The week's best parenting advice: September 22, 2020

When kids bring home COVID, the sleep-saving power of red light, and more

A child wearing a facemask.
(Image credit: Illustrated | iStock)

1. A call for diligence

A study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sheds new light on how often kids contract COVID-19 at childcare facilities, and pass it on to family members. Looking at three facilities — two toddler daycares and one camp for teens — the researchers found 12 kids were infected, most likely by an adult worker. Three of the infected children showed no symptoms. Of the 46 family members the infected kids came into contact with, at least 12 were infected. One parent had to be hospitalized as a result. The results indicate that a low-ball estimate for rate of spread from child to family could be about 25 percent. Researchers stress this doesn't mean schools or childcare facilities should close, but that diligence about masking, sanitizing, and social distancing is needed. "This should be another wake up call to all of us that we need to be diligent and all do our part," says Dr. David Kimberlin, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

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Jessica Hullinger

Jessica Hullinger is a writer and former deputy editor of The Week Digital. Originally from the American Midwest, she completed a degree in journalism at Indiana University Bloomington before relocating to New York City, where she pursued a career in media. After joining The Week as an intern in 2010, she served as the title’s audience development manager, senior editor and deputy editor, as well as a regular guest on “The Week Unwrapped” podcast. Her writing has featured in other publications including Popular Science, Fast Company, Fortune, and Self magazine, and she loves covering science and climate-related issues.