• Tell them the facts. Ensure you’re armed with facts, this will help keep Coronavirus conversations calm, considered, and constructive.
• Explain what efforts are being made to contain the virus. The authorities around the world are taking significant measures to prevent the spread of the virus and scientists are working to develop a vaccine.

Most modern countries are prepared to deal with emergencies such as this, the NHS is doing everything they can to treat patients and many former health care workers have volunteered to help.

Explain words to them that they may not have heard before:

• Epidemic – a widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time.
• Pandemic – an infectious disease which has spread throughout one country or globally.
• Virus – Viruses are a type of germ. Viruses cause colds, chicken pox, measles, flu, and many other diseases. Unfortunately, antibiotics don’t work on viruses like they do on bacteria. Wash your hands often to help prevent the spread of viruses, especially before you eat and after you use the bathroom.
• Coronavirus – According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) coronaviruses are a group of viruses which produce symptoms similar to that of flu. Symptoms can range from a runny nose, cough, sore throat and fever, but can also escalate to pneumonia. Coronavirus gets its name from the word ‘corona’ which means crown in Latin.

Offer practical advice:
For the time being the Government’s directive is that everyone must stay at home and only go out for food, health reasons or work (only if you cannot work from home), if you go out to keep two meters away from other people at all times and to wash your hands as soon as you get home.

Young people must understand the importance of adhering to these measures and it should help them feel as though they’re able to avoid catching the virus.

Events like this can be very scary for young people so focus on the known facts rather than fixating on worst-case scenarios; this will allow your child to process the situation and keep it in perspective. However worried you may feel, do your best to keep your concerns to yourself and make sure your child understands that you will do everything in your power to keep them — and yourself — safe.

For the latest updates, check the NHS  and  GOV.UK.

You may like to know that we are delivering Live Online Talks for parents and teens – including Parenting During Isolation, First Aid For Your Child’s Mind, Teens & Screens and Managing The Stresses Of Life – to support your child during adolescence and help your family during this very challenging time.