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Doctors at Marian discuss how parents can prepare kids returning to school during COVID-19

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Paxton Rohr can’t wait to go back to school.

"I’m excited because I finally get to see my friends and actually play with them on like the recess playground," said 9-year-old Paxton.

His mom Tricia Rohr said she's also excited. "I think socialization is so important for kids for kids. And I really felt the deficit of that this last year. And how stressful that was for parents and kids in general."

Doctors at Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria are also excited.

"We all want our kids to get back in school everyone knows that The school environment is much better than home learning so we do want to get the kids back in school," said chief medical officer Dr. Chuck Merrill of Marian Regional Medical Center.

But Merrill hopes everyone returns to school safely because the pandemic is not over yet.

"That means the parents need to do everything they can. If they can vaccinate their kids and if they’re over 12 they can vaccinate them. But if they’re not able to take a vaccine the best thing the parents can do is to get themselves vaccinated," said Merrill.

As kids go back to school, doctors recommend parents with kids under age 12 to avoid high risk situations like large crowds.

"Because we know the coronavirus can be transmitted from person to person," said Merrill.

Merrill said if kids are not feeling well, they should stay home.

"If they’re coughing and sneezing and that represents that they are ill with something they should also stay home … of course hand washing is good … if you’re sick you shouldn’t be at school or work," said Merrill.

Paxton is not only ready for school, he’s already been practicing safety habits at home.

"I have this little timer thing where there’s like a button that I Press with a had picture on it and it tells me when to stop washing my hands after 20 seconds," said Paxton.

Merrill adds that parents can help prepare their kids by modeling good habits like hand hygiene and covering coughing and sneezing.

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Patricia Martellotti

Patricia Martellotti is a reporter for News Channel 3-12. To learn more about Patricia, click here.

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