Last week, nearly 250,000 children tested positive for COVID-19 - the biggest weekly surge yet. Let’s break the data down. (All data is from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children’s Hospital Association joint report found here unless otherwise noted.)
TN parent of school-aged children here (both under 12). It is absolutely infuriating to see so many school boards refusing to require masks ("recommended" and "encouraged" just don't cut it). It doesn't help that we have a governor who said parents can still opt out just by writing a note, even if the school board mandates it. A few school districts are suing him over this, and winning.
There are a lot of people here who are vehemently anti-mask and it is frustrating that we are still arguing over efficacy 18 months later. People who chase doctors and nurses to their cars after school board meetings and threaten them because they spoke in favor of masks. People who say "if you are that worried, stay home" instead of caring about their children, their teachers, and their community.
We made it 3 weeks in before our county schools had to shut down for a week due to the number of covid positive students and staff. No learning took place during this period. Talk about disruption.
Last night there was a school board meeting in a neighboring County, and a lady attending literally laughed as a student was talking about his experience of his grandmother dying of COVID.
School boards are also making quarantine less strict, saying if you're asymptomatic you should still come to school.
I'm exasperated at this point, and it feels like just a matter of time before some huge horrible event happens. I'm disappointed that so many seem to not care about their community, kids, and teachers. I'm angry that this has become so political. I'm feeling so powerless to protect my kids.
My concern is do we have any data regarding impaired immunity post covid as seen with post measles infections? I am very concerned for humanity and how getting covid will effect ones overall immune system. For over a year we hardly saw any influenza at our clinic and hardly any strep. Strep is on the rise back to normalcy (yuck I know) and with “flu” season around the corner, is Delta going to outcompete influenza again? Or now that many have had covid is their immune system going to be lower and now they will be more susceptible to influenza A,B,H1N1…. Any data on that Dr. Emily?
I’m also in Texas and it’s draining. After all this time, my adult son tested positive. He’s fully vaccinated. Received his second dose in May! He’s been really sick but thankfully he’s improving after receiving MCA infusion. My granddaughter is home for 10 days. My daughter-in-law continues to test negative so we are thankful for that!
Re: In our school district - the TX numbers in comparison to a year ago: this time a year ago the kids were 100% virtual. When they went back, masks were mandatory all year until the week before school let out. And many kids continued on virtual all year. This year school started on Aug 2nd. Without masks. As of 9/1 they are required as our district has finally mandated them despite the state orders. BUT, you can exempt for medical, religious or philosophical reasons! Basically just say “I’m not going to do it”. So I have no doubt that they will be exposed again.
TN parent of school-aged children here (both under 12). It is absolutely infuriating to see so many school boards refusing to require masks ("recommended" and "encouraged" just don't cut it). It doesn't help that we have a governor who said parents can still opt out just by writing a note, even if the school board mandates it. A few school districts are suing him over this, and winning.
There are a lot of people here who are vehemently anti-mask and it is frustrating that we are still arguing over efficacy 18 months later. People who chase doctors and nurses to their cars after school board meetings and threaten them because they spoke in favor of masks. People who say "if you are that worried, stay home" instead of caring about their children, their teachers, and their community.
We made it 3 weeks in before our county schools had to shut down for a week due to the number of covid positive students and staff. No learning took place during this period. Talk about disruption.
Last night there was a school board meeting in a neighboring County, and a lady attending literally laughed as a student was talking about his experience of his grandmother dying of COVID.
School boards are also making quarantine less strict, saying if you're asymptomatic you should still come to school.
I'm exasperated at this point, and it feels like just a matter of time before some huge horrible event happens. I'm disappointed that so many seem to not care about their community, kids, and teachers. I'm angry that this has become so political. I'm feeling so powerless to protect my kids.
My concern is do we have any data regarding impaired immunity post covid as seen with post measles infections? I am very concerned for humanity and how getting covid will effect ones overall immune system. For over a year we hardly saw any influenza at our clinic and hardly any strep. Strep is on the rise back to normalcy (yuck I know) and with “flu” season around the corner, is Delta going to outcompete influenza again? Or now that many have had covid is their immune system going to be lower and now they will be more susceptible to influenza A,B,H1N1…. Any data on that Dr. Emily?
I’m also in Texas and it’s draining. After all this time, my adult son tested positive. He’s fully vaccinated. Received his second dose in May! He’s been really sick but thankfully he’s improving after receiving MCA infusion. My granddaughter is home for 10 days. My daughter-in-law continues to test negative so we are thankful for that!
Re: In our school district - the TX numbers in comparison to a year ago: this time a year ago the kids were 100% virtual. When they went back, masks were mandatory all year until the week before school let out. And many kids continued on virtual all year. This year school started on Aug 2nd. Without masks. As of 9/1 they are required as our district has finally mandated them despite the state orders. BUT, you can exempt for medical, religious or philosophical reasons! Basically just say “I’m not going to do it”. So I have no doubt that they will be exposed again.
We are back to being very vigilant.