The pandemic is turning our lives upside down. Something as normal and routine as visiting our parents is no longer simple. It now requires considerable foresight and a list of guidelines that should be followed. If you're not careful, you may be putting your aging parents in danger. So, you’re probably wondering how to safely see your parents during COVID.

Rest assured, there are several easy ways you can continue to see your parents. While maintaining a social distance is imperative, you also need to practice better hygiene, wear a mask, take extra precautions, and avoid close contact. In fact, video calling regularly is a great way to keep in touch during these trying times. That way, you won’t compromise on their health or safety in any way.

How To Safely See Your Parents During COVID

Before you even consider visiting your parents, assess your own health first.

Check whether you have any symptoms indicating you could be infected. Though the symptoms may vary, initial ones that you should be looking out for include:

• Fever
• Dry cough
• Tiredness
• Aches and pains
• Sore throat
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Loss of taste or smell

If you're feeling under the weather and exhibit one or more of these symptoms, you need to postpone your visit and consider getting tested. 

However, if you’re feeling fine and are planning a visit, here’s a list of things you should be mindful of to keep you and your parents safe.
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1. Maintain A Distance

One of the most difficult regulations of COVID-19 is the need to maintain a distance at all times. This can be especially hard when visiting your parents. Unfortunately, no matter how much you miss them, you can’t give them a hug or a kiss. It’s essential to keep a 6-foot distance to prevent the spread of the disease.

2. Enforce Hygienic Practices

Use a hand sanitizer frequently and make sure everyone wears a mask. Though it may feel awkward at first, remember it is in everyone’s best interest to keep their masks on. Often, people can be asymptomatic but still be able to pass on the virus to others, and you can't afford to risk infecting your aging parents. If you happen to take your mask off, remember to cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough.

3. Sit Outdoors

It’s best if you all sit outside and enjoy the fresh air too. That way, you are less likely to contaminate commonly touched surfaces indoors. Moreover, sitting in the yard or porch can make it easier to maintain a safe distance.

If, however, you are unable to sit outside, consider opening windows to increase fresh air circulation. It's a simple extra precautionary measure that will help keep everyone safe.

4. Keep Gatherings Small

It’s wiser if you visit your parents in small groups to prevent overcrowding. So, if you have other siblings, make sure to coordinate the days when you each plan to visit. Not only will your parents be happy to see all of their children, but it will also help keep their loneliness at bay.

It’s also wiser to limit your social interactions. Keeping visits short helps reduce any prolonged exposure and leaves lesser room to transmit the virus, if anyone is infected.

5. Avoid Eating And Drinking

Having a meal together is a common way of transmitting the virus. Sharing cutlery and food can easily pass the infection, so try to avoid it altogether. If it can’t be avoided,  use only disposable utensils so that there is no cross-contamination while cleaning up the dishes. 

6. Consider Going By Car

If your parents live in the next state, avoid traveling by plane or train where chances of infection are higher. It’s safer to go in your own car, but you need to be extra careful along the way as well. 

Wear gloves and use hand sanitizer to limit exposure when stopping for gas. Pack your own food so that you don’t need to stop at public restaurants. Use a rest stop that has ventilated bathrooms and plenty of supplies, and make sure to avoid standing too close to others when lining up for the toilet.

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7. Use The Help Of Technology

If you can’t visit your parents in person, don’t feel bad. One of the simplest ways to keep in touch is through video calls. FaceTime, Whatsapp, and Skype are common chatting apps that support video calls. So, even if your parents reside far away, they’re only a call away.

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All Set For Your Next Visit?

Though there is no way to ensure complete safety, you can take steps to reduce risks of coronavirus transmission. It seems like social distancing and self-isolation are painting a gloomy picture nowadays, but we can simply focus on happier moments and not let the dismal atmosphere dampen our thoughts. Staying positive and maintaining relationships with friends and family is essential, for you as well as your loved ones.