MCPS Community COVID update
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Anonymous
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University of Maryland College Park just sent out the linked message regarding rising Covid cases:
https://view.email.umd.edu/?qs=67c2f0e578c07d57646a32b77e380ee2bec855680dec1f5b869d9b7bb30bf7a1d595c0dbfb087da23f89ebe5069434b63a202f0d71765b8c7694215bc640b196bd65061b91dbadc0 Excerpt: "Dear campus community, As the fall semester is underway, I’m writing to remind you of the COVID-19 protocols and guidelines in effect for the beginning of the academic year. Masks: Wearing a mask is not required while indoors. However, as a reminder, masks are a significant defense against the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses. Testing: Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to take a rapid antigen COVID-19 test if you develop symptoms of COVID-19. Tests are currently available at the Health Center. If you test positive, you should isolate per CDC guidelines. Please report your positive test at return.umd.edu. Once you have reported your test result, you will receive detailed information and guidance by email. Vaccination: For some individuals and people who are immunocompromised, staying up to date on your COVID-19 vaccine continues to be an important way to reduce the risk of severe illness. COVID-19 vaccines are available at the University Health Center as well as local pharmacies." I like how this at least acknowledges that masks are an important way to protect oneself against Covid. On the vaccination topic, I'll note that the CDC is scheduled to discuss approving the newest formulation of the covid vaccine booster next week. All our kids are probably close to a year away from their last booster shot, and this new formulation is designed to protect against XBB variants (and Moderna just announced today that it produces antibodies against the newest variants that are circulating: BA.2.86, EG.5 etc. I imagine the Pfizer shot will produce similar antibodies.) We should be able to get our kids newly boosted with this monovalent booster soon, as indications are that it will be available to everyone who wants it 6 months and up. I'm hoping getting immunity up this Fall will also reduce transmission in school. |
Anonymous
Honestly, I mostly want better, healthier air quality. We could be improving ventilation and filtering the air in public spaces... that would help us all reduce the number of times any of us get sick. With Covid or Flu or RSV or any other airborne disease. |
Anonymous
Funny you should mention driving. Driving in the US should be unacceptably unsafe, but some reason, we accept it. There are a lot of things we could do to make the roads in the US as safe as the roads in Canada or Australia (to say nothing of Norway). Why aren't we doing those things? I think the attitudes/beliefs in your post demonstrate the issues, with respect to covid as well as cars and guns. https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2023/8/25/23844717/america-safe-air-travel-car-safety-accidents |
Anonymous
I’m a DP. The suggestions above seem perfectly reasonable. There’s nothing “deep end” about improving air filtration and *considering* a mask during a surge. Actually, this seems like the most reasonable and logical post I’ve seen on DCUM when it comes to Covid. It’s perfectly middle-of-the-road between being cautious and simply living life. If reasonable is now “deep end,” then perhaps it’s time to reevaluate your own stance on this. |
Anonymous
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There was a suggestion above that the chances of a bad outcome from Covid was minuscule for kids. I'm just posting a couple articles:
https://www.heart.org/en/news/2023/04/25/long-covid-in-children-still-poses-plenty-of-questions From article: ""I would say on average, we're looking at somewhere between 4% to 25% of kids who have had a SARS-CoV-2 infection go on to have symptoms of long COVID," said Rao, who also is an associate professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. However, "it's a very difficult question to answer, just because different groups are exploring this in slightly different ways, with different definitions."" Kids can end up with bad outcomes short of death. https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2023-07-21/1-in-5-kids-had-long-covid-symptoms-months-after-infection From article: "The review, of 31 international studies, found that over 16% of children and teenagers with COVID had problems such as sore throat, persistent fevers, fatigue and muscle weakness at least three months later." Have you dealt with a child with persistent muscle weakness and fatigue? https://www.salon.com/2023/08/27/long-is-debilitating-children-and-doctors-worry-there-arent-enough-centers-to-treat-them/ Do we even have the resources to treat the number of kids who will have Long Covid after letting it loose in our schools without any mitigation? Thinking about wearing a mask while cases are heading up seems super reasonable. |
Anonymous
Look up how studies define “long covid symptoms” then come back. Better yet, look at the studies that compare “long covid symptom” rates in kids that have recently had covid versus those who have not. They’re not much different. |
Anonymous
+1 It is completely ridiculous to force a asymptomatic kid to wear a mask. What a joke. And anti-science. |
Anonymous
As someone with asthma that is triggered by a variety of allergies, I’m certainly not going to argue against improved air quality, but it’s not going to change anything that I do. I’m going to do my part here. I’m done testing my kids for covid. If they’re not sick, they’re going to school. If they do get sick, they’ll stay home while they have symptoms. And if I somehow end up learning they have covid, I’m certainly not going to tell the school. It would be a waste of everyone’s time to try to get them to wear masks anyway. It took a solid 18+ months of work to get one of my kids to wear a mask at all. He hasn’t worn one in a long time, and I’m sure won’t go back to it willingly. And he’s more stubborn than the Covidians are scared, so I know who would win the masking battle. |
Anonymous
Can you please just keep your kid home when your kid is sick and infectious? |
Anonymous
Can you use your reading skills? She said she did. You just want to try to shame people. You’re going to have to try a lot harder these days. |
Anonymous
??????????? |
Anonymous
The most infectious period is the first couple days of symptoms, and sometimes a day or two before. I won’t know they have an infection before symptoms, but sure, I’ll keep them home the first couple days when they have symptoms outside their norm. But they’re perpetually stuffed up, and have mild coughs much of the time. I’m the same way. Allergies are a thing. |
Anonymous
I already had COVID twice this summer. But both of my kids have coughs and head congestion. Testing negative everyday, but sending them to school. I have many students in my classes with similar symptoms. They are all coming to school “sick” |
Anonymous
I’m not complaining about your kid being out. I’m complaining that there are t the same expectations for teachers and other professions that would collapse without even in person workers |
Anonymous
You are assuming I’m in perfect health and only need to see a doctor once a year. I am in my 40’s with a history of skin cancer and arthritis. I see a dermatologist as often as my dentist, a Rheumetologist and podiatrist every 3 months. my kids also have specialists they need to see more than once a year. And I’m at the whim of these providers having a schedule that matches mine. Many offices are now closed on Fridays or federal holidays. Doctors can cancel appointments last minute like it’s no big deal. Heaven forbid I need to call a medical office during the school year! No cell service and no time during the day except lunch when most medical offices are closed for at least an hour. Keep shaming teachers and see where it gets you! |