Kids and Covid

Re: “Think of the children”, (PostBag, Nov 21) and “Covid risks to kids”, (PostBag, Nov 18).

The precautionary principle states that in a situation of uncertainty, it is wise to be over-cautious rather than not and come to regret it later. Parents have a duty of care to their children; this includes protecting them from novel viruses like Covid, which science increasingly shows is anything but mild in terms of the long-term damage it causes. Yet Eric Barht is dangerously advocating that we act like Covid is harmless.

What does the science show? That even in “mild” infections, children are left with vascular damage, increased risk of diabetes, and risk of severe complications like MIS-C, neurological complications, and brain infections. It shows that children can suffer from long Covid at the same rate as adults (currently around 5% of infections), with each reinfection increasing the risk of severe outcomes. It shows that Covid is deadlier than flu and that reinfection doesn’t build immunity but rather damages your immunity. It shows that Covid increases your risk of heart attack and stroke for at least a year after infection. All of this is confirmed in peer-reviewed scientific literature.

On vaccination, while teenage boys, in particular, are more susceptible to myocarditis, in the vast majority, this resolves itself, and the balance of evidence means the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks. Covid infection itself is more likely to have worse outcomes on the heart.

I urge fellow parents to ignore Covid minimising anti-vaxxers like Eric. Instead, continue to be cautious and protect your children (and yourselves) from infection and reinfection with masking, ventilation, air purifiers and vaccination.

DIANE ARCHER