A Look at DESE's Cited Sources: Footnote #8, #17, and #62 - Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Children — United States, February 12–April 2, 2020

DESE Claim 1 (footnote #8): "In general, rates of COVID-19 infection are lower for children than for adults. [...] Furthermore, although children under the age of 18 make up 22% of the U.S. population, they account for less than 2% of all cases of COVID-19."

DESE Claim 2 (footnote #17): "As the primary route of transmission for COVID-19 is respiratory"

DESE Claim 3 (footnote #62): "Although children under the age of 18 make up 22% of the U.S. population, they account for less than 2% of all cases of COVID-19.62"

Cited Source: 

Note: the same source is cited differently in the different footnotes. No explanation is provided for this inconsistency.

Footnote #8 and #62 citation: Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Children — United States, February 12–April 2, 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020;69:422–426. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6914e4

Footnote #17 citation: CDC., et al. "Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Children—United States, February 12–April 2, 2020." Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 69.14 (2020): 422.

Peer reviewed?: unclear (government report from CDC)

Study Methodology: analysis of public health data

Notes: There seem to be fewer COVID-19 infections in children in the USA and China. Some cases of COVID-19 in children can be serious. "Whereas most COVID-19 cases in children are not severe, serious COVID-19 illness resulting in hospitalization still occurs in this age group." The report advocates social distancing and precautions for all ages, since children likely play a role in some transmissions.

Supports DESE Claim 1?: Yes. Again, rates of infection and transmission in children say absolutely nothing about the safety for adults in schools.

Supports DESE Claim 2?: Yes.

Supports DESE Claim 3?: Yes