Okay,
Welcome back to Cheddars news wrap for the first time in a week.
Students in Chicago have returned to classrooms today after the teachers union
and city officials reached a tentative agreement about COVID-19 safety measures.
The bitter fight actually reflects a bigger issue
as classrooms across the nation are getting empty
in new york city, the nation's largest school district. Overall attendance has
fallen below 70% after classes resumed after the winter holiday,
far beneath the pre pandemic average of over 90%.
Joining me.
Now to discuss is dr bio curry windshield,
family medicine and dr and urgent care doctor
and regional Clinical director at Carbon Health Doctor.
Welcome back.
We know many school districts report new cases of covid 19 involving students and
teachers and then have to balance the
advantages of in person learning with of course
health concerns
in your opinion, our schools safe to attend for students and teachers.
I know this is a question many people are battling with currently.
Well, thank you for having me.
You know, the variant has really disrupted our lives, especially within omicron.
And it's important that we do have our Children back in school as a doctor and a mom.
It's important to have those types of learnings that
are just very important that happened in the classroom.
And so yes, classrooms are safe to return,
but we have to also look at those
classrooms that are in underserved communities and making sure
that they have all of the necessary precautions such
as ventilation such as school a school nurse.
All of those facets are so important to make
sure our Children can be safe in the classroom.
We've been reporting extensively on the us hitting a new record
when it comes to the number of Children hospitalized with COVID-19.
I'm sure you something,
this is something you see on the ground every single day with patients.
What do you see at your own clinic concerning
child patients where and I'm just curious here,
where do they typically contract the virus from most?
So we are seeing a blend, you know, especially in the urgent care.
I am seeing Children who come in that have very
mild to moderate symptoms to those that are very ill.
And so, you know, really being mindful if your child is not eating as much,
if they have a fever,
any sort of symptoms that really isn't
at their baseline is important to investigate.
And I am seeing them contract the illness from so
many different aspects that could be from a fellow classmate.
It could be from a parent.
All of those things really play in the effect of, you know,
transmission as well as contracting the illness.
And we can't forget about vaccination status. I am seeing a lot of Children.
Unfortunately, the parent isn't vaccinated.
And so we have to think about the entire household and how that affects our Children.
I do want to talk about vaccination rates for Children, they're very low.
Only 17% of Children between ages five and 11 are fully protected.
There's a debate that's coming up and I'd love to hear
your insight can parents and students complain about an unsafe environment,
when they choose.
like we talked about a moment ago not to get vaccinated.
So you know,
it's important to think about how in the past vaccinations have protected
our Children and they continue to protect us as an adult.
And so I think it's important that we invest in health literacy,
incredible information because vaccines can help and it can hopefully
prevent your child from being hospitalized and possibly death.
So it's important to really look at accurate
information and also take note of how helpful
they have helped our Children in the past to keep them safe and prevent you know,
infection down the road.
We hear that covid symptoms are more mild with Children.
Can you talk to us about the severity here, doctor?
So it's really an ebb and flow when you talk about infection and the severity.
Some Children yes, have had mild to moderate symptoms.
However,
some are actually having very grave symptoms such
as difficulty breathing and other factors as well.
The other thing that's important to remember is
covid 19 can cause long lasting complications.
And so I'm seeing some of my patients where they're not
able to return to their basketball game or their favorite,
extra extra extra curricular activity.
And so those things we have to think about
as caregivers and parents not only the acute infection,
but also what happens after.
And so it's important when you think about that the illness
can affect you not only acutely but as time goes on,
the tentative agreement with the Chicago teachers union of course the story,
as you know, making national headlines includes an
enhanced COVID-19 testing in schools. How important is this?
Testing is crucial. It helps keep schools open.
It also helps decrease,
you know classrooms getting quarantined and so all of
those important aspects help Children have in person learning.
So having the ability to test a child on site so they
can remain in school as well as decreased transmission is very key.
The biden administration has announced it will distribute millions
of free covid tests every single month to schools.
How helpful do you think this will be doctor?
It will be very helpful.
We need access to test and whether you're an adult or a child,
you need to be able to find out your health.
And so having the ability for Children to get tested on site will really make
a difference in keeping our schools open as well as keeping teachers safe as well.
Dr bio curry, windshield, family medicine and urgent care.
Doctor and Regional Clinical Director at Carbon Health.
We always appreciate your time and insight. Doctor. Thank you so much