Parents should think twice about kissing kids during coronavirus crisis

The nation’s leading infectious disease expert has warned parents that there are certain guidelines they should adhere to when it comes to kissing children.

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IN the age of COVID-19 some parents will have to make peace with not kissing their kids and find a new family ritual for showing safe affection, experts say.

“If a parent is feeling unwell or a child is not socially isolated then it’s common sense to stop kissing,” the nation’s leading infectious disease expert told The Sunday Mail.

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Coronavirus is spread through water or mucus droplets from the nose and mouth containing the virus and children who show no symptoms can still be spreaders, Prof Robert Booy Head of Clinical Research at the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance said.

But the professor says that those families that are all well and isolated in their own little cocoon can display the usual affection.

Top psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg says that small children need touch so families should have a meeting and ask the kids how they want to show love.

“At this time good health is a priority but if we now have alternatives to handshakes then we can do the same in the home,” he said.

News this week that a one-year-old is being treated for coronavirus has sparked a worry among parents about kissing.

“To be honest you will never be able to stop the physical connection between parents and children and mostly parents would use commonsense,” Prof Booy said.

“If they are practising social distancing and following the hygiene protocols of washing hands, not touching the face and not coughing and sneezing openly, then you are doing all the right things.”