ONE PRIDE VACCINATION CLINIC

Lions in the wild live within family groups called prides. And in the urban jungle fans of Detroit's NFL team consider themselves part of a pride when it comes to cheering on the Lions. So in the midst of this terrible pandemic knowing that we are all one pride in this public health crisis together, the Lions hosted a COVID-19 vaccination clinic at their downtown Detroit stadium to help beat this virus.

We were able to get appointments for my son and daughter on the first day my twelve year old twins were able eligible to get vaccinated. The whole family drove over to Ford Field so that the kids could join my wife and me in getting protected from this terrible coronavirus. Once arriving at the stadium we were in and out within 30 minutes. It was a quick, hassle free experience.

Why did we get our middle school aged kids vaccinated against COVID? Because I respect the doctors at St. Jude Children's Hospital. They put out an announcement as soon as the vaccine was approved for 12 to 15 year olds encouraging parents to have their kids get the shots. St. Jude Children's Hospital has been saving the lives of sick youth for decades and its doctors have earned my trust.

Doctor Miguela Caniza MD, Director of the St. Jude Global Infectious Diseases Program at St. Jude Children’s Hospital has been outspoken about vaccines for this novel coronavirus being safe and effective. She has emphasized three key points about why it is important to get kids vaccinated against COVID-19:

1. Children and teenagers can also become infected and some of them with serious disease. Young patients aren't immune to serious complications resulting from a COVID infection just because in general their sickness from virus infections seems to be less severe than older people.

2. Children and teenagers are highly mobile attending schools, sports, and intersecting more often with various age groups including with their caretakers and older family members. Even if they don't get very sick from the virus they can spread it to others who may not be as lucky if infected.

3. Because of the high percent of children and teenagers being asymptomatic or with minimal symptoms, most likely they will be effectively spreading during a very contagious period, and even more so, if they don’t follow the standard precautions (distancing, using masks and practicing hand hygiene).

We're doing our part to safeguard our own family's health as well as being sensitive to helping stop the spread of the virus as a benefit to our whole community. No one wants to get a shot, but I was really proud about how my kids rolled up their sleeves and did what needed to be done. No fuss and now a lot less stress about COVID for them.

SIX TIPS FOR COPING WITH COVID AT THE HOLIDAYS

As much as the staff at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital provide amazing treatments helping sick kids they also have to provide counsel to those families they aren't able to get positive outcomes for. Their team of psychologists are experts at helping people address uncertainty, stress and grief. With COVID cases rising as the holiday season approaches, a normally cheerful, social time could this year be isolating and depressing this year due to the pandemic. And if people aren't careful they and their loved ones could be at risk for getting sick with the coronavirus.

So I wanted to pass along some tips from St. Jude Psychology Clinical Director Niki Jurbergs, PhD, along with her colleague Megan Wilkins, PhD, on coping with Covid at the holidays:

1. Perform a mental health check - It is critically important, especially given mounting “pandemic fatigue,” that we attend to our own mental health. We must first take stock of our own mental health and assure we are not trying to “pour from an empty cup.” It is imperative that parents take time for care of themselves, including spending time outside, seeking social support and engaging in relaxing activities. Give yourself grace to feel disappointment and upset about this highly anxious and uncertain time. 
2. Feel empowered to do what feels comfortable – In our work with families of children with cancer, we stress the importance of facing the upcoming holidays feeling empowered to do what feels most comfortable given the risks and restrictions of their child’s diagnosis. This is a time for all of us to take this lesson to heart and work to adjust our expectations and prepare for things to be different this year, and in many cases, difficult as well. It can help to talk about these losses, sharing what we are missing most this holiday season. 
3. Take time to consider what is meaningful to you around the holidays – Take time to consider what is meaningful to you around the holidays. Is it the special recipe for a dish your grandmother used to make? Is it playing games with family members? Watching a game with friends? What parts of these meaningful pieces of the holidays can still happen in a way you feel comfortable with? Rather than looking forward to our typical parties and family meals, we might choose to focus on the gift of health we give when we make the sacrifice of honoring our families’ and loved ones’ health and safety by staying home. 
4.  Make the holidays special from afar - Planning surprises such as cards or gifts delivered in the mail lets your loved ones know you’re with them in spirit, if not in body. Recognizing that many of us are tired of looking at screens, virtual games and activities such as scavenger hunts or singing favorite holiday songs may be more engaging than simply video chatting. Families who remain distanced this season may enjoy developing new traditions, such as trying new recipes or playing new games with those they share a household with that might be incorporated into future holidays when they can safely be together again. Families may choose to reflect on what they are thankful for by coming together to make donations to charities and causes that are meaningful to them. 
5.  Protect your elderly loved ones from loneliness and isolation - In many cases, seniors experience a heightened sense of loss related to pandemic restrictions. These elderly individuals express the feeling that their time is short, and that time is being stolen from them. Some express a willingness to accept the risk of potential virus infection to spend time with family because they are more fearful of dying of old age than they are of dying of COVID-19. Reaching out to those at highest risk for loneliness is more important than ever. Phone calls, video chats, cards, drive-by parades and even socially distanced outdoor visits can help them feel connected and reassure them that you are thinking of them. 
6. For the 250,000 Americans grieving the loss of a loved one from COVID-19, make the decision about the holidays that feels right for you – Celebrating holidays for the first time without a loved one is unspeakably difficult. For these families, not only has this pandemic taken the life of a loved one, the threat remains. That is, not only are they grieving, they are continuing to face the virus and its ongoing impact on a daily basis. These families should not feel obligated to engage in holiday traditions as they have in the past. In fact, it might feel better for some to not celebrate at all this year. Conversely, some families may choose to find special ways to honor and include the memory of their lost loved one. As with all family decisions, this one is highly personal.

CORONAVIRUS EXPLAINED TO KIDS THROUGH ACTIVITY AND COLORING BOOKS

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, one of the United States' most respected treatment centers for juvenile illness, understands that kids may have a hard time understanding and grasping what is going on when it comes to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. So St. Jude has created a coloring book for children and an activity book for tweens and teens that explains the virus in a way that is relatable to them. Additionally, the hospital has published a St. Jude Together online resource website for parents to help them talk with children about this public health emergency.

Learn About the Coronavirus Coloring Book developed for children ages 5-9:




Learn About the Coronavirus Activity Book is geared more toward “tweens” ages 10-13:



Also here are a few FAQ that St, Jude has complied answers for  providing kids regarding the pandemic:

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 stands for coronavirus disease 2019. It is the illness that you get from the virus. 

What is coronavirus?

Coronavirus is a virus that can make you feel sick. It’s kind of like getting a bad cold or the flu. If you catch it, you may feel sick. You may get a fever, cough, or feel tired.

How do you know if you are sick?

Most people feel like they have a cold or the flu. You may have a fever, cough, or feel tired. Some people get a sore throat or have a runny nose or feel achy. It can be hard to notice if you are sick. That’s why it’s really important to tell someone if you start feeling bad at all.

Why do you have to wear a mask if you are sick?

Just like any sickness, you can spread germs to other people if you cough or sneeze. The germs stay inside the mask and don’t spread to others.

I am not sick. Why do I have to wear a mask?

Some people can get very sick because their body can’t fight the virus as well. Wearing a mask can help protect you from the germs that make you sick.

Can you die from coronavirus?

It is true the virus can make you very sick, but that doesn’t happen very often. Most children who get sick just have a few symptoms, like a cold or the flu. People who are very sick go to the hospital so they can have extra care. We don’t want you to be afraid, and there are lots of things that can keep us from getting sick, like handwashing and staying away from big crowds.

Can I catch coronavirus?

The virus spreads like a cold or the flu through germs. There are things we can do to keep you from catching it and spreading it to others. We are being extra good about washing our hands really well and even more than usual. Try to keep your hands away from your face, eyes, mouth, and nose. If you feel like you are going to sneeze or cough, do so into tissues or your elbow.