Coronavirus

Experts all over the world are working on ways to stop the spread of coronavirus. But there are things we can all do to help: 

• wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and wash your hands as soon as you can afterwards
• wear face masks if you’re told you should, and on public transport
• avoid hugging or touching other people
• try to stay at least 2 metres away from people you see outside or in public places
• talk to an adult you trust if you have questions.

You can find out more about how to stop coronavirus spreading on the NHS website.

The lockdown means that you shouldn’t be seeing anyone outside of your household in person. And you should be staying at home whenever you can.

Even if you can’t see people, there are still ways to keep in touch:

• talk to people you know using facetime or video chat
• contact a friend you haven’t heard from since the lockdown started to say hello
• start a new group chat with people you care about
• play a new game with people you live with, or watch something new with them on TV
• write a letter to someone you trust, telling them how you feel.

Being stuck at home can be difficult if you don’t feel safe there. It’s important to get help if:

• you or someone you know is being hurt or abused at home
• you’re having lots of arguments with people you live with
• you’ve run away or you’ve been told you have to leave
• anything else happens that makes you feel unsafe or scared.

There are lots of ways to get help. You can talk to a Childline counsellor about anything, and in an emergency you should always call 999.

If you’re staying at home and you’re worried about the future, it can help to make a safety plan.

It’s natural to be worried about what’s happening in the world. You might be worried about older or more vulnerable people you know getting ill, or about your school closing and how it’ll affect your future. Everyone is different and will react in different ways, but it’s important to try not to panic.

If the coronavirus or feeling worried about what's happening is making it hard for you to cope, then there are things you can do:

• use the Calm Zone to find games or tools that help you relax
• take a break from watching or reading the news to do something you enjoy
• ask an adult you trust about what's happening if you're unsure or worried
• do things every day to take care of yourself, especially if your routine changes.

It can be hard to know how often you should wash your hands, especially if you have OCD or you’re struggling with your mental health. If you're struggling, it’s important to get help by talking to an adult you trust.

There’s a lot of information online about Coronavirus, and you might hear different things from people you know. But not everything you hear or read about will be true.

There are some simple things you can do help make sure you’re getting the right information:

• learn how to spot fake news or information that might not be true
• read information from websites you know and trust, like Newsround or the NHS
• if you’re not sure about something you’ve seen or heard, ask a teacher or another adult you trust.

Remember, if you're worried or you don’t understand something, it’s always okay to ask questions.

Coronavirus might have a big effect on people you’re close to, you might be worried about:

• family getting ill, especially if they’re older or vulnerable
• your family going back to work, or having to work as key workers
• not being able to help or see people.

Whatever your worry, it’s important to talk about it. You could start by asking someone you trust questions about what’s happening or ways that you can help.

Even if you can’t help in a practical way, letting people know that you're worried can be a good way to show them that you care. 

Coping with loss

If someone close you has died, it can be hard to know how to cope. But you’re not alone, you can speak to a Childline counsellor about anything, and we’ve got support that can help.

It’s easy to get bored when you’re stuck at home, so why not try learning a new skill with our coping kit. From practicing juggling to teaching yourself origami, the possibilities are endless. If you’re not sure, try asking for inspiration on the message boards.

If you or someone you live with has symptoms of COVID-19, don’t go to your doctor or GP unless you’re told to.

Talk to an adult you trust about it and find out whether you can take a test. Remember, if you’re not sure if you have it, you’ll still need to self-isolate. You can get more advice on what to do on the NHS website.