update

[wickedcherub]

So. Our covid vaccinations are going great! The TGA has invited Pfizer to apply for approval for the vax for 5-12 year olds so that's great news.

Our case numbers however, are really terrible and I am EXTREMELY anxious about the fact that the kids are expected back at school in a week and a half. Less than a week for Preps to Grade 2s! They had a 17 year old speak at a press conference yesterday, saying she was unvaxxed (cos she was ineligible) and she almost DIED and it was basically a horror story

and now they want us to send our unvaxxed kids to school and the DISSONANCE, TRULY.

I'm listening to an hour-long video of a panel from the Royal Children's Hospital about covid and sending our kids back to school. Hopefully it will alleviate my anxieties somewhat.

Summary
- the RCH has seen 5-6 kids per week during these outbreaks
- These kids have been in for only a day or two max, they come in for fluids and perhaps O2
- very very few have been in the ICU and they have made a full recovery

- they do expect more infections so it's important that all adults are vaccinated
- Ventilation, Vaccination and Vital Covid Safe Steps (eg masks, outdoor learning, hepa filters)
- They don't see a recommendation for vaccination for kids happening before early next year (!!!!!!) so to not wait

- They recommend get your kids getting used to wearing masks
- We should be excited and enthusiastic and not share anxiety, as anxiety is an infectious disease
- However, anxiety might be inevitable, and feelings are valid! So it's gotta be addressed
- Watch for a change in behaviour and talk to them about it. Everything is scary until we know about it. They might be holding onto worries.
- Give your kid control, over their lunchboxes etc Maybe give them things to talk about with their peers
- A brave action follows an anxious feeling. Avoidance does not breed resilience.

- children *are* going to catch covid more. They aren't necessarily going to get ill.
- covid stigma - is going to be an issue - everyone has to have discussions that if someone gets covid, it's not your fault, you didn't do something wrong etc.
- don't lump your kids with too many extracurriculars when they go back

Okay I do feel a bit better now.

In other random news, we watched Captain America: Civil War last night which is less of a movie and more of an episode of a tv show in a long series. I continue my really long journey into getting better at sudoku.
I ordered stuff at Officeworks at click and collect and got it within 30 min.