Parents' Top Questions About Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Due to the concerning surge in community spread and the increased risk of getting or spreading the coronavirus, we strongly advise against gathering for the holidays this year. We encourage families to only interact in-person with people from your household, defined as the people who normally live and sleep under the same roof.

We understand that this is incredibly difficult during an already challenging year. Get tips and ideas on how to have a happy holiday season from our experts in mental health and child development.

As you plan for the 2020 holiday season, keep these COVID-19 prevention tips top of mind:

• Refrain from traveling and celebrate virtually with the people who don’t live with you.
• Wear a face covering and keep your distance while grocery shopping for holiday meals and gifts. Better yet, shop online.
• Keep an eye on the risks and spread in your area and always follow your local public health orders.
• Follow guidance for holiday celebrations from the CDC.

Alongside several other states, Colorado has seen a dramatic increase in COVID-19 cases this fall. According to projections by experts at CDPHE and the Colorado School of Public Health, in some counties, including Denver, the probability of encountering an infected person is higher than it was at any point since SARS-CoV-2 arrived in our state. This and several other measures, including hospitalizations, indicate that the coronavirus is spreading quickly.

State officials are again concerned about a surge in cases that could overwhelm Colorado hospitals. If intensive care units and hospitals become overwhelmed, it will not only strain the ability to treat patients with COVID-19 but patients with other conditions and emergencies, too. This is why local leaders and public health agencies are taking steps to reduce transmission and contain the spread of COVID-19. It’s likely that Colorado counties will make changes to their public health guidelines and restrictions if the virus continues to spread. (Here’s how to check the stay-at-home status of your county.)

There are several reasons why experts are concerned:

• Colder winter weather means that we’ll be spending more time inside where it’s more difficult to maintain distance and easier for the virus to spread.
• The holiday season is approaching, and many people will be visiting with family and friends. This increases the chances that the virus will spread between groups, especially when many people do not know they have the virus because they don’t have symptoms.
• Flu and other seasonal viruses will also be circulating, which will increase the burden on healthcare systems.
• We’re all tired. Now many months into the pandemic, the effects are wearing on us and it’s easier to feel complacent.

Now – and in the coming months – it will take all of us to do our part to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Colorado. Please ensure that your family and your children are following public health guidelines and taking steps to protect your family from getting sick.

How to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The news about the vaccine trials and that we may be able to expect emergency authorization for one or more vaccines in mid- to late-December is promising. However, it will take time to ensure that the vaccine is safe and effective for all groups. Additional trials will be necessary, including trials that include children.

Also remember that even when an effective vaccine becomes available, it will take time to vaccinate millions of people. We’ll need to begin by distributing the vaccine to people who are more likely to be exposed to the coronavirus – like healthcare workers – and those who are more likely to become severely ill with COVID-19 – like the elderly. It’s up to each state to propose how they will distribute the vaccine once it becomes more widely available. Learn about Colorado’s plans from CDPHE.

It will likely take many more months before the general population, including healthy kids, can be vaccinated against COVID-19. There is limited information about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in children, and studies are ongoing. Preventive measures like handwashing and social distancing remain crucial for these reasons.

Here’s what the CDC has to say on developing a vaccine against COVID-19.

Read more in our COVID-19 vaccine update.

Quarantine separates people who have been exposed to COVID-19 and may still develop illness from others. So, if you come into contact with someone who has COVID-19 or find out later that you were exposed to someone who had COVID-19, you should enter quarantine.

This is different from isolation, which separates people who are sick from others. Both quarantine and isolation are incredibly important for containing the spread of infectious diseases like the coronavirus.

Because coronavirus symptoms can appear between 2 and 14 days after an exposure, the recommended quarantine period is also 14 days.

In early December, the CDC published additional options to reduce the length of quarantine, but only with symptom monitoring and diagnostic testing. The reduced quarantine allows more flexibility for people who need to participate in essential activities. This should not impact the average child. 

You should only shorten quarantine in order to participate in essential activities in specific situations. The new guidance means:

1. If you do not develop symptoms after 10 days of quarantine, even without a test, you can end quarantine on day 10.
2. If you do not develop symptoms AND you receive a negative PCR or antigen test between days 5 and 7, you can end quarantine on day 7. 

Important: Under no circumstances should you end quarantine before 7 full days have passed since the exposure.

A full 14-day quarantine remains the safest and most effective way to reduce possible spread. If your child or family can maintain a 2-week quarantine, we highly encourage it. If you develop symptoms of the coronavirus during quarantine, you should isolate yourself and get tested.

People staying in communal settings that present higher risk such as nursing homes, jails and shelters should quarantine for 14 full days and should not shorten quarantine.

Learn how to quarantine and how to isolate from CDPHE.

The safest option is to remain quarantined for a full 14 days. This is because the incubation period for the coronavirus (the time it takes to show symptoms and trigger a positive test) can take up to 14 days. 

If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 but do not develop symptoms after 7 days, keep these scenarios in mind:

Safest / Lowest Risk Assumes no symptoms	Safer / Lower Risk Assumes no symptoms	Safe / Low Risk Assumes no symptoms
Stay away from others for a full 14 days. After 14 days without symptoms, you can safely end quarantine. Continue taking precautions to protect yourself from COVID-19.	Stay away from others for a full 14 days. If you still do not have symptoms after 10 days, it is relatively safe to end quarantine, even if you did not get a test. Continue to: Monitor yourself for symptoms Wear a mask or cloth face covering Stay 6 feet away from others Note: People staying in communal settings such as nursing homes, jails and shelters should not shorten quarantine.	Stay away from others for at least 7 days. Get tested between day 5 and 7 after the exposure. If your test results are negative, you can end quarantine on day 7. Continue to: Monitor yourself for symptoms Wear a mask or cloth face covering Stay 6 feet away from others Note: People staying in communal settings such as nursing homes, jails and shelters should not shorten quarantine.

Based on scientific evidence, we now know that tiny droplets containing SARS-CoV-2 can remain in the air for minutes or hours in a poorly ventilated area. When someone gets sick after breathing in these tiny droplets it is called airborne transmission. The CDC recently updated their website with this new information.

It’s important to note that the most common way COVID-19 spreads – through larger respiratory droplets when people are in close contact – has not changed. Airborne transmission is less common than close contact.

Here’s what this means for kids and families:

• Continue taking the same precautions: cleaning hands, wearing face coverings, staying 6 feet away from others, staying home if you’re sick, avoiding large gatherings and cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
• In addition, avoid crowded indoor spaces and make sure indoor areas are properly ventilated: When you are inside with people you don’t live with, like in restaurants, offices and schools, make sure there is good airflow via proper ventilation and/or open windows and doors.
• Socialize outside, not inside: When possible, meet friends and family outdoors. And yes: You should still stay 6 feet away from people you do not live with and wear your face covering.

Remember, taking these preventive steps together is the most effective way to protect yourself and your family from getting sick.

Based on the latest information from Colorado school districts, COVID-19 transmission within schools has been limited when proper precautions are in place. While the number of school outbreaks is increasing, this is not necessarily unexpected given the recent increase in community spread and because more schools are beginning in-person learning. Each district should work with their public health department to determine if and when schools should close.

The data suggest that outbreaks of the coronavirus in schools and districts tend to mirror the spread in the surrounding community. This means that in Colorado we haven’t seen much evidence that schools are driving an increase in community spread or that younger children attending school are spreading the virus widely in the state. This is good news, and it demonstrates the importance of preventive measures like face coverings, physical distancing, screening and learning cohorts (sometimes called pods) – and using all prevention methods available together for optimal protection.

The bottom line is that the risk of COVID-19 spread in schools depends on precautions in place and how well everyone in the school is following guidelines. While no public health measure can prevent all risk, we can add layers of protection to reduce risk, and we should do so as much as possible. Spread can vary greatly between schools and districts, and we encourage families to closely follow guidance from your school, district and local health department. Be prepared for changes to the plan as the winter months unfold and if cases begin rising.

We’re still learning about multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and how it may be related to the coronavirus. Here’s what we know about MIS-C.

Common coronavirus symptoms include fever, cough, muscle aches, headache and tiredness. Some people also develop shortness of breath and loss of smell and taste.

Learn the most common coronavirus symptoms in children and how they may differ from adults.

People develop symptoms to COVID-19 between 2 and 14 days after exposure (5 days on average). This is called the coronavirus incubation period. Most people will get better within a few weeks, but those with a severe case of the disease may take a month or more to recover.

The good news is that most children tend to have milder forms of the illness. COVID-19 in kids up to 18 years of age ranges from infection without symptoms, to mild upper respiratory symptoms with runny nose and cough, to pneumonia requiring hospitalization.

In general, babies can be at a higher risk for any respiratory infection. According to the limited data available about COVID-19, current literature suggests this illness has been mild for most young children.

We have much to learn about COVID-19 during pregnancy and in infants. Based on what we’ve learned so far:

• There have been reports of pregnancy complications for some women who tested positive for COVID-19 while pregnant. We do not know if they were related to the coronavirus.
• It is uncommon for newborns born to mothers with COVID-19 to develop COVID-19.
• Some babies have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, but we do not know when they got the virus.
• Most newborns who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 had mild or no symptoms, but there are reports of newborns with severe cases of COVID-19.

There is some evidence that pregnant women may be at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 compared to non-pregnant people and that there may be increased for adverse outcomes like preterm birth. If you’re pregnant, you (and those you live with) should take steps to prevent COVID-19.

The CDC explains the pregnancy, breastfeeding and caring for newborns during the pandemic.

Adults older than 65 years of age and those with underlying medical conditions have shown more serious coronavirus symptoms and are at higher risk.

Why is the coronavirus more dangerous to older people than younger people?

We’re still learning about the virus and why it is more dangerous to certain groups. In the video below, 10-year-old Mia wants to know why the coronavirus might be more dangerous for older people. Pediatric infectious disease specialist Dr. Sean O’Leary talks about how the coronavirus seems to affect people of different ages.

Children with certain underlying medical conditions may be at higher risk of becoming severely ill if they get COVID-19. Learn what we know about kids who are at higher risk from COVID-19.

My child has an underlying condition; how can I protect them?

In addition to taking everyday precautions to prevent COVID-19, we recommend the following tips to parents of kids with chronic illness:

Stock up on medications

It’s a good idea to make sure you have refilled your child's prescriptions and have at least a two-week supply of medications on hand. Only start or stop medications with your doctor’s recommendation.

Keep up with your routine clinic visits

Children’s Colorado has reactivated most services that were suspended temporarily due to the coronavirus pandemic. Learn more about our phased reopening of in-person pediatric services. Then, read how we’re exercising all precautions to keep patients, families and our team members safe.

Note that we strongly recommend that your child continues to receive regular well-child examinations with their primary care provider.

What to do if your child is ill

If your child has symptoms of a cold or fever but it is not an emergency, call your primary care provider or your care team at Children's Colorado to get advice. Remember that other respiratory viruses that are not the coronavirus will continue to make children ill in the community and are still common causes of fever and respiratory symptoms.

The good news is that most patients with the coronavirus are not sick enough to require hospitalization or an emergency department visit, and their symptoms can be managed at home.

Families with children who have special considerations when they get a fever (such as children with a central line or those undergoing treatment for cancer) should continue to handle fever as they would under normal circumstances.

Remain prepared

The pandemic could last for a long time. Public health measures are intended to reduce likelihood of person-to-person contact, and when you have someone in your home who may be more likely to get sick, it’s also important to take additional precautions as a family.

Staying at home is the safest option to avoid exposure, so ensure you have enough stock of prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, medical supplies, household items and groceries. Please note that hoarding is not advised, as it affects the supply chain and limits other people from getting essential items.

The inflammatory condition is called multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, or MIS-C for short. We do not fully understand MIS-C and how it’s related to the coronavirus.

The most prominent symptom of this syndrome is prolonged high fever. Children may also develop a rash and experience abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting. Fortunately, parents can be reassured that MIS-C is rare and there are treatments that have been successful in making kids better.

We now know that COVID-19 spreads through close contact and, less commonly, through airborne transmission. Some people can transmit the virus before they have symptoms or even if they have no symptoms at all. Learn more about how COVID-19 spreads.

We still have many questions about how the immune system reacts to the new coronavirus. While it isn’t common, findings from some recent studies suggest that it is possible to be infected a second time. Until we learn more, parents and caregivers should continue taking steps to prevent COVID-19, even if your child has had a confirmed case of in the past and even if they have a positive antibody test.

In the video below, pediatric infectious disease specialist Dr. Sean O’Leary explains how our immunity to various viruses can differ.

Just like preventive methods to prevent the spread of other respiratory viruses, the CDC recommends taking the following precautions, together:

• Get the flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older. This will be especially important this year.
• Practice good hand hygiene.
  • Use hand sanitizer or wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Remind children to do this after going to the bathroom, before eating and after blowing their nose, coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes.
• Wear a cloth face covering when you're with people you don't live with, like with friends, at school or in public.
• Avoid contact with people who are ill.
• Stay home when you are sick. If you get sick, get tested.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces in your home frequently.
• Avoid large gatherings. If you do socialize, do so outside, not inside.
• Practice safe social distancing by remaining at least 6 feet away from people you don’t live with.

Answering kids’ questions about social distancing

In the video below, 11-year-old Eileen wants to know why people have to stand 6 feet apart. Pediatric infectious disease specialist Dr. Sean O’Leary explains why a distance of 6 feet helps to prevent the spread of the coronavirus during close contact.

There are several COVID-19 tests now available, but how sensitive, specific and reliable each test is varies, sometimes greatly. We broke down the different types of COVID-19 tests including pros, cons and what to do based on your test result.

While there is no cure for the coronavirus, doctors are making progress finding new and effective treatments, such as steroids and the drug remdesivir. Learn about treatments for COVID-19.

There is a large international effort to develop a vaccine to prevent the coronavirus, but it will be several more months before the general public can receive the vaccine. Read about Operation Warp Speed and the process of developing a safe and effective vaccine.

When an effective vaccine against the coronavirus becomes available, it will take time to distribute the vaccine to the entire population. Groups that are more likely to be exposed or more likely to have severe illness, like healthcare workers and older people living in long-term care facilities, will be among the first to receive the vaccine. Healthy children will likely receive the vaccine much later since they are at lower risk of getting severely ill with COVID-19.

Answering kids’ questions about a coronavirus cure

In the video below, Caleb and Mia ask about when we will have a cure and what goes into a cure. Pediatric infectious disease specialist Dr. Sean O’Leary discusses a potential timeline for effective medication and a vaccine.

In the video below, 11-year-old Lylah asks pediatric infectious disease specialist Dr. Sean O’Leary if dogs can get the coronavirus. Dr. O’Leary discusses whether dogs can test positive for coronavirus, if they get symptoms and if they can spread it to other people.

Learn the latest on how the coronavirus affects animals and what to about your pets from the CDC.

In recent months, several news stories have focused on athletes who developed myocarditis (the swelling of the heart muscle) after getting sick with COVID-19. The CDC reports that severe heart damage has occurred in some young, healthy people that had the virus, but it has been rare. We do not yet know how these events may be related, and many experts are studying this issue.

We understand these reports are scary for parents. Children’s Colorado and others have issued cardiac screening guidelines for children and adolescents returning to play after a COVID-19 infection. While some pediatricians believe these guidelines are overly cautious, many pediatric cardiologists, including experts in our Heart Institute, recommend remaining cautious until we know more. Read about when kids should receive cardiac screening before returning to athletics.

If you have questions about your child’s health and whether they may need to be screened, please call their primary care doctor for advice. The CDC has more on potential long-term effects of COVID-19.

The CDC has the most updated information on cases and deaths in the United States. Remember, this is an emerging and rapidly evolving situation. Look to your local health and safety authorities for guidance and updates in your area.

All confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Colorado are reported by CDPHE.

The pandemic could last for a long time – likely many more months and potentially several years. Until we can stop community spread or develop (and distribute) an effective vaccine across large populations, it will be very difficult to slow and stop this pandemic.

Though many of us are growing tired of staying home and other preventive measures, it’s crucial that we remain diligent and do our best to limit the spread of the coronavirus as much as possible. The fewer cases of COVID-19, the easier we can prevent others from getting sick and the sooner we can control the pandemic.

But don’t lose hope! Remember, like the 1918 flu pandemic and others before, this too shall pass.

• Remain diligent about prevention: Do not get lax about health guidelines and the many precautions in place.
• Get comfortable: Take steps to make your home comfy and comforting during the wintertime phase of social distancing.
• Take care of your mental health: We’re all experiencing stress and strain, and we all express it in different ways. Keep an eye on your family members’ feelings, behaviors and attitudes, and take steps to build resilience in yourself and your children. This parent toolkit has tips.
• Try to be flexible: Remember that things can change quickly during a public health crisis. By remaining open minded about change and doing your best to stay positive, you can help yourself adjust to changes in work, school, schedules and more.

Other tips for families:

• Keep a 2- to 4-week supply of prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, food and household supplies on hand. Please call your primary care provider if you have more questions about medications.
• Though it’s not as likely that communities will run out of things like protective equipment and toilet paper, some items make become scarce. Please remember not to hoard; this can affect the supply chain and prevent others from getting the items they need.

If your child is ill, first contact their primary care provider to discuss their symptoms and determine whether your child should be tested for the coronavirus.

If you do not have a pediatrician for your child or if you have questions about where to get care, nurses with our free ParentSmart Healthline™ at 720-777-0123 can help guide you, 24/7.

Learn about treatment for children with COVID-19.

If your child or another family member develops coronavirus symptoms, your family should isolate at home and you should contact your primary care provider to see if coronavirus testing is appropriate.

If you were in close contact with someone who develops COVID-19, you should stay in your home (also called quarantine) for 14 days after your last exposure to the infected person.

What should I do if my child has the coronavirus?

If you or your child tests positive for the coronavirus and you have mild symptoms, isolate at home and focus on relieving symptoms. Call your doctor if you or your child experience shortness of breath or if your symptoms get worse.

In a life-threatening emergency:

Call 911.

If you think your child may need urgent care*:

First, call your doctor's office or our free ParentSmart Healthline™ at 720-777-0123. They can recommend appropriate care and direct you to a clinic or urgent care facility, if needed.

*If you need to get care, call ahead to help doctors limit the potential spread of the coronavirus and keep all patients and health workers safe.

If you believe (or know) your child has been exposed to the coronavirus:

Call the state's hotline, CO-Help, at 303-389-1687 or 1-877-462-2911 for answers in many languages.

If you have general questions about the coronavirus and how it may impact your child:

Call our COVID-19 hotline at 720-777-2221.

If you need advice about your child’s medical care or potential COVID-19 symptoms:

Call your child’s pediatrician, who knows them best.

If you need general medical advice for your child and you do not have a primary care provider:

Call our free ParentSmart Healthline at 720-777-0123 to speak to an experienced pediatric nurse, 24/7.

Yes. Most people should wear cloth face coverings, including most children older than 2. Get the ins and outs about who should wear cloth face coverings with these common questions and answers about masks and kids.

Note: Face coverings are required for patients and visitors at all Children’s Colorado locations.

Effective April 28, visitors must wear a face covering at all Children’s Colorado locations. Please bring a face covering from home. We have a limited supply of face coverings for visitors who do not have one.

Watch the video below to help prepare your child for the different types of masks and face coverings they'll see when they come to our hospital. We encourage parents and kids to watch the video together and talk about what to expect.

Most parents have all the skills necessary to help kids deal with questions about the coronavirus and calm their fears. These coronavirus tips for parents from the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics can help:

• Be available: Parents should be accessible to their kids physically and emotionally. If a child is anxious about the coronavirus, nurturing and supportive parents provide a safe space to vent emotions.
• Decrease media usage: As feelings of panic or fear rise, extensive news media coverage can heighten those feelings – especially in children. Limit your family’s media consumption or consider watching TV after the kids go to bed.
• Display and promote stability: Kids look to their parents for cues on how to react. If parents are anxious, their children are likely to be nervous as well. Parents can help by projecting stability and calmness. Keeping a child's routine as normal as possible gives them a sense of stability and helps them feel safe.
• Be honest and open to kids’ fears: It’s okay for parents to admit their concerns, but stress that you are taking measures to keep your family safe with basic precautions like hand washing, face coverings and limiting your interactions with others.
• Be prepared for questions: It’s okay to not have all the answers. For older children, you can point them to reliable information sources like the CDC. For younger kids, tell them you don’t know the answer yet, but you’ll find out and get back to them (with age-appropriate explanations). Then, discuss steps that our community takes to ensure public health and safety; remind kids that doctors, researchers and hospitals are working hard to keep them safe and healthy.

This decision is personal and can depend on many factors. When schools have appropriate prevention measures in place – including screening, face covering requirements and social distancing measures –the risk of spreading COVID-19 among students and teachers decreases.

Assuming your child’s school is taking proper precautions and COVID-19 transmission in your area is low, for the average healthy kid, the benefits of attending classes in person are likely greater than the risks of contracting the coronavirus. For children with chronic medical conditions or with high-risk family members at home, we recommend talking with your pediatrician about the decision to return to in-person lessons.

Read our Q&A about school safety during the coronavirus pandemic.

Check out our FAQs for attending school during the pandemic. Or, refer to the CDC's existing guidelines for schools and childcare centers.

We urge everyone to follow the public health guidelines for their community. Public health measures like the Safer at Home order are intended to reduce the likelihood of person-to-person contact. Staying at home or spending time outside is the safest option to avoid exposure.

Remember that it can be hard on kids not to see their friends. If you choose for your child to spend time with friends, we recommend playing with just one other child outside; keeping playdates one-on-one and doing outdoor activities poses the lowest risk for children.

If your child is attending school, you may also consider socializing with the kids in their school “pod” – provided you continue to take precautions like wearing face coverings, and for kids who are old enough, physical distancing.

Our experts recommend getting kids outside as often as you can, which is also encouraged under Colorado's Safer at Home and in the Vast, Great Outdoors order. Not only is it good for everyone's mental health, but activities like taking the dog for a walk or riding bikes are low risk if you stay a minimum of 6 feet away from other people.

See a helpful graphic about the risks and benefits of certain social activities from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Read tips from our experts about how to ease your child’s stress and anxiety about the coronavirus. Or, learn what questions to ask when you check in on your teen.

We understand that being a caregiver can be stressful, even in the best of times. During the coronavirus crisis, there are numerous ways this pandemic could impact caregiver wellbeing. If you are feeling like this or experiencing any of these signs, don't be alarmed:

• Fear of coming down with the coronavirus, and concerns about health and wellbeing of yourselves, your family and loved ones.
• Uncertainty and anxiety due to quickly changing public health data, recommendations and 24/7 news coverage that's hard to escape.
• Pressure to work longer, harder or differently while balancing childcare and other changes in family routines and availability.
• Isolation from family, friends, co-workers and community support systems.
• Significant disruption in our usual routine and reduction in our enjoyable and recreational activities.
• Conflicting demands between work and family responsibilities.

It's normal to feel increased stress as we respond to the numerous challenges and demands of the pandemic. As a caregiver, you might need more support. Psychologists at Children's Colorado are available to help support our families.

There is certainly increased stress that caregivers are currently feeling. However, this can help to focus and attend to the important things needed to do to remain healthy and maintain your wellbeing at home and/or work. Here are a few tips from our experts:

Check-in with yourself

• We all experience stress differently. Take a moment at the beginning and/or end of each day (and throughout as needed) to check-in with yourself to assess your feelings and thoughts. Knowing and accepting how you are doing will help to meet your needs.

Schedule time to worry

• If you find it hard to focus while worried, schedule a short time (only 5 or 10 minutes) to write down your concerns on a post-it, journal or note on your phone. It can help them seem more manageable and allow you to "snooze" unwanted worried thoughts throughout the day.

Breathe and be present

• Future concerns and "what if" questions can take you out of the present moment. Practice deep breathing or mindfulness while doing other regular routines like washing your hands, brushing your teeth or folding laundry. This will help you stay present, focused and grounded in the here-and-now.

Define what you can control

• Defining what you can control helps to make plans and have direction when feeling overwhelmed. Write down a list of things you can and cannot control to focus your efforts and actions on the things you can.

Stay connected

• Reach out to family, friends and colleagues for support. Call or use video chat with individuals or groups to meet your social needs and reduce feelings of isolation. Connect over shared interests, jokes, entertainment or other healthy distractions to avoid discussing only the news.

Exercise, rest and eat well

• Attend to your basic needs. Exercise is a great way to reduce stress and help you sleep better in the evening. Even simple activities such as walking up and down the stairs, doing 2-3 minutes of stretching, or a few yoga poses can make significant changes in the physical, emotional and cognitive reactions to stress. Whenever possible, getting outside for a walk is even better!
• Take time to make a nutritious meal. It's worth the energy it takes to step away from other tasks and can be a fun activity to do with the whole family.

Focus on strength and positivity

• Amidst all the challenges, fears and stress, remind yourself of what is going well and what you are grateful for. You and your family have many strengths that have helped you overcome challenges in the past. Bring them to mind and know they will help you get through the challenges you face today.
• Before you go to sleep each night, reflect on three good things or special moments that happened during the day. Think of someone or something you are grateful for and write it down.

Children's Colorado offers drive-through COVID-19 testing by appointment in Aurora, Broomfield, Highlands Ranch and Colorado Springs. Please note: Unlike some state testing sites, we cannot accept walk-ins.

Learn how to get a coronavirus test at Children's Colorado.

Watch the video below with your child to learn what to expect from COVID-19 testing at Children's Colorado.

We are exercising all precautions to keep patients, families and our team safe. These measures include increased screening for all team members and visitors, testing patients and limiting the number of people at locations.

In addition, we're working closely with our public health partners to give people the information they need. See our coronavirus resources for families and healthcare professionals.

Yes! We’ve expanded our Telehealth Program to all of our specialties and clinics, to give our patients and families the option, in many cases, of getting the same great care as at an in-person visit from the comfort and privacy of their own home. Families interested can ask their provider, scheduler and team if their next visit could be a virtual one.

Some visits, such as for surgery or testing, will still need to be in-person, and for those visits, we’re taking the utmost precautions. Read more about available in-person pediatric services at Children's Colorado.

Yes, it is safe to donate blood and platelets if you are not exhibiting any coronavirus symptoms and meet our eligibility criteria. Please know that we are proactively taking precautions to prevent exposure to the coronavirus, such as: disinfecting all shared surfaces in between donors, screening all donors and technicians, spacing chairs 6 feet apart and providing food sealed in individual packages.

Donating blood is allowed during safer-at-home orders

It’s important for healthy potential donors to know that blood donation is considered an essential function, even during recent stay-at-home and safer-at-home orders. We still have many patients who need blood to help them heal from injury and illness. Learn more about donating blood at Children's Colorado.