Information from the CDC and the Los Angeles County of Department of Health

 Children can be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and can get sick with COVID-19. Most children with COVID-19 have mild symptoms or they may have no symptoms at all (“asymptomatic”). Fewer children have been sick with COVID-19 compared to adults. Babies younger than 1 and children with certain underlying medical conditions may be more likely to have serious illness from COVID-19. Some children have developed a rare but serious disease that is linked to COVID-19 called multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C).

For more information about how people get sick with the virus that causes COVID-19, see How COVID-19 Spreads.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a serious condition associated with COVID-19 where different body parts can become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs. For information, see MIS-C.  (please see our Parent Resources page - MIS-C in Children for more information)

Community spread means people have been infected with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected. Each health department determines community spread differently based on local conditions. For information on community spread in your area, please visit your local health department’s website. 

 How can I protect my unvaccinated family members?

These are the best ways to protect your unvaccinated family members, including children who cannot get vaccinated yet:

• Get vaccinated yourself. COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of people getting COVID-19 and can also reduce the risk of spreading it.
• Be sure to get everyone in your family who is 12 years or older vaccinated against COVID-19.
• Wear a mask.
  • To maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, have everyone in your family, even those who are vaccinated, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission.
  • You might choose to have everyone in your family, even those who are vaccinated, wear a mask indoors in public regardless of the level of transmission in your area.
  • Unvaccinated family members, including children 2 years and older, should wear a mask in all indoor public settings.
    • To set an example, you also might choose to wear a mask.
    • Do NOT put a mask on children younger than 2 years old.

 Choose safer activities for your family.

• Outdoor activities are safer than indoor ones. If you are indoors, choose a location that is well ventilated, for example a room with open windows, and know when to wear a mask.
• Avoid activities that make it hard to stay 6 feet away from others.
• If your family member is younger than 2 years old or cannot wear a mask, limit visits with people who are not vaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown and keep distance between your child and other people in public.

Regardless of which safer activities your family chooses, remember to protect yourself and others.

 As more people are getting vaccinated and resuming activities they did before the pandemic, parents and caregivers are making hard decisions on how to protect their families. Not everyone is able to get vaccinated, so you may be confused about how to keep your family safe, especially if your family has vaccinated and unvaccinated members.

Here are some things to consider when planning outings with your family.

 Everyone 12 years and older should get a COVID-19 vaccination to help protect against COVID-19.

• Help protect your whole family by getting yourself and your children who are 12 years and older vaccinated against COVID-19.
• People who are not fully vaccinated and children under 12 years who are not able to get a COVID-19 vaccine should continue taking steps to prevent getting sick.
• To maximize protection from COVID-19, and in particular, the Delta variant, and prevent possibly spreading it to others, everyone, regardless of vaccination status, should wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission. 

 People with certain underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

• If you or a family member have a condition or are taking medications that weaken your immune system, you may not be fully protected even if you are fully vaccinated. You should continue to take all precautions recommended for unvaccinated people until advised otherwise by your healthcare provider.
• Wearing a mask is most important if you have a weakened immune system or if, because of your age or an underlying medical condition, you are at increased risk for severe disease, or if someone in your household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease, or is unvaccinated. If this applies to you or your household, you might choose to wear a mask regardless of the level of transmission in your area.

  Outdoor activities and settings are safer than indoor ones.

• Avoid places that are poorly ventilated.
• Avoid crowded places and gatherings where it may be hard to stay at least 6 feet away from others who don’t live with you.

   Use CDC Data Tracker to learn about the situation in your community.

  If your community has a high number of COVID-19 cases or a low number of fully vaccinated people,      

  consider choosing safer activities.

 Learn how to talk to professional caregivers, extended family members, family friends, teachers, or other people your loved one spends time with about how to keep your loved one safe from COVID-19.

• Check that your child’s school, childcare program, your family member’s adult care program, or other caregivers are taking the necessary steps to protect your loved ones in their care.
  • Learn more about CDC’s latest recommendations for K-12 schools and early care and education programs.
• Tell them to encourage your family member to wear a mask indoors or in spaces where it is hard to stay 6 feet away from others.
  • Caregivers can help model mask-wearing for children who are too young to get vaccinated.
• Let caregivers know, as appropriate, if your loved one or someone they live with has an underlying medical condition or a weakened immune system.
• Pack an extra mask in your child’s backpack. If your child is old enough, ask if your child can bring hand sanitizer from home to use when they cannot wash their hands with soap and water. 

As families begin participating in more of the activities they did before the pandemic, children or other family members may worry about themselves, their family, and friends getting sick with COVID-19. They may feel anxious about returning to school, childcare, or normal activities like grocery shopping or gatherings. Parents, family members, and other trusted adults can help your loved one make sense of what they hear.

• Make yourself available to listen and to talk. Let your family member know they can come to you when they have questions.
• Reassure your child or family member that they are safe.
• Let them know it is okay if they feel upset. Share with them how you deal with your own stress so that they can learn how to cope from you.
• Answer questions honestly and share facts about COVID-19 in a way that your family member can understand.
• Teach children and other family members everyday actions to reduce the spread of germs.
  • Parents and caregivers can help by modeling these behaviors themselves.
• Discuss with your family member any new actions or routines that may be taken at school, childcare, adult care, or other activities to help protect them and others.
• Take steps to protect you and your family’s mental health.
  • Try to keep up with regular routines.
  • Find safe ways to keep your family connected with friends and other family members.
  • Teach your family healthy coping skills by modeling them yourself. Take breaks, get plenty of sleep, exercise, and eat well.