A Look at DESE's Cited Source: Footnote #72 - The Role of Children in the Dynamics of Intra Family Coronavirus 2019 Spread in Densely Populated Area

DESE Claim: "A study in Israel found that children 5-17 were 61% less likely to have positive COVID-19 tests compared with adults in the same household."

Cited Source: Somekh, E., Gleyzer, A., Heller, E., Lopian, M., Kashani-Ligumski, L., Czeiger, S., ... & Stein, M. (2020). The Role of Children in the Dynamics of Intra Family Coronavirus 2019 Spread in Densely Populated Area. The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. Available at https://journals.lww.com/pidj/Abstract/9000/The_Role_of_Children_in_the_Dynamics_of_Intra.96128.aspx

Peer Reviewed?: unclear (DESE linked source is not published article)

Study Methodology: "Clusters of infections within families living in Bnei Brak were identified and investigated."

Notes: There were 13 family clusters investigated. "Children 5–17 years of age were about 61% and children 0–4 years were 47% less likely to have positive PCR results compared with adults older than 18 years of age residing in the same household." Notably, Bnei Brak has a very high population of young people. "Our results do not necessarily indicate that reopening school is safe regarding the potential of re-emergence of Covid-19 spread since various rates of transmission are expected to occur also in school (as occurred in a family set up) and therefore reopening school should be practiced with caution and with close monitoring of Covid-19 spread." (emphasis is my addition). 

Supports DESE Claim?: Yes (but the fact that DESE doesn't account for the author's statement that results don't mean school is safe is alarming)