For working parents in the Hudson
Valley, life is utter chaos right now. With schools and day care facilities
closed because of the coronavirus outbreak, parents are trying to work from
home while also caring for — and sometimes home-schooling — their kids.
This
juggling act is slightly less crazy for parents who are fortunate enough to
have nannies or regular babysitters, but these families are also facing tough
decisions and sometimes new laws and recommendations. If you’re practicing
social distancing, is it OK to invite a babysitter into your home? What if
you’re worried that your caregiver might get your family sick?
First, some reassurance: According to a
recent New York Times story, “while our natural inclination is to worry
foremost about our kids, the available research largely suggests that most
children who get COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, do not get
seriously sick.” According to a study by
the journal Pediatrics, about half of kids who get sick develop mild symptoms,
including a fever, dry cough and runny nose. A little more than a third of
children in the study developed moderate symptoms, which can include pneumonia,
and 6 percent — particularly babies and preschoolers — developed
very serious symptoms.
With
the rules and restrictions regarding “non-essential workers,” it’s unclear exactly how the order applies to nannies and
babysitters, but, the National Domestic Workers Alliance advise that nannies should stay home unless they care for
children of essential workers such as emergency medical workers, health care
workers, and sanitation workers.
If your
babysitter is still legally allowed to work and you want him or her to work,
keep in mind that every person who comes into your home could bring germs and
also be exposed to your family’s germs, so it’s important to minimize potential
risk. So, educate yourself by reading the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention guidance for businesses and
employers.
Here
are a few suggestions for parents and caregivers to keep in mind:
- If you hire a nanny, you are an employer and your house is a
workplace. Among other things, you’ll want to routinely clean frequently
touched surfaces in your home, such as doorknobs and bathroom fixtures, and
actively encourage your caregiver to stay home if they’re sick.
- Have a conversation with your nanny/babysitter about keeping
everyone safe. Share guidelines and
other important information with your caregiver, too. For instance, the
government now advises Americans to avoid gatherings of more
than 10 people.
- Talk to your sitter about how the infection spreads and how they
can reduce risk by washing their
hands, using hand sanitizer and not touching their face. Make sure they
understand the symptoms of COVID-19, and tell them to inform you immediately —
and stay home — if they develop any symptoms, such as a fever or a cough. And
of course, be open with your caregiver about your own situation.