Discuss COVID honestly with kids

I am a pediatric infectious disease doctor at the Department of Pediatrics at UT Health San Antonio. I know that parents and other caregivers struggle with how to talk to kids about coronavirus.

I recommend we stay honest with them. Being smart about this virus will save lives — maybe your own, your parent's or your child's. Here are some suggestions when answering kids' questions:

Even young children can understand germs. COVID-19, or the novel coronavirus, is caused by a germ that spreads in the air between people. When we sneeze or cough, we spray germs in the air around us. If other people breathe those germs, they can get sick. If we touch our noses or mouths with our hands and then touch other things such as doorknobs, we can spread the virus.

Most people who get sick only have a little cold, but they should stay home so they don't spread the germ. A few people will get really sick with a bad cough, a fever, and sometimes a hard time breathing. A lot of people have died because of this virus, especially grandparents, overweight people and people who have other health problems.

The good thing is that most kids don't get very sick. In fact, a lot of children who have this virus feel fine. However, some young people and children have died, so we shouldn't discount its importance in kids. Plus, they can spread it. What can kids do to stop it?

Wear a mask. Nobody really likes wearing one, but it's the best way we have to stop the virus from floating in the air to others. It can also block some of the virus from getting inside you. It's important to wear it right: cover your nose and your mouth. Wear it when you're indoors anywhere other than your own house, or when a friend comes to your house to play indoors. Wear it when you're in a place where you are close to other people. You don't need to wear one outside when you are not around other people. Pick out a mask you like, so you know you look cool.

Social distancing means trying to keep a little more space between people so the virus can't get to you. Here's how to keep your body a safe distance from others: reach your arms out wide, and have your friend reach her arms out wide. Stay far enough that you can't reach each other's hands. If you can touch each other's fingertips, you're too close.

Wash your hands whenever you see a sink or hand sanitizer. Use a tissue to cover your cough or sneeze (and put it in the trash, then wash your hands). Avoid touching your face (nose, mouth, eyes) — this is harder than you think. Don't do high fives or shake hands. You can do a thumbs up or come up with your own way that doesn't involve touching.

At school, if you can eat lunch outside, that's safer than eating inside. If you can't, try not to sit right next to someone else. Wear your mask in the classroom and in the hallways and bathrooms. And remember, if you think you just have a cold, it is better to stay at home.

No sport is 100 percent safe, because you have to be around other people. Safer activities are outside, where you can stay apart from other people. Safer sports are swimming, golf, outdoor sports such as tennis or track, where you run on a field, not close to others. Mostly safe: soccer, baseball, kickball — outdoor sports where you are mostly far away from other people. Also, some indoor sports where you can wear a mask or don't contact others might be less risky: bowling, yoga, gymnastics. Not safe: basketball, football, wrestling, volleyball.

When children ask you a question about COVID-19, by all means, answer them. This pandemic thankfully won't last forever, but your kids will always appreciate having been told the truth.