PA AAP Position on Masking in Schools
After last week’s ruling from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court voiding the statewide mask requirement for schools and child care settings, pediatricians are concerned that decreased use of masks in schools will be detrimental to the health of Pennsylvanians. The PA AAP and its 2,300 pediatrician members believe that masking remains a critical tool in the multi-layer mitigation strategy, which is key to halting the transmission of COVID-19 in schools and keeping classrooms open. The Pennsylvania Chapter and the AAP (PA AAP) urges all levels of government, in the interest of public health, to take any steps they can to require masking in schools.
President's Message, December 2021
Trude Haecker, MD, FAAP
New Year’s Resolution: The End of COVID (fingers crossed)!
With the surge of COVID-19’s Omicron variant, our end-of-year celebrations have and will look different for the second year in a row. Last December 2020, I reflected on a year that no one could have foreseen with seemingly endless challenges. Nevertheless, given all that has happened in 2021, we can celebrate the gift of COVID vaccines made possible by cutting-edge research initiated in our state. Thankfully, we now have a vaccine available for children 5 years and up although there are still no recommendations for boosters for 12–16-year-olds and no effective vaccine for 2-5-year-olds. This week the CDC changed the isolation policy with new guidance reducing the period from 10 to 5 days for asymptomatic individuals regardless of vaccination status. They also shifted the quarantine period to 5 days after exposure and recommended wearing a mask for 5 days after isolation and quarantine. The CDC said they changed this due to emerging scientific evidence: “The majority of SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the course of illness, generally in the 1-2 days prior to onset of symptoms and the 2-3 days after.” On average, viral clearance is about 5.5 days among vaccinated compared to 7.5 days for unvaccinated people. The CDC decided not to end isolation contingent on a negative antigen test. On January 19, 2022, we will host Dr. Paul Offit, MD, FAAP for an update on COVID-19 and vaccination efforts in children. Registration details can be found here.
With the surge of COVID-19’s Omicron variant, our end-of-year celebrations have and will look different for the second year in a row. Last December 2020, I reflected on a year that no one could have foreseen with seemingly endless challenges. Nevertheless, given all that has happened in 2021, we can celebrate the gift of COVID vaccines made possible by cutting-edge research initiated in our state. Thankfully, we now have a vaccine available for children 5 years and up although there are still no recommendations for boosters for 12–16-year-olds and no effective vaccine for 2-5-year-olds. This week the CDC changed the isolation policy with new guidance reducing the period from 10 to 5 days for asymptomatic individuals regardless of vaccination status. They also shifted the quarantine period to 5 days after exposure and recommended wearing a mask for 5 days after isolation and quarantine. The CDC said they changed this due to emerging scientific evidence: “The majority of SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the course of illness, generally in the 1-2 days prior to onset of symptoms and the 2-3 days after.” On average, viral clearance is about 5.5 days among vaccinated compared to 7.5 days for unvaccinated people. The CDC decided not to end isolation contingent on a negative antigen test. On January 19, 2022, we will host Dr. Paul Offit, MD, FAAP for an update on COVID-19 and vaccination efforts in children. Registration details can be found here.
Membership Opportunities
Advocacy
Advance the interests of Pennsylvania infants, children, and adolescents and the value of pediatric practice through ADVOCACY at the State Capitol and in Washington, D.C.
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Education
Ensure the highest quality of patient care through EDUCATION of pediatricians, residents, and medical students.
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Leadership & Networking
Promote optimal physician well-being and career stamina through PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT and NETWORKING opportunities.
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Become a member and help us to improve the health and well being of children in Pennsylvania
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Membership opportunities are available to pediatricians and allied health professionals. The Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics provides an array of benefits and services to keep you up-to-date and informed. The Chapter actively advocates on behalf of your patients, their families, and you. Together, we serve as one voice in fulfilling the needs of children and pediatricians in the state.
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