As the Delta variant of COVID-19 continues to surge across the nation, health officials are increasingly concerned about the safety of school-age children, particularly those under 12 who are not yet eligible for vaccination. Dr. Samuel Greene, the Director of the National Institutes of Health, recently expressed grave concerns about the situation during an appearance on a national news program.
With COVID-19 cases rising sharply—averaging around 120,000 daily—Dr. Greene predicts that the U.S. could soon see an alarming 200,000 cases per day. He described the current upward trend as “heartbreaking,” especially given that many believed we would not return to such high numbers after the rollout of vaccines earlier this year. “The reality is that we have a highly contagious variant in Delta, and with approximately 90 million unvaccinated individuals, many of whom are children, we are facing a critical juncture,” he stated.
Dr. Greene also refuted the misconception that children are not significantly affected by the virus. He highlighted a recent report showing over 121,000 COVID-19 cases among children in just one week, prior to the start of the school year. “Currently, there are nearly 2,000 children hospitalized, with some in intensive care units,” he noted. “To suggest that kids are safe from this virus is misleading; they are indeed at serious risk.”
In light of these developments, Dr. Greene emphasized the importance of mask-wearing in schools, particularly as students return to classrooms. “Schools that have opened without mask mandates are experiencing outbreaks,” he said. “This leads to students being sent home for virtual learning, which we had all hoped to avoid. It is unfortunate that political and social divisions have complicated this straightforward public health measure.”
To safeguard the most vulnerable populations, including children, Dr. Greene urged everyone to get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible and to continue wearing masks. Protecting the health of our communities is crucial, and collective action is essential to combat this ongoing public health crisis. For more information, check out this other blog post that discusses related topics, or visit this authority on the subject for further insights. Additionally, Hopkins Medicine offers excellent resources for anyone interested in pregnancy and home insemination.
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In summary, the NIH Director has raised alarms about the significant risks facing unvaccinated children as the Delta variant spreads. With rising case numbers and hospitalizations, particularly among children, it is imperative for communities to prioritize vaccination and mask-wearing as effective measures to protect vulnerable populations.