Back to school with Coronavirus
Just days before the start of the new school year, many parents are experiencing a mix of feelings between the joy of the beginning and the uncertainty and fear caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Like scientists, healthcare professionals, and authorities, parents do not know what will happen when classes start and when children begin to interact with other children. Since the pandemic began, it was believed that children were the main spreaders, as is the case with more common infections like the flu, colds, or gastroenteritis, which is why schools were closed. Other studies conducted after the closure of schools stated the opposite, but it is important to consider that when these studies were conducted, children were already confined and without contact with other children or adults.
Currently, at the end of August, the Hospital Sant Joan de Déu through its Kids Corona Study, in which they have monitored more than 2,000 children and adolescents participating in summer camps in Barcelona, has made public the data collected for over 5 weeks. This study shows that children have a lower virus transmission capacity than the surrounding population, and those who get infected have mild symptoms. It also pointed out that most activities were carried out outdoors, groups were small with 10 or fewer children, and frequent hand washing measures were implemented to contain the virus.
Conclusions
This study has led to the decision-making of the measures that schools should adopt to ensure a safe and controlled return: the use of "bubble" groups, wearing masks, and frequent hand washing. Respecting these measures is crucial to help contain the virus.
Although these findings are not as alarming as initially thought at the beginning of the pandemic, we are dealing with a virus that mutates and changes constantly, and therefore, we must adapt to its evolution as it progresses.
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