{"id":42548,"date":"2020-08-07T19:01:00","date_gmt":"2020-08-07T16:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/us-kids-parents-perform-diy-tests-for-coronavirus-science\/"},"modified":"2020-08-07T19:01:00","modified_gmt":"2020-08-07T16:01:00","slug":"us-kids-parents-perform-diy-tests-for-coronavirus-science","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/us-kids-parents-perform-diy-tests-for-coronavirus-science\/","title":{"rendered":"#US kids, parents perform DIY tests for coronavirus science"},"content":{"rendered":"

“#US kids, parents perform DIY tests for coronavirus science<\/a><\/strong>”<\/p>\n

\n In a comfy suburb just outside Nashville, a young family swabs their noses twice a month in a DIY study seeking answers to some of the most vexing questions about the coronavirus.<\/p>\n

How many U.S. children and teens are infected? How many kids who are infected show no symptoms? How likely are they to spread it to other kids and adults?<\/p>\n

\u201cThe bottom line is we just don\u2019t know yet the degree to which children can transmit the virus,\u201d said Dr. Tina Hartert of Vanderbilt University, who is leading the government-funded study.<\/p>\n

Evidence from the U.S., China and Europe shows children are less likely to become infected with the virus than adults and also less likely to become seriously ill when they do get sick. There is also data suggesting that young children don\u2019t spread the virus very often but that kids aged 10 and up may spread it just as easily as adults. The new study aims to find more solid proof.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we don\u2019t see significant transmission within households, that would be very reassuring,\u201d Hartert said.<\/p>\n

Some 2,000 families in 11 U.S. cities are enrolled in the DIY experiment, pulled from participants in previous government research. In all, that\u2019s 6,000 people. They have no in-person contact with researchers. Testing supplies are mailed to their homes.<\/p>\n

They collect their own nasal swabs for COVID-19 tests, and less often blood and stool samples. The specimens are mailed to the study organizers. Participants get text messages asking about symptoms and reminding them to test and they fill out questionnaires.<\/p>\n

The study could help determine the safety of in-class education during the pandemic. But results aren\u2019t expected before year\u2019s end.<\/p>\n

For Mendy and Joe McNulty and their two youngest sons in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, nasal swabbing at home is a family affair. Testing supplies are spread out on a carefully wiped down kitchen counter, where the four gather to perform what has become a ritual. Mendy McNulty helps the boys with their swabbing.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were excited to be able to feel like we could contribute somehow,\u201d she said, explaining why the family chose to participate. \u201cThis virus is so unknown. Any little bit we can do felt like we were doing something to help.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard to pin down the exact number of COVID-19 cases in kids. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says at least 175,000 cases have been confirmed in those aged 17 and under, accounting for less than 10% of all confirmed cases. But the true number is likely much higher because many kids have silent infections or only vague symptoms and don\u2019t get tested.<\/p>\n

Data on kids and coronavirus spread is also murky. Hundreds of infections have been reported in children and staff members at U.S. day care centers, but whether kids or adults were the main spreaders isn\u2019t known.<\/p>\n