Bert Dirschell
Centertown
Dear Editor:
Let me start by saying that COVID-19 is a serious problem in the U.S., especially if you are someone with at least one existing serious health condition, and doubly so if you are someone older than 65 who has an existing serious health condition. Those of us with an existing health condition, and especially those of us older than 65 who have an existing health condition, need to carefully weigh the level of interaction we choose to have with others. (We need a government to keep us informed of the risks, not one that considers us ignorant children who need keepers.)
Many changes in our primary and secondary education systems are being considered. It is worth noting that our state legislators must have recognized the minimal danger COVID-19 poses to youth, which is why they not only allowed day care and pre-school facilities to remain open, they allowed a temporary one-third increase in capacity above the licensed amount.
The following information is based on CDC data from the week ending Feb. 8 (the week of the first COVID-19 related deaths in the U.S.) through the week ending May 16. Data is current through May 20. Five of the 5,544 deaths of children younger than 4 were COVID-19 related. Seven of the 1,335 deaths of children 5-14 were COVID-19 related. Twelve of the 6,879 deaths of children younger than 14 have been attributed to COVID-19.
Even with available flu vaccines during the 2017-18 flu season the CDC reported 188 pediatric deaths (age 17 and younger) caused by the flu. Are we going to lock down schools every flu season? During 2017, 1,147 children younger than 14 died as occupants during auto accidents. Are we going to make it illegal to transport a child in an auto?