Musings | Risk & the Delta Variant
“Knowing your risk helps you to take the measures to decrease your risk every single day.”
Today our post is focused on facts about the Delta variant of Covid-19. This variant is a concern for many, but perhaps most for those who cannot be vaccinated (i.e., kids under 12 and those ineligible for vaccination). Check out the tips and facts below to help you navigate back to school with kids under 12, as well as general information for everyone. The information is drawn mainly from a Wall Street Journal article and the additional sources noted below.
Key Facts
In the US, children account for a tiny percentage of overall hospitalizations (1.6% to 3.5% of cases).
Being isolated is not good for anyone’s mental health, but engaging in a fully re-opened society can also be stressful. This next phase of the pandemic will require us to create a personal blend of not being locked down but making choices that allow us to engage in re-opening activities so we feel safe and keep our loved ones safe.
Complete vaccination provides a high level of protection against Covid-19 and the Delta variant. Fully vaccinated individuals can be contagious; however, they are contagious for a shorter duration than those not vaccinated. Breakthrough illnesses can occur, but they are rare and even less likely to cause severe outcomes.
Keeping Unvaccinated Kids and Adults Safe
Keeping unvaccinated people safe involves assessing the risks and benefits of activities and events (such as in-person school, play dates, indoor sport, outdoor sport, birthday parties, and sleepovers). Experts recommend engaging in activities that are of the highest value to your family with the least risk. Try to cut out activities that are high risk but are of lower value to your family.
Stick to the basics: wear masks in indoor settings (kids and grown-ups, even if the adults are fully vaccinated) and wash your hands.
Low-Risk Activities: Occur outdoors or indoors where people are masked, fully vaccinated, and physically distanced, and there is good ventilation (i.e., windows that can be opened and good airflow).
High-Risk Activities: Occur indoors, where individuals are without masks, not physically distanced (i.e., crowded spaces), and where public health recommendations and orders may not be enforced (i.e., private residences)
In-person learning is a high priority for many families, and public health officials agree attendings school is a worthwhile risk for children. At school, children can be masked and physically distanced.
Currently, there are almost no activities that come without risk. To aid in navigating school, social engagements, and extracurricular activities, consider identifying which activities are most important to your family and if those are low or high-risk engagements. It is important to note that risk accumulates with each activity; engaging in one high-risk activity does not mean that several are ok as the overall risk builds with each risky activity. For example, your family may be ok with kids attending school and doing indoor recreational activities where physical distancing is practiced, and kids are masked, but you may not be ok with sleepovers and large indoor gatherings. Or your family may feel comfortable with all activities - these decisions are highly personal and specific to each family.
As it has been throughout the pandemic, there are many choices available to individuals and families. These divisions are highly personal and somewhat unique to each person. Remember to be kind to yourself and others as we navigate through this next stage which appears to be a combination of re-opening and resurgence.