November was an exciting month for Dr Hina Talib, a new Lower School parent and pediatrician, who met Dr Biden and singer Ciara at the White House to discuss vaccines in children. (The event was filmed but has not yet been released at the time of publication.)
Earlier in November, Hina held an informative conversation and Q&A session for LS parents on COVID-19 vaccines for 5-11 year-old children. She was joined by Tyler Trottman, the school nurse, and Head of School Bo Lauder. Hina reviewed the thorough clinical trials that led to the decision to authorize the vaccine for children. She noted that the Pfizer vaccine dose is 1/3rd of that given to older adolescents and adults, and that it causes fewer side effects. As an additional resource, she recommended this Sesame Street Town Hall with a guest appearance from the Surgeon General.
A fully vaccinated school will allow for more robust programming, but there will still be a need to protect those who are under the age of five—including the use of masks. Hina is positive about the thoughtful and resourceful approach Friends has taken to the pandemic and the School’s ongoing focus on emerging data. Hina commented, “We need to maintain a flexible mindset when it comes to masks. There is a sliding scale of risk and we may need to return to masks at various points. That’s the flexible part.” To learn more about the role of masks in protecting children read her op-ed, Mask debate overshadows more important matters concerning children’s well-being.
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