Re-opening Schools in the era of COVID

Discussion in 'Politics' started by gwb-trading, Jul 13, 2020.

  1. wrbtrader

    wrbtrader

    I think children not expected to be vaccinated until next year depending upon the trials results that's currently being tried.

    My guess...I wouldn't be surprise if next year they recommend vaccination for kids only when they turn 18 to go with the Tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough (pertussis) (Tdap) Meningococcal disease (MenACWY) and Hepatitis A (HepA) vaccinations.

    I remember the above vaccination shots before college when I was 17.
    wrbtrader
     
    #861     Apr 6, 2021

  2. Some states are vaccinating kids at 16. North Carolina is one of them so it will vary state by state.
     
    #862     Apr 6, 2021
  3. gwb-trading

    gwb-trading

    Only with Pfizer which is the only vaccine approved for 16 and 17 year olds in the U.S. Many states are vaccinating 16 and 17 year olds with Pfizer. North Carolina did a good number of these teenagers early on if they worked as essential workers (in grocery stores, etc.).
     
    #863     Apr 6, 2021

  4. My nephew in Raliegh getting it next week I think, no need to show conditions, just if there was a free appointment. I think less dense population so they are opening it up to next phases already.
     
    #864     Apr 6, 2021
  5. gwb-trading

    gwb-trading

    Yes... we are in Group 5 (everyone) in North Carolina. Shots for Group 5 start statewide tomorrow. They have been taking Group 5 appointments for several days now. Raleigh (Wake County) is following the state and did not start early like some other counties in N.C.

    Many rural counties (and Fayetteville) in N.C. have been giving shots to Group 5 for two weeks or so now
     
    #865     Apr 6, 2021
  6. gwb-trading

    gwb-trading

    UK variant affecting children, researchers say
    https://www.wral.com/coronavirus/uk-variant-affecting-children-researchers-say/19613363/

    A coronavirus variant first identified in the U.K. has long been known to be more contagious and more likely to make people sick than the initial form of the virus, but researchers now say it also is more likely to affect children as well.

    The B.1.1.7 variant is at least 50 percent more infectious, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it poses an increased risk of severe illness.

    Dr. David Montefiori, a professor with the Duke Human Vaccine Institute who specializes in studying coronavirus variants said about 20 percent of infections in the U.S. can now be linked to the U.K. variant.

    The variant accounted for 8.3 percent of positive virus tests in North Carolina for the four-week period that ended March 13, up from 1.3 percent for the four week period that ended Feb. 27, state Department of Health and Human Services spokeswoman Catie Armstrong said.

    "Because of its greater contagiousness, it’s more transmissible, [and] it is becoming more and more prevalent," Montefiori said.

    Children also are showing symptoms when infected with B.1.1.7, he said.

    "There are quite a few cases of kids who are getting really, really sick when they get infected with this variant,” he said. "I personally feel like we probably pulled the trigger a little too soon in terms of letting kids go back to school.”

    But Dr. Daniel Benjamin, the Kiser-Arena Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics at Duke University, disagrees.

    "When we talk about low risk, we are talking extraordinary low risk,” Benjamin said of having students in classrooms.

    Benjamin leads the ABC Science Collaborative, which has worked with school districts since last year to reopen safely.

    "The bottom line about variants is that they don’t get through masks any more than COVID did six months ago," he said. "If [students] are not masking – and mask fatigue outside of the school environment is certainly happening – then it’s more transmissible. Therefore, more children are getting infected."

    Physicians say prevention efforts outside of school will be key in keeping the virus out of the classroom.

    The severity of the the U.K. variant isn't specific to children, according to state health officials, who encourage people of all ages to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

    "For parents of children who are eligible to get the vaccine, now is the time to start getting the vaccine, especially if they are going to participate in contact sports,” Benjamin said.

    Available vaccines have proved effective in fighting the B.1.1.7 variant, but only the Pfizer vaccine has been authorized for 16- and 17-year-olds. Tests are still being conducted on the safety and efficacy of vaccines in younger teens and children.

    Pfizer has reported its vaccine is 100 percent effective among 12- to 15-year-olds. The company could seek emergency use authorization for that age group as early as May.

    Until then, Montefiori recommends following the well-known "three W's" to keep youngsters safe.

    "We don’t have to keep them locked up in their rooms 24/7, but use common sense," he said. “Stay away from crowded places, have them wear their masks [and] have them wash their hands frequently."
     
    #866     Apr 6, 2021
  7. gwb-trading

    gwb-trading

    More news... Toronto taking the proper steps to suspend in-person classes when community prevalence of COVID rises above a safe threshold.

    Toronto Suspends In-Person Classes As Cases Surge In Canada's Most-Populous Province
    https://www.npr.org/sections/corona...n-classes-as-cases-surge-in-canadian-province
     
    #867     Apr 7, 2021
  8. jem

    jem

    yes... good plan... gwb praises.

    Lockdown after lockdown of the low risk...
    instead of protecting the high risk better.

    It is the definition of insanity.
     
    #868     Apr 7, 2021
  9. Tsing Tao

    Tsing Tao

     
    #869     Apr 8, 2021
  10. gwb-trading

    gwb-trading

    CDC: Restrictions needed to slow Michigan virus surge, specifically in indoor youth sports
    https://www.clickondetroit.com/news...on-vaccines-not-restrictions-to-combat-covid/

    The director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging Michigan -- and other states struggling with increased COVID-19 spread -- to impose restrictions to curb infections, specifically within indoor youth sports.

    While those aged 20-39 years old have the highest case rates -- and are driving virus hospitalizations in Michigan -- K-12 schools top the list of coronavirus outbreak locations in the state. High schools are particularly problematic.

    “I encourage communities to make adjustments to meet their unique needs and circumstances,” said CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky. “For example, in areas of substantial or high community transmission, CDC guidance specifically suggests refraining from youth sports that are not outside and cannot be conducted at least six feet apart.”
     
    #870     Apr 8, 2021