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This just out: @AmyTanMD and I make the case that by not mandating masks for K-12 children in schools, we are playing Russian roulette with the health of our children, educators and communities.
Why?
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#SafeSeptember #Masks4Canada @DFisman @AshTuite https://link.medium.com/iVB4wW4768
Why?
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#SafeSeptember #Masks4Canada @DFisman @AshTuite https://link.medium.com/iVB4wW4768
1. Children represent ~3–9% of COVID-19 infections. This fraction is rising in the US due to testing and increased exposure. Although children have less severe symptoms than adults, why some children get sicker and a rare few die is still unknown.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/pediatric-hcp.html
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https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/pediatric-hcp.html
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2. Children transmit COVID-19 to household and non-household contacts with resulting severe outcomes, such as death. Expectant mothers infected with COVID-19 tend to have more severe outcomes than other women of reproductive age.
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/08/why-pregnant-women-face-special-risks-covid-19
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https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/08/why-pregnant-women-face-special-risks-covid-19
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3. #LongCOVID reported by 10–15% of patients represents a risk for long-term disability for family members and school staff. It is too early to document long-term effects on child development, as this is our first year of COVID-19. Masks = Precaution.
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/08/long-haulers-covid-19-recognition-support-groups-symptoms/615382/
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https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/08/long-haulers-covid-19-recognition-support-groups-symptoms/615382/
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4. Masks are effective in schools, which violate the 3C’s of avoiding COVID-19: they are closed spaces with poor ventilation, crowded, involve close contact. Masks are the most inexpensive tool to break the chain of air-borne transmission.
/5 https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/coronavirus-canada-schools-1.5679090
/5 https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/coronavirus-canada-schools-1.5679090
5. Parents and educators can teach children to wear masks using the 4 P’s: play, practice, preparation and patience. Having a comfortable, well-fitting mask is crucial for daily use over hours. @ChildLifeMorgan
/6 https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2020/08/16/kids-masks-and-anxiety-a-back-to-school-guide-for-ontario-parents.html
/6 https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2020/08/16/kids-masks-and-anxiety-a-back-to-school-guide-for-ontario-parents.html
6. Masks are an important piece in a comprehensive strategy for safe schools, which includes: low community transmission, distancing, hand hygiene, and improved surveillance.
Let's mandate masks for K-12 children in *all* Canadian schools.
/END https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-we-can-get-children-back-to-school-full-time-if-we-put-the-right/
Let's mandate masks for K-12 children in *all* Canadian schools.
/END https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-we-can-get-children-back-to-school-full-time-if-we-put-the-right/
