HJNO Nov/Dec 2021

have family contact with the safety of our other patients, families and staff. Did the Delta variant manifest differently in children? There has been speculation that Delta produces more severe disease than that observed in children infected with earlier forms of the virus, but this is an open ques- tion. Children’s Hospital New Orleans cur- rently is participating in a study with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and five other children’s hospitals nationally to evaluate this question. Did you see many cases of MIS-C (multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children)? We are currently following 73 children who have experienced MIS-C after COVID- 19 infection. What are your concerns about ongoing health issues in the children who recovered? We know very little about the potential long-term or late effects of COVID-19 on children. We do know that long COVID does occur in children, but what will the impacts be on the developing brain and other vital organs, for example? Long-term follow-up studies will be necessary. What is your opinion on schools reopening for in-classroom teaching? I do believe that in-person learning is preferable to remote learning, but appro- priate measures must be in place to mitigate risk. I am grateful that Governor Edwards mandated masks in the schools for staff and children 5 years of age or older. All eligible children 12 years of age or older should be vaccinated against COVID-19. By the time this article appears, I hope that we will have emergency use approval for the Pfizer vac- cine for children 5-11 years of age, as well. Do you think the worst is over? And, what do you see on the horizon for this virus? Honestly, only time will tell. I am encour- aged that so far, at least, another variant has not emerged to supplant Delta. However, particularly in parts of the country where vaccination rates are low, we remain at risk for the emergence of new and even more sinister virus variants. One thing is certain — COVID-19 will be with us for the foresee- able future. n “We do know that long COVID does occur in children, but what will the impacts be on the developing brain and other vital organs, for example? Long- term follow-up studies will be necessary.” HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS I  NOV / DEC 2021 27