Allegheny Health Network Pediatrician Explains Coronavirus to Children in New E-Book


Dr. Deborah Rotenstein

My hope is that this book will provide families and other caretakers of young children with a resource that helps them better explain all of the issues and confusion surrounding this virus.

Dr. Deborah Rotenstein, a pediatric endocrinologist with Allegheny Health Network (AHN), is helping families explain the uncertainties brought upon by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to children in a newly released e-book, Because of the Coronavirus.

“My new granddaughter was born in Israel in March, so I needed a way to explain to her three-year-old sister why her grandparents couldn’t come to visit,” explained Dr. Rotenstein. “My hope is that this book will provide families and other caretakers of young children with a resource that helps them better explain all of the issues and confusion surrounding this virus.”

The 24-page e-book illustrates the many impacts of the virus on daily life, including the cancellation of trips, remote learning and working, businesses being closed, event cancellations, empty grocery store shelves, and the subsequent effects of social distancing from a child’s perspective. The explanation of a virus is also broken down in an easy to understand format for children, and also emphasizes ways to prevent the virus and stay healthy, such as hand washing.

Families can download the book as a free PDF on the book’s Facebook page, and an audio version with illustrations from the book is also available on YouTube. While the book is free to download, readers are encouraged to consider making a donation to coronavirus relief efforts.

“The book also teaches children about acts of kindness during a time when we all must make changes to our lives,” added Dr. Rotenstein.

About the Allegheny Health Network:

Allegheny Health Network (AHN.org), a Highmark Health company, is an integrated healthcare delivery system serving the greater Western Pennsylvania region. The Network is composed of 12 hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, Health + Wellness Pavilions, an employed physician organization, home and community-based health services, a research institute, and a group purchasing organization. The Network provides patients with access to a complete spectrum of advanced medical services, including nationally recognized programs for primary and emergency care, trauma care, cardiovascular disease, organ transplantation, cancer care, orthopedic surgery, neurology and neurosurgery, women’s health, diabetes, autoimmune disease and more. AHN employs approximately 21,000 people, has more than 2,500 physicians on its medical staff and serves as a clinical campus for Drexel University College of Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine, and the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.

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