Sobering perspective from @dgurdasani1 on #Covid19 in kids. 12-15% infected will develop chronic complications (shortness of breath, chest pain, GI issues, fatigue) whether initially symptomatic or not. Watch this please 1/

This translates to 1/7 primary & 1/8 secondary school kids infected.
Kids < 12 are less likely to show symptoms and therefore less likely to be tested than teens or adults. But still at risk to become #CovidLongHaulers 2/

Furthermore, there is NO evidence to support the notion that kids don't transmit the virus effectively to others at higher risk (eg vulnerable elders). In fact, good evidence that those aged > 10 do it just as well. 3/

Adaptive variants now challenge us further by providing an even more transmissible, lethal form of an already serious but not plainly visible virus. How does reopening schools with no new mitigation strategies make any sense? It doesn't 4/

Schools DO need to open to help kids stay healthy socially & academically. Parents need help making $ & maintaining mental health. But without additional safeguards, we are putting everyone at risk, including children themselves. 5/

What to do then?
1. Start testing kids - mobile units for PCR, and USE rapid tests, especially in hard hit areas
2. Mandate masks indoors & outdoors
3. Hepa filters for poorly ventilated schools
4. $ sick leave for low-income families
#EquityisHealth 6/

Half measures don't work in a pandemic with new mutant recruits. Protect our children. Protect our communities. Don't flush our efforts away. 7/ End