Nashville infectious disease expert: COVID-19 ranks among top 10 causes of death for kids

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — COVID-19 was one of the top 10 causes of death for children in the last year, an infectious disease expert said.

Dr. William Schaffner, a doctor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, said there’s other conditions that can spawn from a COVID-19 infection, like myocarditis—an inflammation of the heart tissue.

Schaffner said it’s still unclear why younger people tend to be impacted by COVID-related myocarditis more often than other age groups.

The uptick in COVID-19 cases has some parents worried, as kids younger than 12 years old can’t get the vaccine yet, and many schools are starting up in-person soon.

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A Wilson County parent emailed FOX 17 News asking why students need to attend in-person school if they are too young to get the vaccine.

“Last year, Wilson County Schools had a virtual option for K-12, which was a wonderful idea and worked well,” parent Serena Lloyd said. “They have since eliminated that option for K-5.”

She also added she’s extra worried since masks and vaccines are optional in the district.

FOX 17 Reporter Rachel Tiede asked the school district about this.

“When it came to an all virtual setting last year for those children, it was very difficult,” school district Public Information Officer Bart Barker said. “It was very difficult to teach and learn.”

He said it came down providing a quality education.

“When it comes to our 6 -12 students, there’s some more independence with them,” Barker said. “They’re able to do some things in the virtual world that for K-5 can be quite difficult.”

Pediatric infectious disease expert Dr. Leigh Howard said going back to school in-person can be done safely if everyone plays their part.

“I think getting kids back in school to learn, to be around their friends, to be around their teachers is so important,” Howard said.

But she added doing that safely requires folks mask up and social distance when possible.

“One of the most important things, I think, that we can do as a group is to try to make sure that as many people around those children who can be vaccinated are vaccinated,” Howard said.

Barker said for now masks and vaccines are optional.

“We are going to do all that we can to make sure that our students are teachers and staff are in a safe environment,” Barker said.

The district says it will take temperature checks at the school doors daily and will keep kids 3 feet apart when possible.

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