Back to school 2021: COVID-19 considerations and answering your questions

One year ago, a group of experts from Children’s Wisconsin gathered to discuss recommendations and tips for back to school during the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, we didn’t know if kids would be going to school in person, virtually or a hybrid of both. We also didn’t yet have a vaccine. While a lot has changed in the last year, some things haven’t. Back to school can still be a stressful time with many unknowns. To help answer your questions and hopefully eliminate some of that stress, Smriti Khare, MD, president of Primary Care at Children’s Wisconsin, and Kristin Bencik-Boudreau, DO, a pediatrician at our Bayshore Pediatrics primary care office, held a live online conversation. 

01:40 - Introductions and personal experiences
06:25 - Is the COVID-19 pandemic over?
07:08 - What about the delta variant?
10:25 - Should students be going back to school in person?
12:00 - Should kids be wearing masks at school?
17:35 - If a school district isn't requiring masking, what protections can a parent provide to their kids?
19:45 - What about studies that indicate masks are bad for kids?
22:09 - Should we be testing students for COVID-19?
24:21 - What are recommendations when someone has to quarantine?
27:31 - Who is currently eligible to be vaccinated for COVID-19? And when will younger kids be?
29:13 - What about if a child needs multiple vaccines?
30:24 - Should parents be concerned about long-term issues with the COVID-19 vaccine?
34:41 - If we have the vaccine, why do we need maks and vice versa?
35:55 - What is MIS-C, an illness linked to the coronavirus?
37:38 - Is MIS-C the same thing as myocarditis?
39:32 - How do teachers and school faculty factor into the decision to go back to school?
43:24 - What about kids with complex medical conditions?
45:45 - What about the mental health aspect of all of this?
48:41 - What tips do you have for helping kids prepare for going back to school?
50:55 - Do you feel comfortable sending kids back to school this year?
53:00 - What should parents watch for that would warrant an urgent care or emergency room visit if their child has COVID-19?
54:00 - Has Children's Wisconsin seen kids with adverse reactions to the vaccine?
55:26 - Of the three vaccines available for emergency use currently, how are they different?
57:03 - Suggestions for facemasks
58:48 - Why are breakthrough cases happening?
01:00:11 - Final thoughts

Ashley Cobert Writer Children's Wisconsin

Our high standard of care has always required an uncompromising approach to safety. And during this COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to ensure every visit, appointment, procedure and surgery offered across all our Children's Wisconsin locations is safe. Learn more on our COVID-19 web page.