Children's Health Part 2: Back to School Special

Rhode Island is getting ready to return to 100% in-person learning this fall. How can families, schools, and pediatricians prepare?  In part two of this week’s discussion on children’s health, Dr. Jim McDonald and Dr. Philip Chan talk about preventative measures that can help keep students learning in person safely. Our co-hosts are joined again by guest experts Dr. David Bourassa from Thundermist Health Center and Dr. Peter Pogacar from East Greenwich Pediatrics.  Vaccination and masking indoors is especially important for everyone 12 years of age and older who are in school communities. For children younger than 12 who aren’t yet eligible for vaccination, other preventative tools like masks, physical distancing, and testing are critical.  The State is requiring that schools ensure all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to pre K-12 schools wear a mask indoors, including those who are fully vaccinated. Listen to part two of this week’s episode to learn more about how masking and other preventative measures support a healthy learning environment for Rhode Island’s students. For information about the return to 100% in-person learning in Rhode Island’s schools, districts’ mitigation plans, and Pre K-12 outbreak response protocols, visit back2schoolri.com.