Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Researchers Probe Long-Term Effects Of COVID On Children
The Wall Street Journal: As Child Covid Cases Rise, Doctors Watch For Potential Long-Term Effects
As more children become infected with Covid-19, doctors are paying closer attention to potential long-term effects. In adults, one of Covid’s most troubling effects has been so-called long-haul cases, in which people whose illness initially seemed moderate end up having symptoms for months, sometimes getting worse over time. Now as doctors warn that children may be more vulnerable to the virus than initially believed, researchers are looking more closely at longer-term symptoms in kids, too. (Reddy, 8/24)
AP: WHO: Children Aged 6-To-11 Should Wear Masks At Times, Too
Just as millions of children are heading back to school, the World Health Organization says those aged 6 to 11 should wear masks in some cases to help fight the spread of coronavirus. The recommendations presented Monday follow the widespread belief that children under 12 are not considered as likely to propagate the virus as much as adults. Children in general face less severe virus symptoms than do adults, with the elderly the most vulnerable to severe infection and death. (Keaten, 8/24)
CIDRAP: 40 Million Adults Who Work Or Live With Children At Risk For Severe COVID-19
A research letter published late last week in the Annals of Internal Medicine has found that about 40 million US adults who work or live with school-aged children have definite or possible risk factors for severe COVID-19, carrying implications for fall school reopenings. Researchers from Harvard Medical School and City University of New York at Hunter College who analyzed representative data from the 2018 National Health Interview Survey showed that 2.9 million of 5.8 million K-12 teachers (50.6%) had definite or possible risk factors for serious coronavirus illness, including obesity (32.1%), heart conditions (8.0%), and cancer (0.7%). Of nonteaching staff, 55.8% had definite or possible risk factors. (8/24)
ABC News: Between COVID-19 And Shootings, A Question Emerges: What To Do With Classroom Doors?
As schools reopen with in-person learning, there are scores of questions about what that will look like. One in particular educators have been anticipating: Between COVID-19 and concerns about school shootings, what do we do with classroom doors? Recommended protocols for the coronavirus may be at odds with active shooters policies. Where the former advises opening doors to increase ventilation, the latter typically recommends keeping them closed and locked to protect students from potential intruders. (Deliso, 8/24)
