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0/ Ok it’s been a BIG week for news in the land of child care + covid. Let’s do this @Bob_Wachter style with the top updates
1/ Can kids spread covid? https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/20/parenting/coronavirus-children-spread-covid-19.html This has been a question since DAY 1 and there is still so much we don’t know. But here’s what we do know:
2/ Children <10, and especially children <5, on average get a less severe version of covid and it looks like they also don’t play a huge role in transmission. THIS IS GOOD NEWS! But remember, we have to be pedantic about age here. You can’t lump all “children” together!
3/ So, if YOUNGER kids are safer and less of a transmission vector, should I send my kid back to daycare? https://www.wired.com/story/should-i-send-my-kid-back-to-day-care/ One key is to understand what’s going on in your local area.
4/ In areas with high community spread, there is more risk that someone is going to bring covid into your daycare, and it’s more likely to be a staff member than a student (see https://emilyoster.substack.com/p/friday-bonus-child-care-data)
5/ Another key is to understand the safety measures your daycare is taking because it makes a BIG difference. Here’s how to do that: https://winnie.com/blog/covid-19-safety-data-for-child-care-programs-winnie
6/ If you’re curious what I’m doing, I’m sending my kids. One is in “camp” now and the other will start daycare in a month when she’s old enough. The center is taking a number of key precautions (masks for staff, temp checks, small consistent groups, etc)
7/ This article was WIDELY CIRCULATED in all the moms circles https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/15/parenting/working-moms-coronavirus.html The pandemic is hurting women’s careers more than men’s. This is unfortunate, but not surprising to any mother.
8/ And finally, a new concept of “pods” or “microschools” has emerged as a "solution" (albeit a terrible one) to public schools not being onsite this fall. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-07-23/silicon-valley-bets-big-on-microschools-and-pods
9/ These pods are problematic and won’t work for 99% of the population who can’t afford to hire a teacher or not work. We worked with our provider network @Winnie to launch http://winnie.com/school-care . Read more about why here: https://winnie.com/blog/school-age-care-for-everyone
10/ That’s it for now. Stay safe, wear your damn mask, and have a nice weekend!
