COVID Came Calling

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By Andrea Delbanco

Editor in Chief, TIME for Kids

After I’ve spent 26 months worrying about it, COVID came calling. My 12-year-old, Rosie, tested positive last weekend after complaining of exhaustion and aches and pains. My family has taken countless COVID tests over the past two years. After all the negatives, it was surreal to see a positive appear.

Rosie is fully vaccinated, and mercifully, she only felt unwell for a day. Although isolating is no fun, she was easily appeased by the temporary appearance of a television in her bedroom. I acknowledge, as I often do, my gratitude for having so many advantages: good health to start with, space for us to spread out indoors and space for us to spend time together outdoors, access to medical care, and the peace of mind that brings.

Yesterday, the CDC announced that kids ages 5–11 are eligible for booster shots. The CDC estimates that since the start of the pandemic, three of every four U.S. children have been infected with the coronavirus. Meanwhile, the White House is issuing new warnings, and as the virus evolves, reinfections are on the rise. Additionally, our country reached a grim milestone this week: 1 million Americans have died from COVID-19. And parents of children under age 5, like many of you, are still waiting to know when a vaccine will be available.

How are you holding up? Write to me this weekend, at andrea@time.com. I’ll be sanitizing surfaces around my house and hanging out with my daughter on FaceTime.

Best,
Andrea

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