Protect children and get vaccinated against Covid

Editor:

The U.S. is currently the only country in the world with soaring Covid numbers. We have 17% of the world’s daily new Covid infections despite the fact that we have the best vaccine supply in the world.

The new, highly contagious Delta variant is causing children to be sicker in record numbers. Of all children diagnosed with Covid at The Children’s Hospital in New Orleans, 25 percent are sick enough to be admitted to the intensive care unit. The Children’s is hospitalizing record numbers of very sick children due to Covid, half under 2 years of age. Unvaccinated adults are responsible.

The American Academy of Pediatrics is urging the FDA to move quickly to authorize the Covid vaccine for kids.

Second best, universal masking reduces the risk of transmission to less than 1 percent. It is the best protection for unvaccinated children.

State bans on mask mandates are being challenged by schools, courts, even private companies. Florida, among other states, has a ban on mask mandates, but is leading in pediatric cases.

It is illegal for private companies like cruise ships in Florida to even ask people about their vaccine status, even though the protocol at other ports is to ask. Politics is putting children at risk.

Be part of the solution. Protect children. Get vaccinated.

Carol Nochajski

Wilson