Pediatricians are favorable to the return of children to school from May 11, respecting age-appropriate barrier measures, because the Covid-19 " saves them for the most part ", according to press releases from their authorities.
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" We support the return of children to communities while respecting barrier measures whose application must be adapted to different age groups ", write in a joint press release the French Association of Outpatient Pediatrics (AFPA) and the Pathology Group infectious pediatric (GPIP).
According to these professional associations, " the wearing of a mask in nurseries, nursery and primary schools for children without serious underlying pathology is neither necessary, nor desirable, nor reasonable ". " On the other hand, the wearing of masks for adolescents as well as for adults in charge of children can be envisaged, " they judge.
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" The available pediatric data are reassuring: since the beginning of the epidemic in Europe, few children have been affected and the severe forms have been exceptional ", continue these authorities, according to which " this virus and this disease largely spare children ”.
" The risk division factors compared to adults are around 1 / 10,000 for deaths, 1/1000 for severe forms, 1/100 for hospitalizations ", they continue.
In addition, " unlike the situations observed with many respiratory viruses, children are less often carriers of Sars-Cov-2 than adults ". " The available data on the contagiousness of children between themselves and towards adults are reassuring, in particular with regard to young children ", conclude these bodies.
The return to school of children with chronic diseases must also be " encouraged ", say in a separate press release the French Pediatric Society (SFP) and other companies specializing in pediatrics.
" Delaying this return appears to be of no benefit for the management of their illness " and " the pursuit of home schooling can only concern a few specific cases, on the advice of the referring doctor ", according to them.
However, these children " must benefit from reinforced protections when they return to school ", by applying " with particular vigilance " the " barrier measures and hygiene measures recommended for all children ".
