Data Show U.S. Should Prioritize the Re-opening of Childcare Facilities & Elementary Schools, According to 'JAMA Pediatrics' Article Authored by Children's Hospital Colorado Expert

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Jan 25, 2021, 08:00 ET

AURORA, Colo., Jan. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study from Germany offers yet more data to show that childcare facilities and elementary schools should remain open or re-open to full-time, in-person learning as quickly as possible, according to an accompanying editorial by Children's Hospital Colorado Infectious Disease Specialist Sean T. O'Leary, MD, MPH. The study findings and editorial were published in the Jan. 22 edition of JAMA Pediatrics, a highly respected publication from the American Medical Association focused on child and adolescent health.

In the article, Dr. O'Leary notes that COVID-19 is "a milder disease in children compared with adults, particularly older adults." Additionally, researchers in Germany found that children aged 1 to 10 years were less likely to both acquire and spread COVID-19 than would be expected, which indicates that children play less of a role than adults in spreading the virus. O'Leary also noted that research has shown that hospitalization and death rates for children from COVID-19 are far lower than adults.

Despite these research findings, schools across the state and country have largely been closed to in-person learning since the pandemic reached critical mass in the U.S. in March 2020. As a result, "we have already seen short-term consequences of these closures, and the potential longer-term consequences of a missed year (or more) of learning are dire," cautioned Dr. O'Leary, who is also a professor of Pediatrics – Infectious Diseases at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

Heidi Baskfield, vice president of Population Health and Advocacy at Children's Colorado, said that research and public health evidence in 2020 has shown an increase in depression, isolation, hunger, child abuse and suicidal ideation among children and teens due in part to COVID-19, and a decrease in academic progress, physical activity and socialization. She added that balancing the education, mental health and physical safety of children is critical during the pandemic.

"We know that closing schools has a profoundly negative effect on students, impacting everything from brain development to mental health and wellness to food security," Baskfield said. "Evaluating the scientific research against the impact of closures is important to ensure that the most rational decisions are being made, which will help mitigate long-term harm to our children."

Children's Colorado recognizes the very real and legitimate concerns that administrators and educators have related to the COVID-19 pandemic and their safety. As a result, the hospital system and its medical experts have advocated to make school personnel eligible for priority COVID-19 vaccinations as part of a formal process to re-open schools.

Children's Colorado also has worked closely with pediatric community providers and school districts across Colorado to help school administrators and board members determine how they can most safely re-open their schools for in-person learning in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"While we're still learning more about this new more contagious variant (B.1.1.7), current evidence suggests that the mitigation measures in place in schools, especially among elementary students, should also work against this variant (wearing face masks, physical distancing, hand hygiene, cohorting, etc.)," O'Leary said. "As with everything with this pandemic, though, we must constantly re-evaluate the scientific evidence as it emerges, and we will be watching the spread of this variant and any potential impact on schools closely."

For more information, tune in to hear Dr. O'Leary discuss the importance of returning to school on a Jan. 21 Children's Hospital Colorado Charting Pediatrics podcast hosted by David Brumbaugh, MD, chief medical officer. "Why It's Time to Return to School with Sean O'Leary, MD (S4:E17)"

About Children's Hospital Colorado
Children's Hospital Colorado is one of the nation's leading and most expansive pediatric healthcare systems with a mission to improve the health of children through patient care, education, research and advocacy. Founded in 1908 and recognized as a top 10 children's hospital by U.S. News & World Report, Children's Colorado has established itself as a pioneer in the discovery of innovative and groundbreaking treatments that are shaping the future of pediatric healthcare worldwide. Children's Colorado offers a full spectrum of family-centered care at its urgent, emergency and specialty care locations throughout Colorado, including its location on the Anschutz Medical Campus, and across the region. In 2019, Children's Hospital Colorado, Colorado Springs opened as the first pediatric-only hospital in southern Colorado. For more information, visit www.childrenscolorado.org, or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

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SOURCE Children's Hospital Colorado