- Asthma Society launches their Back2School Checklist to support parents of children with asthma during COVID-19
- One in four calls to Asthma Adviceline in relation to children returning to school during COVID-19
September has always been one of the riskiest times of the year for people with asthma, especially children. Doctors see a significant spike in hospital visits and admissions of children with asthma, as a result of what is known as the 'September Asthma Peak'. This year, due to COVID-19 children with asthma will require extra protection during the return to school.
The Asthma Society of Ireland is today launching its Back2School Checklist as part of its Life alongside COVID-19 campaign.
The Asthma Society’s Back2School Checklist, which is available to download from asthma.ie, will help support children returning to education and their parents by providing them with the necessary information on staying safe in school in a world where COVID-19 is ever present.
Emily Blennerhassett, interim CEO of the Asthma Society of Ireland, said: “Our services have experienced a high demand of calls relating to the reopening of schools. One in ten calls to our Asthma and COPD Adviceline are directly related to returning to school during COVID-19. Parents are concerned for their children with asthma, teachers with chronic respiratory conditions are worried about returning to the classroom, and young people themselves are anxious about how they are going to cope in a school environment with their condition.
The Asthma Society wants to support all people with asthma and COPD as schools reopen. Protecting their health is our top priority. In light of COVID-19, asthma management is more important than ever before.
Our Back2School checklist is a good place to start if you are worried about school, asthma management, and COVID-19.”
Our Back2School Checklist for parents with children who have asthma can be downlaoded from here
To further support parents, teachers, and young people with asthma moving into the 2020/2021 school year, the Asthma Society will be hosting a Facebook live on August 13 at 4pm over on @AsthmaIreland featuring a respiratory specialist nurse. The Facebook live will be followed by a Pediatric Webinar on August 18, featuring asthma and children experts discussing the return to school. The Facebook live and Webinar will provide parents, young people, and teachers with an opportunity to learn about the importance of asthma management as schools re-open.
The Asthma Society is also considering those in college with respiratory diseases returning to work during COVID-19. A Facebook live featuring a respiratory nurse specialist speaking about asthma management in college will be held on August 18.
Emily Blennerhassett continued: “College too can be a difficult time for young people with asthma. For many starting college, they will be in charge of managing their condition for the first time. We want to reach out and ensure they understand their asthma and are able to care for themselves.
We would love to visit schools and colleges to give them an opportunity to speak to a nurse directly about their asthma management. However, due to COVID-19, this cannot be the case. That’s why we have moved our campaign online. We will be hosting two Facebook lives and a pediatric webinar as part of this campaign in a bid to reach and support as many people as possible”
The Asthma Society’s Life Alongside COVID-19 campaign launched last month, with resources to support people returning and readjusting to work outside of the home. This campaign is proudly supported by AstraZeneca.
Federico Viganò, Company President AstraZeneca Ireland, said: “We were delighted with the success and interaction received since the Asthma Society’s initial launch of the Life Alongside COVID-19 campaign. A return to school and education can be a difficult time for children with asthma, their parents, and their teachers. We are happy to support the Asthma Society and believe that this campaign will provide the necessary support to those who are most vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19”
The Asthma Society’s new Beating Breathlessness WhatsApp Patient Support Service has proven to be an excellent resource for those who need help managing their asthma or COPD in context of COVID-19. People with asthma or COPD who have concerns about the reopening of schools and asthma management in light of COVID-19, can send a WhatsApp message to 086 059 0132 to start a conversation with an asthma and COPD nurse specialist today.
