The latest installment of the #PWChat series was Part 3 of our discussion centering around the reopening of schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Below are the highlights from the chat. You can read the full transcript here, by scrolling down to the corresponding questions and responses. The recap of Part 1 can be found here, and the recap of Part 2 can be found here.
Welcome to PART 3 of the #PWChat on opening #school during #COVID19, with co-hosts @MVP_Pediatric & @DrLindaMD. Our plan is to go until 3pm EST, officially, but let’s keep the convo going well after! pic.twitter.com/e10RhFodNd
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) September 29, 2020
A1 – It is difficult to say exactly. The sharpest increase is amongst colleges. This may be due to an influx of students from around the country who may have be contagious as they arrived or personal behaviors off campus. #PWChat
— David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP (@MVP_Pediatric) September 29, 2020
A1 – Much of the success and failure is likely due to personal protective measures and prevention of spread…masks, social distancing, washing hands, not touching face, staying home if sick, smaller class sizes, etc. #PWChat
— David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP (@MVP_Pediatric) September 29, 2020
I agree! #PWChat
— David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP (@MVP_Pediatric) September 29, 2020
A1 – We know that wearing masks, social distancing, and other measures have reduced the spread of #COVID19. This has also translated into fewer infections, in general, for kids. #PWChat
— David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP (@MVP_Pediatric) September 29, 2020
Contact tracing will be the key…for sure!
— David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP (@MVP_Pediatric) September 29, 2020
That is good. We are still fully remote for the older grades. So, we are waiting to see how it affects our numbers in the LA area… #PWChat
— David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP (@MVP_Pediatric) September 29, 2020
Yes. It is like each area of the country has their own personal epidemic of the pandemic to deal with…what works for one place will not work for others.
— David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP (@MVP_Pediatric) September 29, 2020
Q2: Under what #COVID19 -related circumstances do you feel a #school should shut down?#PWChat pic.twitter.com/zJ6gqMnlVd
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) September 29, 2020
Of the schools around us in Oregon that opened, all have closed back down after just a week or two. Contagion rates went up, and spread within the schools and the communities. Stay closed and wait it out. We can do this if we protect our children and each other. Won’t be forever.
— 👠CAM BIDENHARRIS 35 Days Wear a Mask (@camcath) September 29, 2020
Yes, should have in the first place, but evidently in this country, people would rather learn by mistakes (and deaths) than take expert advice and put up with a little inconvenience. It seems like a lot, but that’s because we’re used to the easy way. Death/illness are the risks.
— 👠CAM BIDENHARRIS 35 Days Wear a Mask (@camcath) September 29, 2020
Everyone thinks it won’t happen to them or theirs. Hell of a way to learn the hard way, and meanwhile, this attitude and these people endanger the rest of us, and keep us from making headway. Watch what the holidays bring. I shudder to imagine.
— 👠CAM BIDENHARRIS 35 Days Wear a Mask (@camcath) September 29, 2020
A2 – The best idea is to have a rotation to ensure that all students are not at school at the same time, to avoid everyone having to stay home…if there is limited exposure. #PWChat
— David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP (@MVP_Pediatric) September 29, 2020
Our public health system is designed to address this things, so I agree that they should determine what the numbers are…
— David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP (@MVP_Pediatric) September 29, 2020
We have to be able to pivot…see what works and what doesn’t work. If the risk is too high…close it down. #SafetyFirst #PWChat
— David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP (@MVP_Pediatric) September 29, 2020
I agree Dr. Girgis.
— 👠CAM BIDENHARRIS 35 Days Wear a Mask (@camcath) September 29, 2020
A2 – The best idea is to have a rotation to ensure that all students are not at school at the same time, to avoid everyone having to stay home…if there is limited exposure. #PWChat
— David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP (@MVP_Pediatric) September 29, 2020
Q3: In some states/districts where schools are 100% virtual, younger children are attending daycare and camp. Should there be a “workaround” for camps and daycares?#PWChat pic.twitter.com/OvkYQcx3QI
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) September 29, 2020
A3 – Nevertheless, spread will likely occur. There have been reports of daycare spread, however. So, it is important to keep an eye on these facilities w/ good contact tracing. https://t.co/ZG3UuIsBoi #PWChat
— David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP (@MVP_Pediatric) September 29, 2020
A3. Yes, younger children need socialization. It is critical at certain ages. #PWchat https://t.co/98LHQ54JkN
— Linda Girgis MD (@DrLindaMD) September 29, 2020
Q4: How will/are elementary schools compare(ing) with middle & high schools? Will/Is compliance with PPE, distancing, etc. different between younger kids & teens? Will the spread of #COVID19 be different by school type?#PWChat pic.twitter.com/9dBpuQdm0I
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) September 29, 2020
I am surprised at how well the younger kids (2-5 years of age) are wearing masks. They care less about it than the teens and adults… 🙂
— David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP (@MVP_Pediatric) September 29, 2020
A4 – I believe that schools that are adhering to safety protocols, spending more time outside, & breaking the school into pods/shifts will fare better than those that try to go back to “normal” pre-COVID19 school procedures. #PWChat
— David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP (@MVP_Pediatric) September 29, 2020
I think we’ve seen this with college kids already. #PWchat
— Linda Girgis MD (@DrLindaMD) September 29, 2020
Q5: Will testing children help hinder the spread of #COVID19 in schools, or will parents avoid getting their kids tested or performing any screening at home so the kids can keep going to school, ala the stories of parents giving kids Tylenol or Motrin to mask a fever?#PWChat pic.twitter.com/Eui1PEqZ2q
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) September 29, 2020
A5. It will help hinder the spread of #COVID19. The early we identify it, the quicker we can isolate the infected and do contact tracing. #PWchat https://t.co/EyrbEdfYJY
— Linda Girgis MD (@DrLindaMD) September 29, 2020
A5. I think parents understand the seriousness of this disease and I hope that won’t be an issue. #PWchat https://t.co/EyrbEdfYJY
— Linda Girgis MD (@DrLindaMD) September 29, 2020
A5 – However, as pediatricians & teachers know, parents have a tendency to give their kids Motrin/Tylenol for a fever in the morning & just send their kids to school when they are sick. As well as playing down symptoms & exposures. #PWChat
— David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP (@MVP_Pediatric) September 29, 2020
I think that it will be rare, but it will happen. Sometimes the need to get kids to school trumps reason and consideration. Kids are sent to school with “colds” all the time. In this case, a parent may knowingly not test their child, so they won’t know if it is COVID. #PWChat
— David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP (@MVP_Pediatric) September 29, 2020
Q6. Are those parents who are testing their kids doing so at the correct time based on potential exposure timing? Should asymptomatic children & school staff be tested for #COVID19?#PWChat pic.twitter.com/alEz0AsdtZ
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) September 29, 2020
A6. I think they should be tested only if symptoms present or a significant exposure. #PWchat https://t.co/ZdcrA2eTQq
— Linda Girgis MD (@DrLindaMD) September 29, 2020
A6 – If routine testing is going to be done for children & school staff, it should be done at frequent & regular intervals. The NBA has had relatively good success w/ their model. But, most schools don’t have the resources. #PWChat
— David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP (@MVP_Pediatric) September 29, 2020
#PWChat pic.twitter.com/MxNX1eNCMv
— David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP (@MVP_Pediatric) September 29, 2020
A7. I follow the CDC guidelines. #PWchat https://t.co/Ri1sETGrUT
— Linda Girgis MD (@DrLindaMD) September 29, 2020
Agree with this. We’ve seen false negatives. #PWchat
— Linda Girgis MD (@DrLindaMD) September 29, 2020
A7 – However, we can provide guidance to the school. We have actually put together a note template b/c of the frequency that we are being asked for school notes. #PWChat
— David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP (@MVP_Pediatric) September 29, 2020
A7 – We can give our advice & the results of our investigation & the school can ultimately decide, based on their policies. #PWChat
— David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP (@MVP_Pediatric) September 29, 2020
Q8. What did @BostonChildrens researchers find when they sought an answer to whether #SocialDistancing and other infection control behaviors, like hand-washing, reduced common infections in children beyond #COVID-19 & how should this be applied to in-person schooling?#PWChat pic.twitter.com/sFY8qE6jAE
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) September 29, 2020
A8 – Article link: https://t.co/GiZNNvcxCR #PWChat pic.twitter.com/PYprayByIx
— David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP (@MVP_Pediatric) September 29, 2020
Q9: Some suggest that students testing positive for #COVID19 caught the virus at home, not at school, and that testing asymptomatic children is a waste of resources/time/money. What light does the data on a small outbreak in Utah child care centers shed on this argument?#PWChat pic.twitter.com/wqEE2iRPLB
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) September 29, 2020
A9 – #PWChat pic.twitter.com/yWoBLDpDfA
— David Epstein, MD, MS, FAAP (@MVP_Pediatric) September 29, 2020
We’re "officially" out of time, but PLEASE, let’s keep this very important discussion going!
In the meantime, we give special thanks to @MVP_Pediatric & @DrLindaMD for co-hosting and thank you all for joining and providing great insights and thoughts!#PWChat pic.twitter.com/lEVgU6xaYP
— Physician's Weekly (@physicianswkly) September 29, 2020
