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With new data on the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at the University of Maryland is offering advice on how best to protect yourself and your family.
With new data on the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at the University of Maryland is offering advice on how best to protect yourself and your family.
On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that even those vaccinated once again wear masks indoors in areas of the country experiencing high or substantial transmission of COVID-19.
Andrea Berry, associate professor of pediatrics and medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, believes Americans should take even more precautions.
“People who are vaccinated where transmission is not significant or high, I think, should strongly consider resuming mask wear, especially if they are in contact with people with weakened immune systems or others. unvaccinated people. That’s what I chose to do, ”she said.
When asked if people should wear better quality masks this time around, like the N95 masks, Berry said no.
“So far, there is no recommendation to go higher than the fabric mask or the surgical mask,” she said.
It’s not yet clear whether COVID-19 will eventually become a seasonal virus, but Berry has noted an interesting change in the spread of a different virus.
Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, typically peaks between October and March. This year it looks like the peak is now. Berry said the delay was due to all the physical distancing we had in place in late 2020 and early 2021.
As schools prepare to reopen for the new school year, Berry hopes they take a multi-faceted approach to preventing the spread of the coronavirus.
“I think what schools need to do is have as many different layers of mitigation as possible,” she said.
Testing symptomatic children for the coronavirus is crucial, she said, and testing those without symptoms would be “a cut above.”
The Pfizer vaccine has received emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration for use in people as young as 12 years old, and no vaccine has yet been approved for children under 12 years old. But the University of Maryland is currently conducting pediatric studies on the Novavax and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.
“We’re looking for the dose that gives a great immune response with the fewest things… like fever, aches and pain and things like that,” Berry said.
Pfizer is also working on a COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11 and hopes to apply for emergency clearance in September or October. Berry said the pediatric trial of the Moderna vaccine will take a little longer.
More news on the coronavirus
Looking for more information? DC, Maryland, and Virginia each publish more data each day. Visit their official websites here: Virginia | Maryland | CC
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