How Safe?

[bryantem]

m trying to figure out some stuff to do with the kids during our long spring break this month which is still during RSV season. I was told Addisyn could go to outside places like the park. How safe do you think the zoo will be? I want to take them this year before it gets too hot. It is getting hot already. It is supposed to be 90 degrees today.

[Niff]

Hmm... depends how packed the zoo is. I think you would be fairly safe if you mainly stay outdoors and you stay away from the crowds. RSV season is coming to an end, so it shouldn't be as worrisome as when it was at it's peak. Perhaps you could pick a time where there won't be too many people - like before noon?

[saywhatyouwill]

we've never avoided crowds and we've never had RSV.

the zoo sounds fun :-)

[kirafaesmom]

Do you have any of the pediatric face masks? It can be placed over the trach to add a level of protection.....we keep several in our "Go" bag for trips to the clinic/therapy. I have some with Mickey Mouse on them if you would like some....

[TommysDad]

We take Tommy everywhere! Church, restaurants, movie theatres, etc. I think if the weather is warm, but not too warm as to make a vent/trache child go into raspatory distress due to heat exhaustion, the zoo would be a marvelous place to go! Tommy just loves the petting zoos! Just watch out for the animals. They love the exhaled breaths!

I understand your apprehensions based on her last diagnosis of RSV, but you can't hide her and all your other children away in a bubble all Addisyn's life on what she might catch if you go out in public. But having said that, good common since does come into play as well. There's always a time and place for everything, and you know your child and your family best! But honestly, the zoo is so outdoorsy and open that making contact with germs I think is a lot less limited then if you go somewhere indoors like a Chucky E Cheese:D

I say go for it! And if you are afraid strangers will come up and want to touch her, some families say they get that mosquito netting to go over the stroller to keep unwanted hands away.

I wish it was warm enough for us to get out and go to the zoo! We've all cabin fever and are climbing the walls now! So, I'm taking Big Brother Brandon to a roller rink today on his day off, and Tommy has no nurse. So, he's going with, VENT AND ALL!!!:D

~Maggie

[Hope]

Yes, go!!! We never had RSV either, at least while the trach was in. (Whatever she had this past winter was pretty bad and might have been RSV.) I took Shelby everywhere except nurseries (like church), but others even did that. Playgrounds, parks, mall, zoo ... and I think it was good for her (and us).

Hope

[babybear]

The only thing I'd worry about at the zoo is the dust, but I noticed you live in Arizona, so you probably deal with dust everywhere you go! I think the zoo will be fine. Go and have fun!

[Mom2TwinsPlus1]

I say go and have fun! We haven't braved the zoo yet, mainly because I dread pushing Emma's 125 lb plus wheelchair and self up the huge hills we have at our zoo.

My good friend works at our zoo. Busy times are mornings and days out of school like Saturdays. Best bet is a weekday afternoon right after lunch

[suzanne2545]

Go for it! The zoo sounds like a great outting.