Summer camp conundrum

Re: Summer camps in a time of pandemic, May 28

As a family physician and camp doctor, it pains me to see that thousands of children and teens will not be able to partake in the magic and wonder of summer camp this summer. I believe provincial governments have relied on the evidence to date in making the cautious and appropriate decision to not allow sleepover camps to function this summer. While I am intrigued by the potential experiment and efforts of Camp Timberlane to enable summer camp to happen, I was dismayed to see the quote from Dr. Samantha Nutt indicating that all available science and evidence “shows that kids are poor vectors of this particular virus.” In fact, this is the crucial question. There have been mixed results in studies on how easily the virus may be transmitted from children to others. It is simply too early to make any conclusive statements on whether or not children are less able to spread the virus relative to adults. Until this is fully understood and there is still the potential for children to transmit the virus to others, I feel at this time it is crucial that we not allow hundreds of children and adult staff to partake in camp this summer.

Once we have a clearer understanding of this disease and better strategies to mitigate risk, I am hopeful children and staff will hear the camp cheers again, living the joys of the camp experience and learning and thriving together throughout camps across the country. Gordon Arbess, St. Michael’s Hospital Staff Physician, Department of Family & Community Medicine University of Toronto