Kids and COVID

Want to read the blog post instead?  Check it out hereIt has been a while since my last episode.  For that, I apologize as our recent house move has prevented recording and uploading of episodes.However, this week is essentially a continuation from last episode.  Remember when I said I was not sure if masking would be needed for when school started?  Remember when I recommended we wait to see what the numbers are doing?Well today's episode discusses the current situation with school and the delta variant.  I also discuss how YOU can help your child prepare for the coming school year. Have questions or comments about today’s episode?  Send me an email at imperfectdadmd@gmail.com Want to see what else I have discussed on the SARS-CoV-2 virus and kids?  Check out my website at https://www.imperfectdadmd.com You can also check me out on Instagram @imperfectdadmd Remember to SUBSCRIBE and LEAVE A REVIEW!

This question has been asked countless number of times the last few weeks.  We are seeing COVID cases still dropping, those vaccinated (and some not) are leaving their masks at home, and community activities are picking up.  When the new school year rolls around, what will the expectation be for wearing masks?This is a hard question to answer right now, in this moment.  That is because we don't know what the situation will be in 2-3 months.  Will cases keep going down?  Will they go up?  Listen in as I discuss the topics involving these decision as well as my thoughts on the opinions of others.  Have questions or comments about today’s episode?  Send me an email at imperfectdadmd@gmail.com Want to see what else I have discussed on the SARS-CoV-2 virus and kids?  Check out my website at https://www.imperfectdadmd.com You can also check me out on Instagram @imperfectdadmd Remember to SUBSCRIBE and LEAVE A REVIEW!

Read the blog post involving today’s topic.One of the hardest decisions during the early pandemic was the choice of closing schools near the end of the 2019-2020 school year.  Both schools and parents were NOT prepared for this.  However, when the Fall of 2020 came, the next decision was to determine if school should be in-person, virtual, or some kind of mix.  This was not an ideal circumstance for ANY of our students.  We are now seeing how this has affected our youths this school year and potentially for years to come.     Join me as I discuss:-       WHY we closed schools (3:22)-       How this will affect GRADUATION rates? (9:19)-       School NUTRTITION (13:59)-       MENTAL HEALTH (16:12)-       Parental Anxiety (22:53) Are there topics you want me to discuss?  Email me at imperfectdadmd@gmail.comCan’t find a topic in the podcast you want to know more about?  Check out the blog at https://www.impefectdadmd.comRemember to SUBSCRIBE and leave a REVIEWArticles Mentioned in This Episode:Duan, Li, et al. An Investigation of Mental Health Status of Children and Adolescents in China During the Outbreak of COVID-19. J Affect Disord. 2020 Oct 1; 275:112-118. Zhou, Shuang-Jiang; et al. Prevalence and Socio-demographic Correlates of Psychological Health Problems in Chinese Adolescents During the Outbreak of COVID-19. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 29, 749-758. 2020.

You have probably heard this comment said on social media, the news, or from your friends: Kids just don't get sick from COVID.  It is a cold.  They don't need a vaccine.  Why are we so focused on kids?Sadly, these statements are misguided.  When we compare or pediatric population to the adult realm, the long term health affects and death rates obviously shift depending on what generation you look at.  However, this does not mean kids don't get sick.  They actually do, and the numbers are growing. This episode takes a deeper dive into the data that was used to make the decision to approve the Pfizer mRNA vaccine for kids in the 12 to 15 year age range, which I spoke about in Episode 2.  Now this is not meant to be fear-mongering.  This is not meant to force you into one decision or another.  This is data.  Sadly, many of the comments we hear out there about kids and COVID are severely lacking in data.   Use this information to make appropriate decisions for yourself and your kids.  Have questions or comments about today’s episode?  Send me an email at imperfectdadmd@gmail.comWant to see what else I have discussed on the SARS-CoV-2 virus and kids?  Check out my website at https://www.imperfectdadmd.com You can also check me out on Instagram @imperfectdadmd Remember to SUBSCRIBE and LEAVE A REVIEW!

Recently the Pfizer mRNA vaccine targeting COVID was approved for emergency use in 12 to 15 year olds.  Should you get the vaccine for your kids?  What did the data show?  Why are kids getting vaccinated?  This show answer those questions.This episode was previously released on my other podcast, Imperfect Dad MD, as well as on my blog found here.  It is also the podcast episode that showed me that I needed to create this podcast.  If you didn't get a chance to listen to this episode on my previous show, check it out here.  I will be following this episode with another that focuses on the data we have so far on kids and how COVID affects their health.  Be sure to check it out on Episode 3.If you have questions or comments about the show, send them to imperfectdadmd@gmail.comIf you want to read my previous blog posts on the topic or check out my other podcast, check out my website at https://www.imperfectdadmd.com  Remember to SUBSCRIBE and LEAVE A REVIEW!

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed all of us in different ways; however, our kids will be the ones feeling it for decades to come.   When SARS-CoV-2 hit our shores early in 2020, the landscape for our normal lives changed.  We focused on loss of jobs, decreased social gatherings, morbidity and mortality in our adult population.  However, our kids were just as affected.  Our children's bodily health, mental health, obesity, social isolation - all of this and more have been directly and indirectly influenced by COVID.  We have seen the changes over this last year, but I fear we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg.  This is episode 1, where I discuss WHY I wanted to make this specific podcast.  I now regret I did not start it sooner.  I hoped I would not need to.  However, avoiding what is plainly happening around us is no longer an option. If you have questions or comments on this episode or others, send me an email at imperfectdadmd@gmail.comWant to read my previous blog posts on this topic or more?  Visit my website https://www.imperfectdadmd.comRemember to SUBSCRIBE and LEAVE A REVIEW.  Your thoughts on comments are extremely important to me, including the direction this podcast takes.