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overkil6 t1_it7wplg wrote

I’ll preface this by stating that I’m a believer in covid (hate that this needs to be said). But any chance that this is a result of mask mandates? Kids don’t get exposed at the normal age and it somehow hits them worse? Sort of like chicken pox/shingles for adults?

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AintThatJustADaisy t1_it7zitq wrote

They haven’t gotten early exposure but I think it’s mostly from places shutting down and people going out less. Daycares were closed, and people were keeping their kids home safe.

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Odd-Employment2517 t1_it7yd5p wrote

Wearing a mask would prevent the spread of this, colds were signifigantly down when mandates were in effect. I guess you could be arguing we should have mask mandates every cold season since wearing masks so effectively cut down on colds and the flu during 2020 and 21?

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overkil6 t1_it87dob wrote

I'm saying that kids were wearing masks for 2+ years. Schools and daycares were closed and now all bets are off. Kids haven't been exposed to viruses as much as before.

I guess I'm asking if kids immune systems aren't tested like they used to be is there collateral damage?

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unfinished_diy t1_it888m5 wrote

It’s a bit of everything. RSV is a big daycare/ preschool disease (it’s very contagious). So generally every year a certain number of kids build up immunity. The last 2 and half years prevented a lot of spread many ways- kids with any sign of cough were immediately sent home from school or daycare and were told to stay there until it was completely gone. Parks were closed for a while, kiddie gyms were closed, birthday parties cancelled, less travel, less visiting relatives, not to mention parents who were particularly concerned not bringing their kids to stores and restaurants. Older siblings were podded, masked and distanced at school (my daughter had no snack, outdoor lunches, windows open year round, water breaks in the coat room, etc). All that suppresses spread, not simply masks.

Now that it’s all gone, the disease has lots more room to spread. My younger daughter is in preschool. 15 kids in the class, about a third have older siblings. Typically they probably would have already been exposed/ have caught RSV. This year, the whole class is probably vulnerable (obviously I haven’t actually tested all these kids, just an example).

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JennJayBee t1_it8qz2k wrote

The reverse happens to be true with RSV. RSV is usually more serious in infants and elderly. You don't want your baby to get RSV. It's typically much milder in older children and adults.

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