Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
CDC Updates Covid Mask Rules For Children, Child Care
CNN: CDC Updates Its Covid-19 Guidance For Childcare Programs
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday updated its guidance for childcare programs during the pandemic, emphasizing the importance of mask-wearing for everyone 2 years of age and older, as well as air ventilation and other strategies. "Early last year, CDC released initial guidance for childcare programs during Covid-19. As we learn more about the virus, CDC experts updated that guidance several times throughout 2020," CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said during a White House briefing on Friday. Today, CDC is again releasing updated guidance based on the most recent science," Walensky said. "That science includes additional evidence showing that, when used consistently and correctly, prevention strategies such as mask-wearing, staying home when sick, and good hand hygiene can allow childcare programs to operate safely and reduce the spread of Covid-19." (Howard, 3/12)
Fox News: CDC Updates Coronavirus Guidance For Child Care Centers
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated guidance for operating child care programs in several areas including expanded background on what is known about COVID-19 and transmission in child care settings, recommendations for mask use and information for children with special needs and disabilities. The new guidance, which is intended for all types of child care programs, including child care centers, family child care homes, Head Start programs and other pre-kindergarten programs, marks the first update since July. (Hein, 3/12)
Axios: CDC Updates Coronavirus Guidance For Child Care Providers
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday updated its coronavirus guidance for child care providers, which stresses the importance of mask use for anyone aged 2 years and older. The updated guidance comes as some states begin to reopen and relax COVID-19 restrictions, including lifting masks mandates. (3/13)
And in related news about children and covid —
Axios: Fauci: CDC "Analyzing" Data That Could Modify Social Distancing Guidance To 3 Feet
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is looking at data that suggests "3 feet are okay under certain circumstances," for social distancing guidelines, NIAID Director Anthony Fauci said on CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday. One of the biggest hurdles for school administrators and a barrier to reopening is making sure students stay the recommended 6 feet apart. Fauci said "it won't be very long" for the CDC to potentially adjust official guidelines on social distancing policies, if the data suggests 3 feet of distance won't negatively affect people's safety. (Arias, 3/14)
