https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 24 Apr 2026 19:09:28 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2926009 Thu, 06 Jan 2022 23:45:59 +0000 karenbme 2926009@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chuckles: So sorry your LO is going through this! FWIW I saw some data recently that compared the proportion of kids 4 and under in ERs and inpatient hospital beds with Covid to the number of overall cases in young kids that found so far this wave is much less likely to result in an ER visit or hospitalization than delta. I can’t find the link right now, but their finding was that &lt;1% of cases in toddlers with Covid ended up admitted to the hospital compared to something in the 4-5% range for Delta.</p> <p>@erinbaderin: Yes to all the vaccinations! DH and I were first in line when our number came up for shots and boosters, and DD will be as well. For me that was the biggest blow, feeling like it is inevitable now that she’ll get it before she has any protection (although I do have a few bags of milk from right after my second shot in the freezer as a way to do something if/when it happens). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925977 Wed, 05 Jan 2022 20:30:36 +0000 MrsSCB 2925977@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>FWIW, a lot of hospital counts don’t distinguish between hospitalized WITH Covid or FOR Covid. Omicron is so contagious, and they test every single person who is hospitalized. So some cases are incidental to hospitalization—aka they are hospitalized for an unrelated reason and also turn out to have Covid. The flu shot (which we always get) is also a poor match this year, unfortunately, so that won’t help matters. Anyway, there are many very strong reasons to get vaxxed, or your children vaxxed, aside from potential hospitalization.</p> <p>My child who is old enough is fully vaxxed, I’m vaxxed and boosted, and I strongly encourage vaccination! I just think it’s worth being super clear to avoid even more stress, because I’m sure we’re all anxious enough. Both of my kids had Covid in November and were asymptomatic. Like @Chuckles I was SO worried when they tested positive. But we honestly never would have known if my husband hadn’t gotten sick first (he was patient zero for us). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925975 Wed, 05 Jan 2022 17:19:08 +0000 Chuckles 2925975@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: Yes! Our children's hospital in Chicago has a very high rate of covid patients - almost all unvaccinated, either because of age or parent choice. It's really scary. Of course DD, who is 2, tested positive on 12/31. She had diarrhea twice on the 2nd and was a little congested, but she already seems on the mend. But I was honestly pretty anxious after that first day that she woke up with a cough since there's no way to predict what's going to happen. Will it stay mild or will she end up in the hospital? I'll also add that there is evidence that some kids with mild infections are still experiencing long term symptoms. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925965 Wed, 05 Jan 2022 15:19:28 +0000 erinbaderin 2925965@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't want to hijack this thread or start anything again but if there are people on the fence about vaccines thinking it's mild, especially in children, or just a bad cold I just read that there are currently 38 children under 5 hospitalized in Ontario alone. Please please please once your kids are able to get vaccinated, get them vaccinated, and for those of you anxiously waiting to be eligible my heart is with you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925954 Tue, 04 Jan 2022 10:31:40 +0000 MoonMoon 2925954@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@karenbme: yes good luck to us and especially our little ones!</p> <p>@JJ2626: that is amazing to hear. I've had Pfizer but I'd be happy for baby to get Moderna. Thank you for the link!</p> <p>Edit: yesterday, his first day of daycare, they told us a child in his class had tested positive the previous week so half the class (4 kids) are quarantining. I'm just glad the families test and do the right thing and the daycare center informed us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925949 Mon, 03 Jan 2022 20:48:06 +0000 JJ2626 2925949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So both of my daughter’s preschool teachers have been exposed to covid. One is her partner and kid so pretty sure she will get it. Luckily, DD hasn’t started back yet but now she won’t go for at least a week probably 2. Things are so insane and I live in an 80% vaxxed county. All this to say, this sh*t is nuts and it’s okay to feel sad and overwhelmed. Good news is I really believe this surge will peak in 2ish weeks. Hang in there, all!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925948 Mon, 03 Jan 2022 16:11:45 +0000 JJ2626 2925948@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bhbee: @nwm: Yes, that’s exactly it. Moderna used a lower dose for 0-5 than for over 5 so fewer side effects are happening. But they are using a higher dose than Pfizer 0-5, so it’s more effective. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925947 Mon, 03 Jan 2022 15:19:47 +0000 nwm 2925947@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bhbee: oh, very interesting! i sure would be too!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925945 Mon, 03 Jan 2022 14:50:46 +0000 bhbee 2925945@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nwm: an epidemiologist I follow basically said that within the tradeoff of safety and efficacy, Moderna went for higher dosage/efficacy which has more potential safety issues and Pfizer went for higher safety at the expense of a bit of efficacy. This is why Moderna had issues with safety signals that held them back for older kids (too high of a dose), and also probably why Pfizer’s 2-5 trial failed the first time (wasn’t strong enough). So maybe Moderna made a better dosage choice for this age group that worked better? I think some of that is luck and I would be so happy if they got it right! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925943 Mon, 03 Jan 2022 13:45:13 +0000 nwm 2925943@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JJ2626: this would be great news! but i thought moderna's 12-17 vaccine had been held up and never approved. does anyone have a good understanding as to why or whether the same factors are likely to delay the moderna approvals for younger ages? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925942 Mon, 03 Jan 2022 05:32:41 +0000 greencraftycello 2925942@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JJ2626: That is great news! My youngest was born in March 2020 at the start of the pandemic, this would be a great birthday present. We have been pretty isolated since she is too young to get vaccinated and also to young to wear a mask. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925941 Mon, 03 Jan 2022 00:49:09 +0000 karenbme 2925941@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MoonMoon: I feel the same about my 2 year old going back tomorrow. My daycare is requesting parents rapid test the kids, but it’s honor system and tests are as hard to find here as they are everywhere else. Fingers crossed for both of us.</p> <p>@JJ2626: Omg this would be great news if it pans out! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925940 Sun, 02 Jan 2022 22:29:12 +0000 JJ2626 2925940@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Moderna might be approved in Feb for under 5s! <a href="https://www.wsaw.com/2021/12/30/moderna-vaccine-trial-young-children-nears-finish-line/" rel="nofollow">https://www.wsaw.com/2021/12/30/moderna-vaccine-trial-young-children-nears-finish-line/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925939 Sun, 02 Jan 2022 22:17:34 +0000 MoonMoon 2925939@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My older child (8) is fully vaccinated. His school was supposed to restart after holiday break tomorrow but the city just announced that schools are closed tomorrow because so many staff have COVID and they could not find enough substitutes. They're distributing at-home tests for all kids instead.</p> <p>My 14 month-old is not vaccinated. Tomorrow is his first day of daycare and I can't help but think I'm sending him into a lion's den. </p> <p>I know most people don't agree with this, but I'm still not ready to accept the risk of my children being infected with this virus, especially without any vaccine protection, and with all the unknowns about its long-term effects. I've done everything I could to protect my family for almost two years while others have gone on as normal. I've been in the ICU and witnessed the pandemic first-hand, and had to begin therapy to cope while others traveled and went to gatherings and ate out etc. And my "reward" is being forced into this no win situation. </p> <p>I'm really stressed out and I hope I'm not doing wrong by my baby.</p> <p>I'm glad this thread exists so I can commiserate with parents who feel similarly. Thank you @karenbme: hopefully a vaccine for this age group within the next few months!</p> <p>Edit: omicron might be mild but that might be because the populations studied have some immunity from vaccines or prior infections. This doesn't pertain to the youngest children and babies, who are being hospitalized at rates not before seen in this pandemic. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925937 Sun, 02 Jan 2022 20:04:16 +0000 cake2017 2925937@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: Sure! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925936 Sun, 02 Jan 2022 18:59:54 +0000 erinbaderin 2925936@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cake2017: I genuinely don’t want to argue, but “it’s very mild for children and Omicron is mild overall” is a statement of fact, not an opinion. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925935 Sun, 02 Jan 2022 17:55:07 +0000 cake2017 2925935@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: I hear you and I am aware of the statistics and real scenarios in the medical field. As I am in the field myself especially during this time. My statement isn’t the norm and i am not against vaccinations I was just sharing my opinion and I don’t need people to agree with me or not…. again sharing my opinion which we should all be able to do! Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925934 Sun, 02 Jan 2022 16:48:23 +0000 erinbaderin 2925934@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cake2017: While it’s true that you can still catch the virus if you’re vaccinated, there’s a lot of evidence that the more vaccinated you are the less likely you’ll be to end up in the hospital. And while it is generally mild for children, there are, according to UNIVEF, more than 12,000 parents of children who have died from covid who would strongly disagree with you. Here in Canada a healthy two month old died a few weeks ago. It might be here to stay but at the moment the system is overwhelmed, doctors and nurses are incredibly stressed and burnt out, and the sheer numbers of people getting sick are about to cause medical professionals to make some tough decisions about who gets to survive. That’s way more than “unfortunate”. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925933 Sun, 02 Jan 2022 16:15:23 +0000 cake2017 2925933@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You can still catch the virus vaxed or not. Also, it’s very mild for children and Omicron is mild overall. It’s here to stay and it’s unfortunate that there has been a division over people getting vaccinated or not specifically with Covid. I hope you will feel better and get what’s best for your child specifically. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925923 Wed, 29 Dec 2021 09:52:04 +0000 Grace 2925923@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My compromise is to wear cloth in low risk situations, like to go into a not-crowded store for 5 min or if I have to go into work and sit separated from others and KN95 for high-risk, like getting my hair cut. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925906 Tue, 28 Dec 2021 14:25:02 +0000 DesertDreams88 2925906@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@meadow: @erinbaderin: yes, surgical masks are definitely better because of the middle layer being less porous than most cloth materials. </p> <p>Fit is an issue with all masks. Surgical masks are more adjustable, IMHO, at least compared to the floppy, ill-fitting cloth masks I see the majority of my students wearing (I don't see any adults wearing masks). Surgical masks are adjustable along the nose bridge and it's usually easier to tie the earloops to get a tighter fit. If you have well-fitting cloth masks, great, but they're no match for Omicron (neither were they for Delta.....)</p> <p>KN95s and KF94s are great, but expensive. I personally like the design of KF94s best. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925904 Mon, 27 Dec 2021 21:04:34 +0000 meadow 2925904@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: yes, the cnn article made it seem like those blue masks were superior......I've worn them a couple times since summer 2020 and have always felt LESS protected than w my cloth masks. :sad: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925903 Mon, 27 Dec 2021 20:35:46 +0000 erinbaderin 2925903@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>By paper masks do you mean the blue surgical masks? I don’t think they’re really much better, from what I’m seeing, because they have so many gaps. I’ve read that you can basically wear the KN95 masks, though, until they wear out, I’ve seen a few people say that the elastic will wear out before the masks stop being effective. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925902 Mon, 27 Dec 2021 08:37:48 +0000 poppygirl15 2925902@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just bought Happy Masks after hearing rave reviews about them. We are not impressed. They just don't seem to fit us very well. But, my son absolutely refuses to wear paper masks, so we'll probably buy him a second Happy Mask just because it's better than normal cloth. As for the rest of us, I'm glad to have *something* reusable for taking a quick walk, etc. Otherwise, we'll all be wearing N95/94s. Thanks for letting me know how long you can wear the same one! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925901 Mon, 27 Dec 2021 08:27:22 +0000 meadow 2925901@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Great suggestions.....</p> <p>@JJ2626: omg, I had no idea you could wear them longer. That explains why I've seen some of my hs students show up with schmutz on their masks! Haha </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925897 Sun, 26 Dec 2021 14:35:44 +0000 periwinklebee 2925897@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@karenbme: - I'm really sorry, this seems so rough. </p> <p>I have three kids under five and it was definitely a blow. Their daycare has been closed for much of the past month due to quarantines (they test teachers and omicron causing lots of breakthroughs). Every time this happens I have them home for two weeks, in addition to having the concern that they were exposed. They announced they were going to be closed next month and pay teachers because omicron made it too dangerous to operate, then they backtracked to open very partially which upset the staff for obvious reasons - don't tell people it's too dangerous to work and then change your mind. This has made the existing labor shortage untenable and now we are looking at reduced care availability for an indefinite, extended period. My stress level - and that of other parents - is through the roof. We really need a new care arrangement, but it's not easy to find in our area. </p> <p>The vaccine I think would have helped - in addition to obviously offering them some protection. I've resigned myself now to the fact that with how contagious omicron is, they are probably going to get it before they can be fully vaxed, though we are still taking every precaution possible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925896 Sat, 25 Dec 2021 21:13:23 +0000 lady baltimore 2925896@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My compromise since starting back to in-person teaching this fall has been to use disposable carbon filter inserts with my multi-layer fabric masks. I also balk at tossing out so many masks (and am honestly not sure that I could convince my kindergartener to switch), but am considering transitioning to KN95s until my maternity leave starts in February. I will hate to lose the option to switch between ear loop and behind-the-head styles throughout the week, though.</p> <p>Thanks for all of the recommendations on this thread! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925895 Sat, 25 Dec 2021 14:55:07 +0000 JJ2626 2925895@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@meadow: @hitchhiker: Totally agree in general about Amazon. I looked into before I bought and these are legit: [20 Pack] Dr.Puri New Micro-Dust Protection Face Premium Mask (KF94) White Medium <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08N6721WY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_QKJ4WDA66P0HJ07M0AVA?_encoding=UTF8&#038;psc=1" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08N6721WY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_QKJ4WDA66P0HJ07M0AVA?_encoding=UTF8&#038;psc=1</a></p> <p>But, also agree that behealthy.net has lots of options. I think happy masks are great if you want better than cloth but it’s not a super high risk situation. Enro masks are another option for this. My kid wears happy masks bc no kn95 seems fit her right, but she’s barely ever inside (outdoor preschool) And for a kid, I think something imperfect is better than nothing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925894 Sat, 25 Dec 2021 14:33:29 +0000 hitchhiker 2925894@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ineebee: Yes, I would say significantly less effective out of the box than a KN95/KF94 (which have 95%+ filtration efficiency) and significantly worse than that after 5 washes. He posts all of his data on his youtube page. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925893 Sat, 25 Dec 2021 14:19:24 +0000 ineebee 2925893@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hitchhiker: Thanks for the info. I don’t follow this guy and don’t understand the terminology of his test, but it sounds like after washing, some measure of effectiveness is compromised? Bummer. </p>