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Three new important studies came out in the past week about kids & #COVID19. All have limits (the science isn't perfect). But together, they matter, & you deserve to know about them!
A thread on the takeaways for all of us, as parents / teachers / communities?
A thread on the takeaways for all of us, as parents / teachers / communities?
1) First, this one from S Korea and @CDCMMWR: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/26/10/20-1315_article
Like all the studies, this one wasn't perfect, but the takeaway: Older kids most likely transmit #COVID19 to their household at rates similar to adults. And younger kids transmit the virus, too.
Like all the studies, this one wasn't perfect, but the takeaway: Older kids most likely transmit #COVID19 to their household at rates similar to adults. And younger kids transmit the virus, too.
What does that mean for the rest of us? It means that:
a] in schools, kids can likely transmit to teachers & vice versa, BUT
b] this study was done in households: so NO MASKS OR DISTANCING. (Very important point!)
a] in schools, kids can likely transmit to teachers & vice versa, BUT
b] this study was done in households: so NO MASKS OR DISTANCING. (Very important point!)
2) Second, this one from Chicago and @JAMA_current:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2768952
Takeway: the level of the virus in kids is AT LEAST as high as the level of virus in adults.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2768952
Takeway: the level of the virus in kids is AT LEAST as high as the level of virus in adults.
(Caveat: we don't know whether this virus is infectious. But this data matches what we know about other respiratory viruses.
The next step will be studying test swabs to see if kids' virus can reproduce. I suspect it can.)
The next step will be studying test swabs to see if kids' virus can reproduce. I suspect it can.)
What does it mean for the rest of us?
a] It supports that (contrary to earlier data), kids DO get infected and DO have high levels of virus.
b] We still need to practice #publichealth precautions. We can't let kids ignore #SocialDistancing & #MaskUp just bc they're kids.
a] It supports that (contrary to earlier data), kids DO get infected and DO have high levels of virus.
b] We still need to practice #publichealth precautions. We can't let kids ignore #SocialDistancing & #MaskUp just bc they're kids.
3) Finally, this very provocative study on schools & #COVID19, also in @JAMA_current.
Takeaway: States with early closure of schools had reduced levels of #COVID19 c/w states with late closure, *even after* adjusting for policies like "stay-at-home". https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2769034
Takeaway: States with early closure of schools had reduced levels of #COVID19 c/w states with late closure, *even after* adjusting for policies like "stay-at-home". https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2769034
Importantly, this study looks at ASSOCIATION not causation.
As I know from my #gunviolence work, policies often serve as a proxy for culture. So the states with early shut-down of schools may have differed in other, intangible, unmeasured ways from those with late closure.
As I know from my #gunviolence work, policies often serve as a proxy for culture. So the states with early shut-down of schools may have differed in other, intangible, unmeasured ways from those with late closure.
But....
What does it mean for the rest of us?
Once #COVID19 infection rates start to rise, it would be foolhardy to keep schools open IRL. And we should be planning NOW for how to keep kids healthy, safe, & fed, because that moment will likely come for every state.
What does it mean for the rest of us?
Once #COVID19 infection rates start to rise, it would be foolhardy to keep schools open IRL. And we should be planning NOW for how to keep kids healthy, safe, & fed, because that moment will likely come for every state.
4) In sum, these scientific studies, combined with recent news reports on rising hospitalizations of kids in FL and AZ, are changing our knowledge about kids & infection. https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/27/health/florida-covid-children-hospitalizations/index.html
To be clear, as outlined by my colleague @ProfEmilyOster, there are plenty of examples of camps & daycares that have avoided transmission, even in hot-spot areas of the country. https://emilyoster.substack.com/p/triangulating-evidence-on-outbreaks
Realistically, we MUST control levels of community transmission of #COVID19 if we want kids & teachers in schools.
We may be able to send kids back, but we need PPE & regular, random testing of kids & teachers, whether in elementary, middle, high school, or college
We may be able to send kids back, but we need PPE & regular, random testing of kids & teachers, whether in elementary, middle, high school, or college
5) Finally, on a bigger level: We keep saying we want schools to open because they provide food, shelter, social support.
As a researcher on teen violence & mental health, I know these matter.
BUT IF WE REALLY CARE ABOUT KIDS' HEALTH, let's act like it.
As a researcher on teen violence & mental health, I know these matter.
BUT IF WE REALLY CARE ABOUT KIDS' HEALTH, let's act like it.
--> It's not schools' fault that we rely on them for far too much.
Let's think outside the box of ways we can do it all, instead of forcing families to decide (in high #COVID19 prevalence states) between food/work vs. infection/death. .
Let's think outside the box of ways we can do it all, instead of forcing families to decide (in high #COVID19 prevalence states) between food/work vs. infection/death. .
--> And, if we really care about kids' health, let's make it possible for them to not get infected in the first place.
#TestTraceIsolate #MaskUp and #FollowTheScience
#TestTraceIsolate #MaskUp and #FollowTheScience
7) Last, bc I've been getting asked a lot, what will I do with my kids?
For now, I will be sending them back, but ONLY because I'm in a low-prevalence state; & our school will enforce masks & decrease classroom size.
(Caveat: my decision may change, if the data changes.)
For now, I will be sending them back, but ONLY because I'm in a low-prevalence state; & our school will enforce masks & decrease classroom size.
(Caveat: my decision may change, if the data changes.)
TL/DR?
* Kids do get sick
* Kids do transmit the virus
* School is still possible ... but only with strict precautions & if community infection rates are low
* NO MATTER WHAT, #MaskUp and insist on testing
/fin
* Kids do get sick
* Kids do transmit the virus
* School is still possible ... but only with strict precautions & if community infection rates are low
* NO MATTER WHAT, #MaskUp and insist on testing
/fin
PS: I also want to give a shout-out to @apoorva_nyc who has done an amazing job covering these issues for @nytimes
eg https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/30/health/coronavirus-children.html
and
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/18/health/coronavirus-children-schools.html
eg https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/30/health/coronavirus-children.html
and
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/18/health/coronavirus-children-schools.html
