mteb/FeedbackQARetrieval huggingface dataset:
For Parents: Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19
What CDC is doing to learn more
CDC has a team dedicated to investigate MIS-C and gather and communicate
information quickly to healthcare providers, parents and caregivers, as well
as state and local health departments. The team is working with U.S. and
international scientists, healthcare providers, and other partners to learn
more about this new syndrome. They are learning about how often it happens and
who is likely to get it, creating a system to track cases, and providing
guidance to parents and healthcare providers.
Some of the specific actions CDC has taken:

Released a Health Advisory on May 14, 2020, through the Health Alert Network. In this advisory, CDC alerted healthcare providers about MIS-C, issued the case definition that it developed with the Council of State, Tribal, and Territorial Epidemiologists, and recommended that healthcare providers report suspected cases of MIS-C to local, state, or territorial health departments. The information the clinicians and health departments provide will help us understand this new condition and how common it is.
Collaborated with public health agencies around the world to share information and knowledge about cases of MIS-C in other countries.
Sent a field team to New York, the first state to report cases of MIS-C, to help health officials investigate the cases.
Set up a method for state and local health departments to report cases of MIS-C .
Asked clinical research and surveillance networks at children’s hospitals that we work with to collect data on cases of MIS-C.
Began communicating information about what we know, what we don’t know, and what we are doing to learn more to support healthcare providers, parents, and caregivers.
Collaborated with other federal agencies, clinical, and professional societies.
Keep Children Healthy during the COVID-19 Outbreak
Watch your child for any signs of COVID-19 illness
COVID-19 can look different in different people. For many people, being sick
with COVID-19 would be a little bit like having the flu. People can get a
fever, cough, or have a hard time taking deep breaths. Most people who have
gotten COVID-19 have not gotten very sick. Only a small group of people who
get it have had more serious problems.
CDC and partners are investigating cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome
in children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19. Learn more about COVID-19 and
multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children
(MIS-C).
Keep Children Healthy during the COVID-19 Outbreak
Keep children healthy
Teach and reinforce everyday preventive actions

Parents and caretakers play an important role in teaching children to wash their hands. Explain that hand washing can keep them healthy and stop the virus from spreading to others.
Be a good role model—if you wash your hands often, they’re more likely to do the same.
Make handwashing a family activity.
Learn more about what you can do to protect children.

Help your child stay active

Encourage your child to play outdoors—it’s great for physical and mental health. Take a walk with your child or go on a bike ride.
Use indoor activity breaks (like stretch breaks or dance breaks) throughout the day to help your child stay healthy and focused.

Help your child stay socially connected

Reach out to friends and family via phone or video chats.
Write cards or letters to family members they may not be able to visit.
Some schools and non-profits, such as the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning and The Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, have resources for social and emotional learning. Check to see if your school has tips and guidelines to help support social and emotional needs of your child.

Ask about school meal services
Check with your school on plans to continue meal services during the school
dismissal. Many schools are keeping school facilities open to allow families
to pick up meals or are providing grab-and-go meals at a central location.
Keep Children Healthy during the COVID-19 Outbreak
Help your child cope with stress
Watch for signs of stress or behavior changes
Not all children and teens respond to stress in the same way. Some common
changes to watch for include:

Excessive worry or sadness
Unhealthy eating habits
Unhealthy sleeping habits
Difficulty with attention and concentration

Support your child

Parents can find more information about supporting their children during a COVID-19 outbreak on CDC’s Stress and Coping page.
Talk with your child or teen about the COVID-19 outbreak. Answer questions and share facts about COVID-19 in a way that your child or teen can understand.
Learn more about common reactions that children may have and how you can help children cope with emergencies.
Help Stop the Spread of COVID-19 in Children
Watch your child for any signs of COVID-19 illness
COVID-19 can look different in different people. For many people, being sick
with COVID-19 would be a little bit like having the flu. People can get a
fever, cough, or have a hard time taking deep breaths. Most people who have
gotten COVID-19 have not gotten very sick. Only a small group of people who
get it have had more serious problems.
CDC and partners are investigating cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome
in children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19. Learn more about COVID-19 and
multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children
(MIS-C).
Help Stop the Spread of COVID-19 in Children
Take steps to protect children and others
Help stop the spread of COVID-19 by doing the same things everyone should do
to stay healthy. Teach your children to do the same.

Clean hands often using soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid people who are sick (coughing and sneezing).
Put distance between your children and other people outside of your home. Keep children at least 6 feet from other people.
Children 2 years and older should wear acloth face covering over their nose and mouth when in public settings where it’s difficult to practice social distancing. This is an additional public health measure people should take to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in addition to (not instead of) the other everyday preventive actions listed above.
Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily in household common areas (like tables, hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, handles, desks, toilets, and sinks).
Launder items including washable plush toys as needed. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If possible, launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting and dry items completely. Dirty laundry from an ill person can be washed with other people’s items.

You can find additional information on preventing COVID-19 at How to Protect
Yourself and at Preventing COVID-19 Spread in
Communities.
Additional information on how COVID-19 is spread is available at How COVID-19
Spreads.
Help Stop the Spread of COVID-19 in Children
Limit time with other children
If children meet in groups, it can put everyone at risk. Children can pass
this virus onto others who may be at higher risk, including older adults and
people who have serious underlying medical
conditions.
Practice social distancing
The key to slowing the spread of COVID-19 is to limit contact as much as
possible. While school is out, children should not have in-person playdates
with children from other households. If children are playing outside their own
homes, it is essential that they remain 6 feet from anyone who is not in their
own household.
To help children maintain social connections while social distancing, help
your children have supervised phone calls or video chats with their friends.
Clean hands often
Make sure children practice everyday preventive
behaviors, such as washing their hands often with soap and water
for at least 20 seconds. This is especially important if you have been in a
public place.
Change travel plans
Revise travel plans if they included non-essential travel.
Help Stop the Spread of COVID-19 in Children
Limit time with people at highest risk of severe illness from COVID-19
Older adults and people who have serious underlying medical
conditions are at highest risk of severe illness
from COVID-19.

If others in your home are at particularly high risk for severe illness from COVID-19, consider extra precautions to separate your child from those people.
If you are unable to stay home with your child while school is out, carefully consider who might be best positioned to provide child care. If someone at higher risk for COVID-19 will be providing care (older adult, such as a grandparent or someone with a chronic medical condition), limit your children’s contact with other people.
Consider postponing visits or trip to see older family members and grandparents. Connect virtually or by writing letters and sending via mail.
Help Children Learn at Home
Look for ways to make learning fun

Have hands-on activities, like puzzles, painting, drawing, and making things.
Independent play can also be used in place of structured learning. Encourage children to build a fort from sheets or practice counting by stacking blocks.
Practice handwriting and grammar by writing letters to family members. This is a great way to connect and limit face-to-face contact.
Start a journal with your child to document this time and discuss the shared experience.
Use audiobooks or see if your local library is hosting virtual or live-streamed reading events.
Talking with children about Coronavirus Disease 2019
Tips for talking to children

Remain calm. Remember that children will react to both what you say and how you say it. They will pick up cues from the conversations you have with them and with others.
Reassure children that they are safe. Let them know it is okay if they feel upset. Share with them how you deal with your own stress so that they can learn how to cope from you.
Make yourself available to listen and to talk. Let children know they can come to you when they have questions.
Avoid language that might blame others and lead to stigma.
Pay attention to what children see or hear on television, radio, or online. Consider reducing the amount of screen time focused on COVID-19. Too much information on one topic can lead to anxiety.
Provide information that is truthful and appropriate for the age and developmental level of the child. Talk to children about how some stories on COVID-19 on the Internet and social media may be based on rumors and inaccurate information. Children may misinterpret what they hear and can be frightened about something they do not understand.
Teach children everyday actions to reduce the spread of germs. Remind children to wash their hands frequently and stay away from people who are coughing or sneezing or sick. Also, remind them to cough or sneeze into a tissue or their elbow, then throw the tissue into the trash.
If school is open, discuss any new actions that may be taken at school to help protect children and school staff.
Talking with children about Coronavirus Disease 2019
Facts about COVID-19 to discuss with children
Try to keep information simple and remind them that health are working hard to
keep everyone safe and healthy.
What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is the short name for “coronavirus disease 2019.” It is a new virus. Scientists and doctors are still learning about it.
Recently, this virus has made a lot of people sick. Scientists and doctors are trying to learn more so they can help people who get sick.
Doctors and health experts are working hard to help people stay healthy.

What can I do so that I don’t get COVID-19?
You can practice healthy habits at home, school, and play to help protect against the
spread of COVID-19.
What happens if you get sick with COVID-19?

COVID-19 can look different in different people. For many people, being sick with COVID-19 would be a little bit like having the flu. People can get a fever, cough, or have a hard time taking deep breaths. Most people who have gotten COVID-19 have not gotten very sick. Only a small group of people who get it have had more serious problems.
If you do get sick, it doesn’t mean you have COVID-19. People can get sick from all kinds of germs. What’s important to remember is that if you do get sick, the adults at home will help get you any help that you need.

[1] Developed by the National Association of School Nurses and the National
Association of School Psychologists. Also available in Spanish [PDF – 5
pages]
People Who Are at Higher Risk for Severe Illness
COVID-19 is a new disease and there is limited information regarding risk
factors for severe disease. Based on currently available information and
clinical expertise, older adults and people of any age who have serious
underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness
from COVID-19.
Based on what we know now, those at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19
are:

People 65 years and older
People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility

People of all ages with underlying medical conditions, particularly if not
well controlled, including:

People with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
People who have serious heart conditions
People who are immunocompromised 
Many conditions can cause a person to be immunocompromised, including cancer treatment, smoking, bone marrow or organ transplantation, immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, and prolonged use of corticosteroids and other immune weakening medications


People with severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 40 or higher)
People with diabetes
People with chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis
People with liver disease

Older AdultsAt Risk For Severe IllnessPeople with Liver
Disease
People with AsthmaPeople with HIVPeople Who Are
Immunocompromised
Older Adults
Steps to Reduce Risk of Getting Sick
There are things you can do to reduce your risk of getting sick.

Stay home if possible.
Wash your hands often.
Keep space between yourself and others (stay 6 feet away, which is about two arm lengths).
What You Can Do 
How to Protect Yourself

Symptoms
Symptoms of COVID-19 can range from mild symptoms to severe illness and death.
Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure. Watch for fever, cough, and
shortness of breath. Watch for symptoms. 
Develop a Care Plan
A care plan summarizes your health conditions, medications, healthcare
providers, emergency contacts, and end-of-life care options (for example,
advance directives). Complete your care plan in consultation with your doctor,
and if needed, with help from a family member or home nurse aide.
A care plan can have benefits beyond the current pandemic. You can update your
care plan every year, or any time you have a change in your health or
medications. Care plans can help reduce emergency room visits and
hospitalizations, and improve overall medical management for people with a
chronic health condition, resulting in better quality of life.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, having a care plan is an important part of
emergency preparedness.

Guidance on how to develop your emergency preparedness care plan.
Download a fillable care plan form [5 pages]
Serious Illness Care Program COVID-19 Response Toolkit

Senior Living Facilities
People with loved ones in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other
types of senior living facilities may be understandably concerned about their
loved one’s risk of illness from COVID-19.
To protect these vulnerable friends and family members, CDC has advised that
long-term care facilities

restrict visitors,
regularly check healthcare workers and residents for fevers and symptoms, and
limit activities within the facility to keep residents safe.

Older Adults are at Higher Risk
See below for estimated percent of adults with confirmed COVID-19 reported in
the U.S: | Adults 65 – 84 | Adults 85+
---|---|---
Hospitalizations | 31-59% | 31-70%
Admission to intensive care | 11-31% | 6-29%
Deaths | 4-11% | 10-27%
People with Moderate to Severe Asthma
Prepare for COVID-19

Stock up on supplies.
Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others.
When you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick.
Clean your hands often by washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid crowds and people who are sick.
Avoid cruise travel and non-essential air travel.
During a COVID-19 outbreak in your community, stay home as much as possible to further reduce your risk of being exposed.
If someone in your home is sick, have them stay away from the rest of the household to reduce the risk of spreading the virus in your home.
Avoid sharing personal household items such as cups and towels.
People with Moderate to Severe Asthma
Follow your Asthma Action Plan

Keep your asthma under control by following your asthma action plan.
Continue your current medications, including any inhalers with steroids in them (“steroids” is another word for corticosteroids).
Don’t stop any medications or change your asthma treatment plan without talking to your healthcare provider.
Discuss any concerns about your treatment with your healthcare provider.
Talk to your healthcare provider, insurer, and pharmacist about creating an emergency supply of prescription medications, such as asthma inhalers. Make sure that you have 30 days of non-prescription medications and supplies on hand too in case you need to stay home for a long time.
Know how to use your inhaler.
Avoid your asthma triggers.
As more cases of COVID-19 are discovered and our communities take action to combat the spread of disease, it is natural for some people to feel concerned or stressed. Strong emotions can trigger an asthma attack. Take steps to help yourself cope with stress and anxiety.

For information on administering asthma medication in schools, visit K-12
Schools and Child Care Programs.
People with Moderate to Severe Asthma
Clean and disinfect things you or your family touch frequently

If possible, have someone who doesn’t have asthma do the cleaning and disinfecting. When they use cleaning and disinfecting products, have them: 
Make sure that people with asthma are not in the room.
Minimize use of disinfectants that can cause an asthma attack.
Open windows or doors and use a fan that blows air outdoors.
Clean and disinfect surfaces like phones, remotes, tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks daily.
Always follow the instructions on the product label.
Spray or pour spray products onto a cleaning cloth or paper towel instead of spraying the product directly onto the cleaning surface (if the product label allows).
If You Are Immunocompromised, Protect Yourself From COVID-19
Prevent COVID-19
If you are immunocompromised, the best way to prevent COVID-19 is to avoid
being exposed to this virus. For details, see CDC’s advice for what you can
do to prepare for COVID-19 and how to protect yourself and
others.

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. 
If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.


Avoid leaving home as much as possible and practice social distancing. 
If you must leave home, avoid other people as much as possible by practicing social distancing. Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet (2 meters) between you and people outside your household.
Avoid large gatherings or places where people congregate.
Have supplies, food, and medicine delivered to your home.


Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face covering when around others to protect other people in case you are infected, and ask others to do the same. 
Remember, do NOT place cloth face coverings on children younger than 2 years old, anyone who has trouble breathing, or anyone who is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cover without assistance.


Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
If You Are Immunocompromised, Protect Yourself From COVID-19
Steps You Can Take to Protect Your Health

Continue your regular treatment plan. Don’t stop any medications or treatments without talking to your doctor. 
Discuss any concerns about your treatment with your doctor.
Keep your regularly scheduled medical appointments. 
Talk to your doctor about steps they are taking to reduce risk of exposure to COVID-19 in the office.
Use telehealth services whenever possible if recommended by your doctor.
Ensure that you are getting necessary tests prescribed by your doctor.
Seek urgent medical care if you are feeling unwell.


Talk to your doctor, insurer, and pharmacist about getting an emergency supply of prescription medications. Make sure you have at least 30 days of prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, and supplies on hand in case you need or want to stay home for several weeks. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about ways to receive your medications by mail.
Take steps to care for your emotional health. Fear and anxiety about COVID-19 can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions. It is natural to feel concerned or stressed about COVID-19. Learn more about stress and coping with anxiety here. Call your healthcare provider if stress gets in the way of your daily activities for several days in a row.
If you are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others: 
Call 911 if you feel like you want to harm yourself or others
Visit the Disaster Distress Helpline, call 1-800-985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746
Visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline or call 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224
Visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or call 1-800-273-8255 and TTY or text 1-800-799-4889
People with Disabilities
Disability Groups and Risk
If you have one of the disability types listed below, you might be at
increased risk of becoming infected or having unrecognized illness. You should
discuss your risk of illness with your healthcare provider.

People who have limited mobility or who cannot avoid coming into close contact with others who may be infected, such as direct support providers and family members
People who have trouble understanding information or practicing preventive measures, such as hand washing and social distancing
People who may not be able to communicate symptoms of illness
People with Disabilities
Protect Yourself
If you or someone you care for are at higher
risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, take steps to prevent
getting sick. In
addition to practicing everyday preventive actions, people with disabilities
who have direct support providers can help protect themselves from respiratory
illness in the following ways:

Ask your direct support provider if they are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 or if they have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19
Tell your direct service provider to 
Wash their hands when they enter your home and before and after touching you (e.g., dressing, bathing/showering, transferring, toileting, feeding), handling tissues, or when changing linens or doing laundry. Learn more about proper handwashing.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces (e.g., counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, bedside tables), and equipment such as wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, canes, oxygen tanks and tubing, communication boards and other assistive devices. Refer to CDC’s General Recommendations for Routine Cleaning and Disinfections of Households.