid-19 outbreak has been politically controversial, the science is clear.

The mask, when worn by everyone while in the public, is an important tool in the fight against this pandemic.

There were many unknowns in the initial wave of this health crisis. Researchers were uncertain whether a mask protected people from the airborne drops containing the coronavirus.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention initially said wearing masks was essential in preventing people who were infected with coronavirus — whether they know it or not — from spreading it to others.

New research touted by the CDC now indicates the wearer gets some protection, too. We know now that wearing one in the public helps protect everyone.

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One of the most common frustrations for parents is when they have a picky eater on their hands. How common is it for a child to be considered a picky eater? In a study of 120 children who were studied from the age of 2 to 11, up to 22% of them were labeled a picky eater at one stage or another in their development. 

Picky eating typically means that a child refuses to eat certain foods often or insists on eating the same foods over and over. While picky eating usually peaks in the toddler and preschool years, sometimes it can carry over into adulthood as well. 

Parents may worry that their picky eater is not getting adequate nutrition for their growth and development, but in most cases, he is. However, it’s still important to address the issue in order to avoid nightly power struggles at the dinner table, not to mention the possibility that your child might develop a limited diet that could last their entire life. 

If you find yourself at your wit’s end with your child when it comes to meal time, here are eight  things you can do (and avoid) to help broaden your child’s diet.

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Pretty soon, most of us are going to be moving into the time of year when days get shorter, weather becomes colder and unpredictable, and opportunities for going outside to be active diminish rapidly. 

Even though the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 60 minutes of activity a day for children, Covid-19 has definitely thrown a wrench into those plans. This winter looks like it will be particularly challenging for parents since the pandemic has moved a lot of PE classes online and taken away their much-needed recess.

While you may be confined indoors for long stretches this winter, there are still a lot of ways you can encourage your child to stay active for their physical and emotional well-being. Here are a few of the “out of the box” ways you can motivate your child to keep moving and stay healthy at this critical time.

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Everyone knows that getting adequate sleep is essential for good health no matter your age. However, it’s especially important for children to get enough good, quality sleep for their growth and development. 

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, only 48% of children in the United States are getting the recommended nine hours of sleep most nights. What can this lack of sleep cause down the road? According to the Centers for Disease Control, not getting enough sleep could put your child at risk for Type 2 diabetes, poor mental health and attention problems. 

The good news is that there are a lot of things you can do to make sure your child is getting the recommended amount of good sleep every night. Here are some of our best tips for making sure your child gets to sleep quickly and stays asleep through the night.

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Being a parent is difficult on the best of days. However, during a pandemic, it might be one of the most overwhelming jobs you have. Many parents are struggling with figuring out the new territory of challenges while also trying to create a sense of normalcy for their children when life is far from normal. 

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