Can you go back to work without unknowingly bringing home the virus?
Can your kids come to an outdoor restaurant with you, or take a plane for vacation?
One is how crowded and well-ventilated a space is.
Westend61 / Getty Images
The other essential variable is the current COVID-19 situation in your own area.
So check your local case rates, and consider taking more strict COVID-19 precautions accordingly.
SELF: How dangerous is COVID for kids?
Are kidsespecially those under 10 years oldat a relatively low risk of complications and symptoms?
Has this risk changed recently with the delta variant?
And are there any theoretical long-term risks of infection that we just dont cant confirm yet?
The delta variant just amps everything up.
We know its more transmissible, and kids are one of the largest unvaccinated groups.
Saad Omer:There is some uncertainty around this pandemic.
We do know that children get infected and play a clear role in transmission of the virus.
We also know that their risk of severe outcomes is lower compared to other age groups.
Regarding transmission, we have been in an artificial scenario where a lot of schools are shut down.
Data around the relative risk of children was collected in a certain context.
How it will evolve as things open up slowly remains to be seen.
That said, there are always low-level risks, including more severe respiratory illness needing oxygen and/or ventilator support.
Then there is the post-infectionmultisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), which can be quite severe.
Withnearly halfof American adults now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, are kids an important driver for new infections?
Do my unvaccinated kids pose a real risk to other unvaccinated kids or adults?
Dr. Smith:Kids can transmit the virus, although potentially less efficiently than adults.
Dr. Moody:Children are an important reservoir of infectious diseases generally.
From what data we have, seems as if COVID-19 is similar.
So yes, I think children are an important part of the transmission problem.
Unvaccinated kids and adults are the most likely to transmit.
How much of a problem is it if my toddler refuses to wear a mask?
Do you have any tips to get young kids to wear one?
Dr. Moody:I totally understand the challenges ingetting a toddler to mask.
While I dont have any magic answers, there are some things to keep in mind.
First is behavior modelingthat is, it may be wise for vaccinated parents to wear masks as an example.
Third is some amount of time masked is better than none at all.
If people cannot mask for whatever reason, physical distancing is the next important thing.
have a go at be reasonable.
If the child is visiting a sick grandparent, the stakes are higher.
Dr. Omer:When youre looking at community immunity, you are looking at group behavior.
That means masking is useful.
But it depends on the toddler, and kids are kids.
It will be very hard to tell a common summer or winter cold apart from COVID-19.
I think we are probably stuck with testing for a while.
But it seems that may not always be the case when it comes to the newer variants.
As things open up, there will be other infections like the seasonal flu.
Dr. Smith:I think the risk is low for vaccinated parents.
We have still been avoiding indoor areas but have done some outside dining.
And if they dont get it, they arent going to transmit it to their children.
So, parents having a date night out or spending time with vaccinated friends is totally reasonable.
Dr. Omer:I think there was more nuance needed in the CDCs guidance.
What precautions should parents take?
Dr. Smith:I would not risk having my unvaccinated child indoors and unmasked with unvaccinated individuals.
I would suggest trying to keep people moving around outside and require masks for times indoors.
Unvaccinated kids should wear a mask.
Dr. Moody:Hoo boy, this is a tough one.
Personally, I think that any decision needs to be balanced by a clear understanding of the unique risks.
Its hard to give a single answer because, to paraphrase Tolstoy, families each have their own way.
What if an unvaccinated aunt tries to hug or kiss my kids at a family get-together?
How risky is that contact, and should I make a run at block it?
Dr. Omer:I would discourage that behavior at this point.Were in a pandemic thats not over yet.
Setting some boundaries in that situation would be helpful.
If the aunt has cold or flu symptoms, then they should probably be practicing self-control.
The one that is hard to assess is the risk of asymptomatic infection.
One way to think about it would be to think back to similar gatherings in the past.
How frequently did you or your children get sick after one of those events in pre-COVID-19 years?
If it was frequently, then the risks are probably higher than if it was infrequently.
Do my kids need to take any extra precautions, like wearing masks at the table?
That also depends on our current infection rates.
Dr. Moody:Outdoor seating with good ventilation is good protection against transmission.
Six feet is not a magic number.
A reasonable distance of four or five feet is only slightly riskier.
Think of it as a reasonable distance, where closer is higher risk and farther is lower risk.
A tightly packed outdoor space is probably not great.
Dr. Smith:The CDC puts that inthe less safe category.
We have been doing a lot of takeout to eat in a park, for example.
How risky is it to eat at an indoor restaurant with my kids?
Do they have to put their mask back on between each bite?
Even then, is it safe?
Dr. Omer:Dont go into super-crowded restaurants.
Your unvaccinated kids can remove their masks while eating.
Dr. Moody:Its a gradation of risks and assessing where the risks actually lie.
I think trying to get anyone to mask between bites is a challenge.
I would think a strategy of get in, get out is probably better.
I do think that finding a place with outdoor seating is probably wiser, at least for now.
Dr. Smith:I would say this is unsafe.
The CDC characterizes this punch in of activity asleast safefor unvaccinated individuals.
Can my kids go back to playing sports or doing other group activities outdoors?
Should they take any particular precautions?
Dr. Omer:It depends on the activity.
I think for most activities they can remove the mask right now.
This might change if theres a change in infection rates.
Dr. Smith:This will also depend on local levels of spread.
Dr. Moody:Any child with cold or flu symptoms should not be participating, period.
As with everything else, nothing is zero risk.
Is it safe for my kids to participate in indoor sports or activities, like basketball or indoor swimming?
What can they do to stay safe?
Dr. Smith:I would look at local levels of spread and the size and ventilation of indoor locations.
Where masking isnt feasible, distancing is helpful.
Like school, summer camps are filled with mostly unvaccinated kids, but many activities are outdoors.
Is there any way my kids can safely go to summer camp?
Dr. Omer:Yes, as long as they wear a mask indoors.
Its always a good idea to encourage outside activities anyway in these situations.
Having the activities in well-ventilated and outdoor spaces certainly helps.
Dr. Omer:If youre unvaccinated its not a great idea to do these super-crowded activities.
Risk can be reduced if everyone is masked, but space and ventilation are also key.
Dr. Moody:Its all about balancing risks.
For indoor venues, its all about density.
What about having an indoor playdate with just a couple of other unvaccinated kids whose parents are vaccinated?
Do my kids still need to wear a mask?
Dr. Moody:Im in favor of playdates for the same reasons as the other activities.
I think so long as there are no symptomatic children, then unmasked activities are not unreasonable.
As with everything,outdoor activitiesmight be a good way to reduce risk, but its about balance.
Ive read that planes have pretty good circulation that drastically reduces the risk of coronavirus transmission.
Dr. Omer:The evidence was there fairly early.
With the requirements airlines have, its good air circulation overall.
I think its perfectly reasonable if people are masking.
I would consider my plans accordingly.
And what else can we do to verify our stay is safe for our kids?
Dr. Smith:Transmission from inanimate objects seems to be rare.
If youre unsure about cleaning, you might always wipe surfaces when you arrive.
