David Leonhardt walks us through it.
 | By Alexandra Sifferlin Senior Staff Editor, Opinion |
More than half of American adults have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, and every adult is currently eligible. At this pace, many families are looking forward to a summer and fall that could look quite different from last year. |
But children remain unvaccinated. While at least one of the Covid-19 vaccines may soon be authorized for children between ages 12 and 15, it will likely be some time before all children have access to a vaccine. |
What does that mean for family plans, like going on a summer trip or seeing relatives and friends? |
David Leonhardt, who writes The Morning newsletter every weekday, says that the decisions will not be easy, and that once parents are vaccinated, families will make different choices based on their preferences. His argument, based on available data and interviews with multiple experts, is that there is more than one reasonable and science-backed approach to thinking about how children live their lives during this next phase of the pandemic. |
The risk of the most severe consequences of Covid-19 are substantially lower for children, as he writes, but not zero. For some families, based on their own circumstances, like underlying conditions or vulnerable family members, activities will remain limited until children can be vaccinated — and for good reason. |
On the other hand, some families may compare the risks of children getting Covid-19 with other risks, like getting the flu, and decide to do more activities. |
As Leonhardt underscores, experts say that until all adults have a chance to be vaccinated (which remains a few months away), families should practice caution because kids can spread the virus. |
After that point, precautions like masking will still need to remain in place, but some parents may feel more flexible. |
Instagram Live: Tune into @nytopinion and @nytparenting today (Thursday, April 22) at 11:30 a.m. Eastern as David Leonhardt talks to Joanna Pearlstein, a Times Opinion editor, about what you can do with unvaccinated kids. |
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