Healthy Habits: New Omicron Variant and Kids

Since a new Omicron variant is spreading across the U.S., I had a chance to learn more about it in this interview.

“My daughter just caught this new omicron variant at school. Now we’re all locked up in the house isolating together,” said Dr. Seku Gathers. “It’s a stressful time for parents of young children, especially for those who have children too young to get vaccinated. It seems like a never-ending cycle of anxiety and worry when cases spike.”

As featured on Maria Shriver’s Sunday Paper, Dr. Gathers has worked with celebrities (including Quest Love and Jill Scott), athletes, and professionals to unlock their full potential through both body and mind health.

How can families exercise caution, especially for unvaccinated children, without creating extra anxiety in kids?
You have to "kidify" the experience. It's not coronavirus, it's a "super cold". We are not wearing masks, we are wearing "special costumes.” You can use reward techniques with other things they like to do as well. If you do this, then we can go get some ice cream, or we can go to the park, or go visit grandma, etc. You just want to take the seriousness out of it, and make it into a game or add some kind of positive (not negative) reinforcement. If you say, "If you don't wear this, you could go to the hospital,” that negative reinforcement won’t work. What is better is, "All the cool kids want to be safe, so wear these special x-ray masks.” Try making it a family activity too. Take time as a family to decorate your N95 masks with stickers and markers, creating your own unique style.

What are some ways that families can continue to protect themselves, especially in light of new variants?
Knowing the facts is the most important aspect of protecting yourself and your family. First, research shows that the Omicron variants are less severe and less likely to cause serious illness, even among children. Most children who do contract Covid do not get seriously ill. This is great news. That doesn’t mean you should ditch all preventative measures. If you’re eligible, get a Covid vaccine booster shot. Vaccines reduce your risk of serious infection by 95%. If you’re unable to get a vaccine or do not wish to do so, make sure you’re wearing an N95 mask (not a cloth one), reduce the time you spend indoors, and wash your hands frequently. If you want to do family outings, try to go during non-peak hours. Go shopping or to a museum right when they open. The fewer people you’re around, the safer it is.

The hardest part about Covid is everyone has a different set of rules and boundaries. First, know what the boundaries are for your family. Make sure you and your partner are on the same page and implement those rules as a united front for your children. Have boundaries in the household for non-vaccinated family members. Ask them to wear a mask or have events outside. Birthday parties indoors are probably not a great idea. I would encourage children to continue to wear masks at school, particularly since it is hard to know what the households of other children are like. Your child may be in a class with a parent who is a healthcare worker, whose risk of exposure is high. Get at-home test kits (which are inexpensive) and test anytime your child has any symptoms consistent with Covid. Don’t hoard tests, but make sure you always have a few on hand. Testing is important in preventing infections from spreading in communities and even within your own household.

If your child is too young to wear a mask and is going to daycare, it’s difficult to prevent infection. Most daycares are doing their best to mitigate infections by asking parents to keep children home when they develop Covid symptoms. Keep your child home if they have a fever or are displaying symptoms. Test them if you’ve been notified of a Covid case at their daycare.

How can learning more about Covid actually help reduce anxiety in families?
As I mentioned above, the facts about Covid and children should help put your mind at ease. Children who contract Covid rarely develop serious illnesses. Most have mild symptoms and some don’t show any symptoms at all. The other good news is that vaccines are your best bet at protection. Even if your child is not vaccinated, wearing an N95 mask and reducing time spent indoors greatly reduces your risks.

For kids, knowledge is power, but too much knowledge may be anxiety-provoking. Find simple, fun YouTube videos to explain the Coronavirus to kids. Big, simple concepts that kids can remember, will keep them informed and help them feel safe. If they understand what measures help protect them and why, it helps them have some agency over their own lives, which is a life lesson all kids need.

For parents, over-indulging in news can actually have a negative benefit. Try to limit the amount of news you consume per week. Focusing on what "could happen" is often unhelpful. Focusing on what is actually happening could help guide decisions about where you choose to do outdoor/indoor activities as a family. The biggest anxiety reducer is knowing that if I am vaccinated/boosted, the likelihood of me having a serious illness from Covid is next to nil. Learning is akin to acceptance. Embracing the reality of Covid (or anything difficult) minimizes its power.

What are some scientifically proven methods to reduce stress, whether it's about Covid or something else?
Overall, taking care of yourself is the most important thing a parent can do. Make sure you're eating healthy foods that fuel your body. Aim to exercise at least two to three times a week. Oftentimes, anxiety, depression, or excess stress builds up in the body as clogged up energy. Physical movement helps rid the body of this excess energy. Even a short 10-minute walk can boost your mood.

Another proven method to reduce stress is to practice mindfulness techniques. Do some yoga, go for a walk in nature, meditate for 10 minutes, write three things you’re grateful for every day, or spend 30 minutes on your favorite hobby. Just try to do something that allows you to focus on the present moment. By refocusing our minds, we’re able to put things in perspective. I always tell my clients to remember the oxygen mask rule on airplanes - put your own mask on before helping others. We can’t take care of our children if we don’t take care of ourselves. Covid, unfortunately, isn’t going to go away anytime soon, so we’ll have to learn to adapt to it.


Founder of ConnectMD, Dr. Seku Gathers is a concierge physician, author, podcaster, teacher on Insight Timer, mindset coach, and award-winning filmmaker. He’s developed a method of transforming trauma into truth and self-empowerment. His book Total Body Wellness: The Truth About Your Health shares this approach and explores the mind-body connection.