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Written by: Nicole Battaglioli, Anna Yaffee & Kathryn YaffeeIllustrations by: Rahel GizawCopyright 2020All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, storedin a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means,electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without theprior permission of the copyright holder.
When Sammy was four years old, hethought there was a monster hidingunder the bed. He imagined it waspurple with green spots and he madesure to check under the bed each nightbefore falling asleep.
"I know you are afraid,"Mama would say, "But I willhelp keep you safe."
When Sammy got older hestarted going to school. Hemade so many new friendsand was learning his ABCsand numbers.
He stopped thinkingabout the monster underthe bed, and he wasn'tafraid anymore!
One morning, Mama told him that school had beencanceled that day. "Why aren't we going to school today?"Sammy asked.
Mama explained that there weremany people who were sick witha virus called COVID-19, andthat they had to stay home to helpstop the virus from spreading.
At first, Sammy was so excited!Even though it was warm outside, itfelt just like a snow day.
He loved watching hisfavorite shows on TV andloved to play in the yardwith his sister! They playedbasketball, looked foroutdoor treasures, and usedtheir roller skates!
But after a few days ofstaying at home, Sammystarted to miss his friends,his teacher, and most of all.the class guinea pig, Tony.
One morning when Mama wasgetting ready to leave for work.Sammy felt confused."Aren't we supposed to stayhome?" he asked.
Mama explained that since sheworked at the hospital, she had togo to help stop the virus and helpall of the people who were sick.Sammy began to feel afraid, justlike when he was younger andthought a monster was under hisbed.“I know you are afraid,” Mamasaid, “But I am going to work tohelp keep you safe.”
Auntie came to stay with Sammy and his sister while Mama wasat work. Auntie and Mama discussed daily routines of exercise,healthy food, and sleep and how they are important. Each dayAuntie would try to teach them their daily lesson, but Auntiedidn't always do things the same way his teacher did.
Auntie made Sammy wash his hands beforeeating and after touching something dirty."We can sing Happy Birthday two times whilewashing our hands!" Auntie said. "Washingour hands with soap and water helps keep ussafe."
Over dinner one night, Mama told him that he wasn't going backto school for the rest of the school year. She explained howstaying home was working to keep everyone safe. We need tostay home a little bit longer to continue to help the virus goaway.
After dinner, Sammy wassitting in the living roomplaying with his favoritetoy when he began tothink about school. Whatabout field day and theend of the year party?"Will I be ready for nextyear?" Sammy wondered.Sammy's sister was loudlysinging and dancingnearby. Sammy couldn'ttake it anymore! He threwhis toy as hard as he couldonto the ground and ran tohis room.
Mama followed Sammy into his roomand sat next to him on the floor.Mama listened while Sammy sharedabout how he missed his friends andteacher.zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz"Is this virus going to hurt us?" heasked. Mama told Sammy that a lotof people were feeling worried,scared and mad too. She explained tohim that COVID-19 is a virus thatcan make people very sick, butdoctors and nurses were working veryhard to make those people feel better.She reminded him how they havebeen doing things to help keepthemselves safe like.
.wearing masks whenthey are out shopping,washing their handsoften, and seeing theirfriends through videocalls.
Then Mama taught him how totake deep breaths to help himfeel calm. Sammy practicedtaking a deep breath in throughhis nose and then slowly outthrough his mouth pretendinghe was blowing out hisbirthday candles.
Mama and Sammy talkedabout all of the things hecould do to calm hisworries, like picturing arelaxing place in hismind.Sammy thought about his favorite tree inthe park. In his mind, he saw the colors ofthe leaves, felt the cool breeze and heard thebirds above. His worries about the virusbegan to feel far away.
They talked about how they canstill go for walks as a family andplay in the yard.
Mama invited Sammy to practice yoga together in their livingroom. Sammy's sister joined them. Soon enough, they were alllaughing together as Sammy toppled over onto the floor.
Before bed that night, Mama told Sammy that he could think about thehappy memories he has and the new adventures they will have together.While Sammy was falling asleep, he thought about all of the things hewould do when the virus went away.
He pictured running with his friends at recess,going to his best friend's birthday party, andchecking out books at the library. This madeSammy feel happy and excited! He smiled ashe thought about petting Tony the guinea pigonce again. Sammy felt safe as he drifted offto sleep.
Sammy’s Tips for Staying Safe Cover coughs and sneezes using the inside of yourelbow, and wash your hands afterwards. Wash your hands often and especially aftertouching something dirty, for at least 20 seconds(you can count this time by singing Happy Birthdaytwice!) Try not to touch your mouth, eyes or nose withdirty hands. When you go outside, you can follow “socialdistancing” by staying at least six feet (the length ofa big kid bed) apart from other people. If you are more than 2 years old, you can alsowear a cloth mask over your nose and mouth whenout in public to protect yourself and others. Ask an adult to help you clean things that aretouched often like doorknobs and the bathroomsink.
Mama Explains COVID-19Virus - a tiny germ (too small to see!) that can make yousick.Pandemic - when one type of sickness spreads to many partsof the world.COVID-19 - a new virus that was discovered in 2019 andhas caused a pandemic in the year 2020.How can you catch COVID-19?COVID-19 is spread between people by coughs and sneezes,or by touching something that someone sick also touched.What happens if you catch COVID-19?Some people with COVID-19 don’t feel sick at all, but manyothers feel a little sick with a cough, headache, sore throat,aches, or fever. A few people feel very sick and have to see adoctor, but this does not happen often for kids.How do doctors treat COVID-19?Doctors may give someone sick medicine or special air tohelp them breathe. Your body is amazing and has its ownsystem made of special cells to help you fight a virus. This iscalled the “immune system.” The treatments that doctorsgive for COVID-19 will help your immune system have timeto fight the virus.
Tony’s Relaxation Techniques Take deep breaths: Breathe in through yournose and slowly out through your mouth. Picture a relaxing place in your mind. Use yourfive senses (touch, taste, smell, sound, sight) tohelp you visualize it. Engage in “Progressive Muscle Relaxation:”Squeeze and relax your muscles one part of yourbody at a time. Search online for“relaxation videos for kids” and practice along. Get exercise: Do yoga, go for a walk, ride abike, play your favorite sport, etc. Talk about your feelings: Share them with yourfamily, friends, pets, or stuffed animals.
Anna Yaffee is an emergencyNicole Battaglioli is anmedicine physician andemergency medicine physician inepidemiologist in Atlanta,Atlanta, Georgia. She has aGeorgia. She has a specialspecial interest in diversity,interest in emerging infectiousinclusion and physician wellness.disease, global health, andShe loves walks outside with heremergency response. She enjoyshusband and energetic toddler.exploring the world through traveland food.Rahel Gizaw is an emergencymedicine resident with a specialinterest in medical educationthrough visual illustration. She isa proud Georgia bulldog and avidJeopardy! fan.Kathryn Yaffee is a LicensedClinical Social Worker inNashville, Tennessee. Sheenjoys teaching the childrenshe works with coping skillssimilar to the ones Sammylearns in the story. She liveswith her dog Oliver.
and sat next to him on the floor. Mama listened while Sammy shared about how he missed his friends and teacher. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz "Is this virus going to hurt us?" he asked. Mama told Sammy that a lot of people were feeling worried, scared and mad too. She explained to him that COVID-19 is a virus that can make people very sick, but
