Faculty from New York Medical College and Zucker School of Medicine Create Free E-Book to Educate Children about the Science of COVID-19
A community outreach tool that teaches children the principles of viral transmission, social distancing and herd immunity.
Jennifer Riekert, M.B.A.
Vice President of Communications and Strategic Initiatives
New York Medical College
(914) 594-4552
jennifer_riekert@nymc.edu
Valhalla, New York – Engaging, informative and free – Kelly Stays Home: The Science of Coronavirus is a community outreach tool that teaches children the principles of viral transmission, social distancing and herd immunity and explain why they need to wash their hands, stay home from school and receive shots from their doctor to prevent illness.
In the name of public health outreach, Adam E. Block, Ph.D., assistant professor of public health at New York Medical College partnered with his wife, Lauren Block, M.D., M.P.H., a primary care physician at Northwell Health and an associate professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell to create Kelly Stays Home: The Science of Coronavirus. The free e-book seeks to educate children ages 5-12 about the science behind the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Our world has changed as a result of COVID-19 and providing our children an explanation why they are not going to school or playing with their friends is critical to controlling the pandemic. Kelly Stays Home: The Science of Coronavirus teaches children the science behind coronavirus by experts who teach physicians and public health workers by day, and now elementary school students (their children) by night. The book explains how viruses spread, how vaccines work, and what herd immunity is to ease the anxiety and fear of children. Parents will learn how families can advocate for diagnosis, treatment and help the less fortunate during the pandemic.
In addition to their roles as public health professionals, the married parents of three explain, “We wrote this book to discuss with our own kids the science behind the Coronavirus infection, symptoms and treatment. Looking at the children’s literature on the topic, we saw few resources addressing the COVID-19 pandemic from a scientific standpoint, yet accessible to kids of all ages. With all the uncertainty portrayed in the media, it can be easy to lose sight of all we do know about the illness and the steps to prevent transmission and keep our families safe.”
By making this book available free online, Drs. Block hope to provide a community resource to help families learn more about the virus together.
Book Summary: Eight-year-old Kelly is a budding scientist who learns she has to stay home because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her mom, a physician in the local hospital treating COVID-19 patients, explains how the virus spreads and causes illness, why social distancing and handwashing are important, and how vaccines will eventually help us to stay healthy.
Target Audience: For parents and children age 5-12
Website: www.KellyStaysHome.com
New York Medical College
Founded in 1860, New York Medical College (NYMC) is one of the oldest and largest health sciences colleges in the country with nearly 1,500 students and 330 residents and clinical fellows, more than 2,600 faculty members and 23,500 living alumni. The College, which joined the Touro College and University System in 2011, is located in Westchester County, New York, and offers degrees from the School of Medicine, the Graduate School of Basic Medical Sciences, the School of Health Sciences and Practice, the Touro College of Dental Medicine at NYMC and the Touro College School of Health Sciences’ nursing program at NYMC. NYMC provides a wide variety of clinical training opportunities for students, residents, and practitioners.