Thread by @sm, 0/ I usually do these on Fridays but I've been on vacation [...]

0/ I usually do these on Fridays but I've been on vacation (aka taking care of 3 kids fulltime) for the past 1.5 weeks and a lot of news has come out on kids and covid so I wanted to give a special Sunday edition of my update.

1/ One piece of big news recently is this new Covid variant that was first reported in the UK and now found in the US. Data is pointing to this new variant being much more contagious than the original https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/01/02/952842631/new-covid-19-variant-spreads-to-dozens-of-countries

New COVID-19 Variant Spreads To Dozens Of Countries

The new strain, which likely originated in the U.K. in September, has spread to more than 30 countries across several continents. Meanwhile, the U.S. saw record COVID-19 deaths in December.

https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/01/02/952842631/new-covid-19-variant-spreads-to-dozens-of-countries

2/ So how does this impact kids? I saw some click-baity tweets that this new variant is more severe in children. Not true. It continues to be the case that "the overwhelming majority of children and young people have no symptoms or very mild illness only." https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-55518248

Coronavirus: No increase in severe child cases, paediatricians say

"Covid is rife in hospitals, but not among children," consultant paediatrician Dr Ronny Cheung said.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-55518248

3/ Of course, a variant that is more contagious is still bad news—very bad news—especially for the elderly and at-risk. Look at what is happening in the UK. We need the vaccine distributed faster!!

4/ I liked this op-ed from my/everyone’s favorite medical expert @Bob_Wachter: "It’s time to change the plan" https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/01/03/its-time-consider-delaying-second-dose-coronavirus-vaccine/

Opinion | It’s time to consider delaying the second dose of coronavirus vaccine

In a perfect world, everyone would get two shots. But our situation is far from perfect.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/01/03/its-time-consider-delaying-second-dose-coronavirus-vaccine/

5/ So far, the vaccine rollout in the US has been beyond bad. We should be outraged. At this rate it will take years to vaccinate everyone. Fixing this will need to be top priority for Biden when he takes office https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshuacohen/2021/01/03/covid-19-vaccinations-bumpy-rollout-in-the-us/?sh=5141a12d3ff6

Covid-19 Vaccination’s Bumpy Rollout In The U.S.

Inoculation programs are informed by a carefully planned system for distributing vaccines as effectively and equitably as possible. A lesson to be drawn from the bumpy vaccine rollout is that federal...

https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshuacohen/2021/01/03/covid-19-vaccinations-bumpy-rollout-in-the-us/?sh=5141a12d3ff6

6/ Which means fixing other things may take a back seat in the first 100 days. Child care providers are getting some relief from the latest Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021, but less than they need https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/21/covid-relief-child-care-10-billion-dollars.html

Congress proposes $10 billion in relief for the child-care industry, but advocates say it's only a...

Lawmakers agreed to a $900 billion Covid-19 relief package that provides $10 billion for the child-care industry, but advocates say it isn't enough long term.

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/21/covid-relief-child-care-10-billion-dollars.html

7/ We all certainly have our work cut out for us this year. Anyone else ready to roll up their sleeves and get started tomorrow? Let's go!

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