Kids can handle COVID-19 better than adults - new study finds
Yesterday, the breaking news in the County I live in was that the Miami School Board, after meeting for 29 hours, voted for a soft school opening on October 14, and full opening on October 21.
To many that is a welcome relief, as homeschooling put quite a big burden on parents, who had to juggle work and teaching their children at home, but I can imagine just as many are concerned over sending their children back to school.
Historically we already have solid data showing that kids have a much better immune response to COVID-19 compared to adults. A new study, published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, found that children have a pretty robust immune system and COVID-19 affects them less severe; they do not require to be placed on mechanical ventilation and there is a much lower mortality rate.
Needles to say, even one child dying from a COVID-19 infection is tragic and one too many, but keep in mind that Coronavirus is linked to acute respiratory distress syndrome or ARDS, and most vulnerable are past smokers, current active smokers, and the children of smokers. Also, greater affected by the virus are children with pre-existing conditions and obese children.
I never understood parents that would push a stroller and smoke in the vicinity of their child, or even worse, smoking in their cars, while their kids are in the backseats.
If I would have been the Governor or Mayor of any state or city, besides protecting our elderly in adult care facilities better, I would have immediately halted the sale of all cigarettes, vapors and declared smoking prohibited and closed any and all fast food joints and the sale of all sugary sodas.
I know the argument against such action is that it would have possibly flooded ERs with people suffering from acute withdrawal syndromes, but therefore we had plenty of these tent hospitals erected that were never really utilized.
Do not get me wrong, COVID-19 is highly contagious and anyone of us can contract and spread the virus. If you are sick or vulnerable, stay home and avoid contact with other people, wash your hands often and wear a mask in public.
However, the reason why children fight off a COVID-19 infection better than adults is because they usually possess and release more effective cytokines. What are cytokines? The cells in our bodies, communicate with each other by sending chemical messengers into the blood stream. These messengers are called cytokines or helper T cells. They are small secreted proteins released by cells that fight off foreign pathogens.
Omega-3 fatty acids cause more of the anti-inflammatory cytokines to be made. Flax seeds are one of the best vegetarian sources of omega-3s. Other rich sources are cold-water fish, hemp seeds, walnuts, chia seeds and grass-fed beef. Berries and other high-enzyme fruits are good for you and your children. Turmeric, garlic, onions, leafy greens, raw and briefly cooked vegetables will strengthen the immune system. Drink plenty of water, exercise and make sure you and your youngster get plenty of sleep.
I am not a doctor, but I am able to apply good common sense. If you are concerned about sending your child back to school in October, if you have not already done so months ago, now is the crucial time to change your and your family’s diet drastically. Eat wholesome, fresh food and skip the junk. If you can, there are also some exceptionally good organic supplements for children that boost the immune system.
Last, but not least, provide a loving, caring, nurturing home environment for your children. Love is potent, and research has shown that it provides a powerful lift to the immune system as well.
Never skip to read a bedtime story or two or three, as this will help your child to feel comfortable, relaxed, loved and ultimately strengthened for school.
Follow my hashtag #ReadToKids on social media.
Coronavirus