Expert: Children does not Need to Wear Masks

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - It is known that the Coronavirus or also known as COVID-19, can cause severe respiratory problems not only on elders and adults but also on children.

The recent report of Coronavirus infection in Indonesia had caused many schools to encourage their students to wear masks during learning activities.

Internist and lung specialist Muhammad Ilyas, said that the mask can be used by everyone, including children. However, with the outbreak, he recommended that masks should be used by children who experience a decline in health conditions.

"If a student has a fever, cough, and cold, it is recommended to wear a mask so it cannot spread to others. But if they are healthy, it is better not to wear a mask," Ilyas said on Wednesday, March 4, 2020.

Ilyas added that there are more effective ways to prevent children from being infected by COVID-19. According to Ilyas, children should be taught how to wash their hands with soap and water properly.

"The key is clean life. So, students should be encouraged and taught how to wash their hands following the guidelines and the steps. That is more effective," Ilyas said.

Consuming healthy and nutritious food is also mandatory, especially for boarding schools and kindergartens that provide food for students.

"With healthy food, the child's immune system will improve. This will make [the child] healthy and able to fight all viruses and bacteria that cause disease," Ilyas said.

SARAH ERVINA DARA SIYAHAILATUA | GALUH KURNIA RAMADHANI (INTERN TRANSLATOR).