Sister Montessori preschools,
proving Northern Virginia’s
preschool children with quality
education for the past 50 years.

What about long-awaited visits with
grandparents, many of whom have not
been able to hug their grandchildren in
over a year? Rellosa said that vaccines
greatly reduce seniors’ risk of infection, and
provided that fully vaccinated grandparents
seldom attend indoor social events, visits
with grandchildren are unlikely to infect
children with COVID-19. Rellosa said that
when he takes his own children to visit their
grandparents they hang out indoors and
give hugs — albeit while wearing masks.

As for parents who have been dreaming of
returning to the gym or a date night inside
a restaurant, they can do so...on a limited
basis, according to Ando.

“I think having an occasional date night
out is fine, but I wouldn’t have it become a
regular practice,” she said.

And for parents who are wondering
whether a summer getaway will be possible
this year, Coffin said travel is reasonably
safe as long as children take the usual
precautions, like consistent mask-wearing
and hand-washing. For air travel, Coffin
recommended finding direct flights to
reduce exposure to the virus. Rellosa agreed
? that travel should not be a major source
of outbreaks, provided travelers maintain
masking and social distancing.

But even though these safety
precautions can reduce risk during travel,
Ando said she’s not planning to fly or take
a train with her children any time soon;
not only would the kids be required to
quarantine before returning to daycare,
but any travel makes you more likely to
come into contact with residents of states
that prematurely loosened restrictions and
are experiencing unchecked community
spreads. For her family, she said, it’s not
worth the risk.

Ultimately, the doctors agreed that
parents must weigh factors like their
children’s health conditions, childcare
arrangements, community’s level of
transmission and the behavior of close
contacts to determine the level of risk
they can tolerate before their children are
vaccinated. Which is to say that, ultimately, you have
to decide what you’re comfortable with. But
unlike last summer, at least you have some
options this time around. T
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helpline: 800-370-SEAT
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28 Washington FAMILY JUNE 2021