The contrasting statements about Covid-19’s risk to children came as the President of the United States continued to push for the full reopening of schools.
President Donald Trump said Thursday that “young people are almost immune” to Covid-19, a statement made on the same day that the head of the World Health Organization emphasized that children can become infected with the coronavirus.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, speaking at a press conference in Geneva on Thursday, said: “Although older people are at increased risk of serious disease, younger people are, too.”
“We have said it before and we will say it again,” said Tedros, “young people are not invincible.”
“Young people can become infected; young people can die; and young people can transmit the virus to others, “he added.
Tedros’ comments contrasted with Trump’s claim the same day to minimize the Covid-19 threat to children when the president reiterated his call for schools to reopen the fall with students physically present.
The press asked the president on Thursday: “How can you assure people that schools will be safely reopened?”
“Can you assure someone of something?” Trump replied.
“Young people are almost immune to this disease,” added Trump. “They are stronger. They are stronger. They have a stronger immune system. It is an incredible thing. No one has seen this before. Various types of flu will hurt young people more than older people. “
Only “a small percentage” of children contract the virus, Trump said, “so we have to open our schools.” We have to protect our teachers. We have to protect our elders. But we have to have our schools open. “
The “small percentage” that Trump referred to in his remarks may be a reference to CDC data from February 12 to April 2 showing that 1.7% of US coronavirus cases.
While children are likely to have milder symptoms than adults, infected children can develop multisystemic inflammatory syndrome in children. Furthermore, the long-term effects of the disease on young and old are still unclear.
Reporting for him New York Times Friday worries about risks to children and employees if schools physically reopen.
Citing epidemiological research from the University of Texas at Austin, the Times reported:
Based on current infection rates, more than 80 percent of Americans live in a county where at least one infected person would be expected to report to a school of 500 students and staff in the first week, if the school started today.
In high-risk areas, including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Nashville, and Las Vegas, at least five students or staff would be expected to become infected with the virus at a school of 500 people.
Facing potentially unsafe conditions for students, teachers and staff, the threat of “security strikes” looms.
“Let’s be clear. As we have done with our healthcare workers, we will fight on all fronts for the safety of our students and their educators,” Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, told the union at his conference this week.
“But if the authorities do not protect the safety and health of those we represent and those we serve, as our executive council voted last week, nothing is off the table,” he said, “neither defense nor protests, negotiations, complaints or lawsuits. ” or, if necessary and authorized by a local union, as a last resort, security strikes. “
