If you are vaccinated, you are well-protected – especially if you’re outside.
But, what about the kids under 12 who are not eligible for get shots yet?
"Throughout the pandemic, we haven’t been super concerned about children. But, now that they represent that unvaccinated group, I think we have to be a little bit more cautious," UCSF pediatric orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Nirav Pandya, told KCBS Radio's "As Prescribed" on Thursday.
"So, that may mean potentially shifting in the fall to kids wearing masks even when they’re outdoors, making sure they’re masked at school, making certain that when you’re with other groups, people are vaccinated or keeping those precautions," Pandya added.
It will also mean being more vigilant about keeping kids home from practice, if they are not feeling well.
He said beyond the COVID-19 concerns, parents should also be aware that children may not be in the best physical shape after all that time behind a computer.
"A lot of kids are very anxious to play," Pandya said. "This summer they’ve started playing again, and suddenly they’re going to go back into school and be very active. So, I think it’s important for parents to understand the kids’ performance might not be as great. They might have some more aches and pains when they’re out there. Really, see sports more as an environment in which they can have fun and reconnect socially, rather than going out there and trying to be a champion the first season you’re back."
You can help ease your kids back into physical activity.
"Get your kids out," he advised. "Go for walks. Have them throw the ball around a little bit. Do those things together as a family so when they go to school, it’s not really the first time they’ve been very active in a long period of time."
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