It is disturbing to me and many others to see the misuse of scientific reference to bolster policies that will endanger our children. Paula Garcia’s letter of August 11 suggests that recent CDC studies suggest masks do not reduce transmission. The CDC site says “CDC recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status.”
Garcia then claims WHO studies say masks do not reduce transmission. A visit to the WHO site will reveal WHO now clearly calls for use of masks, and recommends children 6 and over wear masks in areas of high transmission. Garcia says children pose little threat to others in transmitting the disease. Though transmission rates maybe be lower than among adults, transmission exists and children are susceptible; by recent research the CDC indicates “the estimated cumulative rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 symptomatic illness in children ages 5-17 years were comparable to infection and symptomatic illness rates in adults ages 18-49 and higher than rates in adults ages 50 and older.” 14% of the new COVID cases are children. While they typically do not suffer severe symptoms children are vulnerable and schools of unmasked children will become expanding reservoirs of COVID.
Optional masks, as one scientist noted, are like a smoking section in an airplane: this does not solve the community problem. Please let us be careful with our children’s health and rely on the best advice from knowledgeable medical people. The CDC site is useful: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019ncov/science/sciencebriefs/transmission_k_12_schools.html
— Jim Anderson, Chico
