My name is Sarah Lopez Korc, I am an ER physician at a level 1 trauma center, currently battling breast cancer and a parent to two children who currently attend the Newport Mesa School District.
As a parent of three small children who have been home schooled for almost 4 months, I understand the frustration that families are feeling who want to resume their normal life. I get it, because I want the same thing too. I recognize that as parents we have different ideas of what are appropriate amounts of social distancing and how to protect our kids. But our school districts need to find a balance between all of these opinions, that ensures the safety of our community, along with helping our individual families stay healthy. As an ER physician, I was taking care of many patients who became infected with COVID-19. Our understanding of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 is constantly evolving, given the novelty of this virus and disease. Although there are few reported cases of pediatric patients younger than 20 years old requiring hospitalization, and even death, we do know that some develop “ground glass opacities” and don't fully understand the impacts of contracting this virus. We also know that kids have been identified as “vectors” or carriers for this disease that can be passed along to more vulnerable family members. As a newly diagnosed cancer patient on chemo, I suddenly find myself part of this ‘vulnerable population’ at only 40 years old. I can tell you that I have taken care of 30 and 40-year-old parents, who by their history had no medical problems or serious illness, only to need admission to the hospital and require ICU care. I remember one particular parent who was 43-years-old, a father who was close to my age, gasping for air while I was getting ready to intubate. He had no medical problems and did not understand why he had become so ill from the virus. I can tell you that this virus is mercurial, and we still don’t understand why it causes severe symptoms in some patients and not others. What has been clear by studies and data from other countries, is that masks worn by everyone, proper hand hygiene and social distancing can slow down the transmission rate and prevent infections. These simple interventions in the grand scheme of things can really save lives. If done properly it can allow us to return to a ‘normal’ that allows us to be with others. I know that there were mixed messages from the CDC about masks in the beginning, but I also know that at the same time my hospital was struggling to find facemasks and at one point had 3 days’ worth of supplies to take care of the growing number of patients. So, I would like to know that the Board's COVID-19 response will take into consideration the kids, teachers and parents that make up our OC community. I know that my child, who will be in kindergarten, will struggle with a face mask in class. But can we use face shields that also block saliva droplets, recognizing that we can have a different approach for elementary, junior high and high school children. Will there be orientations on proper face mask use for staff? How will class rooms be set up for social distancing and to minimize transmission? How are teachers and staff going to be protected from the many children they will encounter? What are the hygiene policies? What will happen if someone tests positive for COVID? I am like many parents who want our children to return to school, but it must be with our communities’ best interest in mind, recognizing the different needs of our OC families. In particular, families and districts who are being disproportionately affected by this virus because of the inability to self-isolate at home, or socially distance in their living situation. We must also recognize that in 2 months, or even in 2 weeks, this could all change and be willing to be flexible and nimble in response to new information. Sincerely, Sarah Lopez Korc Sarah Lopez, MD, MBA Patient Safety Officer Harbor-UCLA Medical Center Assistant Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine
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