This weekend, my 4 y/o daughter tested positive for COVID-19. She’s had a fever and sore throat, and she isn’t her usual bubbly self. But thankfully she is eating, drinking, and breathing fine. We’re keeping a close eye on her. Worrying about her has prompted a few reflections:
Trying to isolate a small child from her 5 y/o brother and parents in a small home is pretty tough. Which is why I’m grateful that my son, my wife, and I are all vaccinated. Even if we contract the virus, it’s unlikely to cause severe illness because we have protection.
While our child will likely be ok given she’s young and otherwise healthy, I know parents with higher risk kids may worry more. Few things are worse than worrying about your child’s health. The more we all get vaccinated and take precautions, the more we can protect all our kids.
I wish a vaccine was available for my child and for all kids <5. It would protect kids and help parents. Unfortunately more data is still needed from clinical trials for the FDA to make a full assessment. I know a safe, effective vaccine for <5s remains a top priority for them.
Staring at my daughter’s positive test, I asked myself the same questions many parents have asked: Will my child be ok? Could I have done more to protect her? Was this my fault? In these moments, it doesn’t matter if you’re a doctor or Surgeon General. We are parents first.
Parenting during the pandemic has been one of the hardest jobs I could have imagined. I have immense respect for the millions of parents who are grappling with the daily, exhausting decision-making that goes into protecting our kids’ health and their education.
The experience of the last few days has reminded me that despite our varied opinions about the pandemic, we all largely want the same thing: to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe. I hope to remember this the next time I encounter someone with a different point of view.
Until then, hold your kids and your loved ones close. That’s what we will do with our daughter until she’s better and for as long as possible thereafter. /end
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