Eva’s dad and I decided to vaccinate her against COVID-19 because we believe that the vaccine offers the best way to protect Eva from moderate to severe illness as well as any long term effects from a COVID-19 infection.  We believe that the research is sound demonstrating that the vaccine is safe.  Prior to her appointmen we had an age appropriate discussion with Eva.  She knows that the vaccine not only protects her but in being vaccinated, she will be doing her part in protecting others ..read more

As of May 1, 2020, it is law in Illinois for all people over 2 years old to cover their noses and mouths when unable to maintain social distance.  This law is to prevent the unknowing spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID 19, via respiratory droplet particles while breathing or talking. This means, a face covering should be worn when entering ANY place of business, including grocery stores, banks, hardware stores and pharmacies; picking up curbside orders of food, craft supplies, garden supplies etc; traveling via public transportation or rideshare services, ie planes, trains, buses, tax ..read more

A face mask or covering fits correctly if it covers the wearer’s nose and mouth, lays flat against the wearer’s cheeks and stays in place while talking.  Remember the purpose of the mask it to catch water droplets that can be spread while breathing or talking.  So wearing a mask below the nose or under the chin defeats the purpose of wearing the mask in the first place! Frequently, movement of the mask or covering occurs because it is the wrong size.  Simple fixes can include tying the ear loops tighter or securing them behind the head with a clip. Remember… put on the mask wit ..read more

Here is a fun way to demonstrate how germs can spread via droplet particles.  Go outside on a cool day, one in which you will see your breath.  Each of you should take a deep breath in and out.  Look at the water vapor in the air.  Tell them, “sometimes germs live in our breath and look how far they can travel”.  Now you you both should cough and or sneeze and look at the difference in distance the water vapor travels.  Explain this is why we need to keep six feet from other.  Draw out six feet and try to have your kids cough and get the water vapor to travel that far.  Now have them cough ont ..read more

Fevers, a.k.a. elevation of you child’s body temperature, can be very frightening. Your child may feel unwell and act irritable or appear more sleepy. Typically, fevers are associated with an illness, although they can be associated with other inflammatory processes (some autoimmune conditions) and they can simply indicate overheating (think athlete on a hot day or an over bundled infant in a car seat). While we all wish to be as good as our mothers and grandmothers and just place a hand on our child’s forehead and know that he or she is burning up, inevitable you will get the dreaded quest ..read more

Let’s face it. Social distancing is disruptive. It requires families to multi-task in ways that they have not had to before. The best-case scenario is that mom and dad can work from home with limited interruptions from their children who are sitting in front of the computer with on line learning. But let’s face it, this is likely going to be the exception and not the norm as many children will require more hands on attention and learning throughout the day (simply just redirecting and keeping kids on task). But for children with attention deficits, speech delays and learning disabilities ..read more

In the simplest of terms, self-quarantine is the practice of complete isolation of one’s self and one’s family from contact from others. This is to prevent or the eliminate the spread of a pathogen to others. This means that a person in quarantine should have absolutely no contact with others, including leaving the house to go to work, school, shopping, gym ETC. This also means that there should be no visitors to the house. When this person needs to be in contact with others, personal protection equipment (ie masks, disposable gowns and gloves) should be used. The idea of self-quarantine m ..read more