Dear Superintendents and Board of Education Members, we are writing to you as concerned pediatricians and parents. The physicians listed here are all grateful for the commitment you have shown by prioritizing in-person instruction for the children in your district this year. We hope you will strongly consider the community data as you make your final decisions regarding safety protocols for the start of the 2021 school year.
In our practices, we have used community data and medical science to continue to provide health care since the start of the pandemic. We continue to wear masks in our practices and require masking of our patients to ensure every child who enters our office can be seen safely. We fully support the American Academy of Pediatrics, Centers for Disease Control, U.S. Department of Education and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center recommendation to start the school year with universal masking to provide a SAFE return for every student and teacher due to this recent surge in our community and nation.
Allowing optional masking in school is irresponsible, reckless and not in the best interest of children. The following is a summary of important reasons why we write to you to help ensure students can start and remain in school in-person this year.
Universal masking was effective in preventing transmission in schools last year, even in areas with high community transmission. Multiple studies in the U.S. (including in Ohio) have shown this.
The Greater Cincinnati area has been at substantial to high community transmission of COVID-19 over the last several weeks due to the delta variant. CDC recommendations for universal masking in school takes this data into account when making recommendations. If the current surge abates and we are in low transmission again, universal masking could be reconsidered. You can follow local community incidence rates on your local health department, CDC or COVID-19 – Center for Clinical & Translational Science & Training websites.
The delta variant is not only more transmissible than the original virus, but evidence shows that it affects children more significantly than previous strains.
While vaccination prevents severe disease for teachers, children under 12 are not yet eligible and many of those 12-15 have not yet been vaccinated. According to recent data from the Health Collaborative, in our region, only about one-third of those 12-18 have even started their vaccine series. This level is not high enough to reduce in school transmission without layered protection, including masks.
Any child who is not vaccinated and exposed in school will need to quarantine at home UNLESS children are universally masked and distanced three feet. We have seen the negative effects that frequent quarantine can have on children, not only disrupting their learning but their mental and physical health. Masking all will allow more children to STAY in school.
Other viral illnesses with symptoms similar to COVID-19 have also been on the rise. Testing is the only way to differentiate. Masks can help to reduce the transmission of these viruses which will necessitate days out of school for testing and illness.
Again, we greatly appreciate the work you have done to prepare for safe and consistent in-person learning for students, and we offer you our support in the face of those criticizing what is clearly the right choice for kids. The children of our region need this and are depending on us. They deserve better than optional masking. Thank you for your consideration.
This op-ed was submitted by the Board of the Cincinnati Pediatric Society, which includes: Dr. Abigail Stein, president; Dr. Nicole Lacasse, treasurer; Dr. Lauren Huff, past president; Dr. Meredith Frost; Dr. Kathleen McGovern Driscoll; Dr. Camille Graham; Dr. Scott Callahan; Dr. Charles Deitschel; Dr. Chris Peltier; Dr. Nick DeBlasio; Dr. Robert Ingberg, emeritus professor of Clinical Pediatrics; and Dr. Phil Lichtenstein.
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