Schools face major challenges as they reopen for the 2020-2021 school year. To help reduce the spread of the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19 among staff and students, schools will follow new policies and practices. This causes many parents to wonder how this will affect their child with food allergies or asthma.
In most school districts, we can expect to see policies about face coverings or masks, physical distancing and cleaning. These new policies may affect how schools handle food allergies. But in most cases, the impact on kids with food allergies should be minor. In fact, some policies may enhance prevention of food allergic reactions. Here are how some COVID-19 policies may impact food allergy management:
- Face coverings or masks – Overall, wearing a face covering or mask should not have much impact on food allergy management. Parents and teachers should remind kids to not share masks to prevent both COVID-19 and food cross-contact. If you supply masks for your child, write their name on the inside with a laundry marker to make sure they can always identify their mask.
- Physical distancing – Keeping kids apart should reduce the chances for food sharing and accidental food cross-contact at mealtimes.
- Classroom meals – Some schools may serve meals in the classrooms. Kids will likely be separated due to physical distancing. This can reduce food sharing and cross-contact. Because some teachers may be new to the role of monitoring lunch, schools should empower them to read labels to identify food allergens. Kids With Food Allergies (KFA) has guides on how to read food labels. Teachers should also discourage food sharing to prevent both food allergy reactions and COVID-19.
- Hand-washing – Frequent hand-washing, especially after eating or touching food, has always been encouraged to prevent food allergy reactions. Many schools will require more frequent hand-washing to reduce the spread of the new coronavirus. This can also lower the chance of food cross-contact on shared surfaces.
- Increased cleaning – Schools will increase cleaning to reduce the spread of the new coronavirus. Cleaning more often can also reduce the spread of food particles. To also reduce the chance of food allergy reactions, schools should consider cleaning desks after meals and snacks.
What Parents Can Do to Prepare for the New School Year
Start the process now to get your child’s school health forms signed. It may take longer this year because of COVID-19. Contact your school to get the current copies of their forms. And then call your child’s doctor to find out how they are handling form signing. Some offices may only sign them by appointment this year. Make plans now so you can submit the signed forms to the school as soon as possible.
If your child has a 504 plan, contact the school to find out if policy changes will affect the plan.
Guidance for Schools on Food Allergies, Asthma and COVID-19
There are several resources schools can use to protect students and staff with food allergies and asthma during COVID-19 policy changes.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has guidance for reopening schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. They encourage schools to keep food allergies in mind when creating new policies. The CDC also offers general guidance schools can follow to manage food allergies, called “Voluntary Guidelines for Managing Food Allergies In Schools and Early Care and Education Programs.”
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) created a COVID-19 and Asthma Toolkit for Schools. This resource supplements current district, state and federal reopening guidelines. It has resources to help schools better manage asthma and while addressing the new coronavirus. It also has AAFA’s “Is it COVID-19, the Flu, a Cold or Allergies?” symptoms chart for quick reference (in English and Spanish) and a list of resources.
The toolkit includes easy-to-use checklists schools can use daily to manage asthma and minimize the spread of the new coronavirus.