Washington Post: Delta Variant no more concerning for children than original strain

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“Be thoughtful about what you’re doing, where you’re going, and outdoors is safer than in. In larger crowds, wear a mask. And that applies to kids down to 2.”

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“Nothing we do is risk free. But having our daycares continue to do what they’re doing — teachers masking, have children 2 and up masking, and not mixing teachers and classrooms — are all things we still need to be doing to keep everyone safe.”

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So I think that vaccinating and masking in schools and childcare settings is the way to go right now.”

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Bartlett hopes that parents in areas where masks aren’t mandated will make it clear to children that it’s important to mask up when indoors.

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In a recommendation that goes beyond directives from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Academy of Pediatrics has advised that everyone in schools wear masks

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“I’m very concerned about schools that are not mandating mask use,” Bartlett said. “I don’t have great solutions at the moment other than [pointing out that] clearly the AAP is very strong in our opinion about wearing masks all the time in schools where not everyone is vaccinated.”

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“Kids do fine with masks. … They understand the rationale behind it,” Bartlett said. “They’re vulnerable and want to get back to hanging out with friends. Masking will allow them to do that.”

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