No one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to COVID and kids: OPINION

How parents are dealing with COVID-19 and kids as society transitions into a "new normal."

The latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 guidance that fully vaccinated individuals can go without masks and no longer have to maintain social distance is based on the latest scientific evidence, and shows the power of vaccination. Those vaccinated are nearly resilient to severe illness, hospitalization and death. Plus, they have a very low likelihood of spreading the virus. For those still unvaccinated, the guidance is also clear – maintain COVID-19-safe behavior which includes anyone over 2 years old wearing a mask. Across the U.S., parents -- including me -- are contemplating how to move about this pandemic with our unvaccinated children yet again. This time though, it’s not the feeling of despair we first felt putting on masks and what that action represented – a pandemic. Rather, it’s more of a combination of excitement, relief and ambivalence. We’ve been conditioned over the past 16 months to protect and reduce risk.