Happy Friday,

Hope everyone's week was fantastic! After just a few solo days with my daughter, I've realized something: I might do endurance sports, but parenting? That's the real marathon. Now, off to swim class we go.

Have a great weekend y’all!

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One Big Idea

Why Children Experience More Mild COVID-19 Symptoms

It's been a relief for many parents that kids often face milder COVID-19 symptoms compared to adults. A recent study supported by the National Institutes of Health has shed some light on why this might be the case. The study observed that when children get infected, their immune response is mainly activated in their noses, stopping the virus before it spreads to other parts of the body. On the other hand, adults have a more widespread immune response, which sometimes leads to severe symptoms as the fight against the virus escalates within their body.

The details of the study reveal more: alongside the different response locations, the longevity of the antibody response in kids stood out. Unlike adults whose antibody responses might dissipate quicker, young children showed a persistence of antibody levels up to 300 days post-infection. This nuanced immune response in kids seemed to be a protective factor against severe illness, a silver lining that has kept many parents' worries at ease during the pandemic.

Takeaway:

While this study is insightful but it doesn't mean parents should skip vaccinating their kids against COVID-19. Vaccinations are still crucial as they provide a strong line of defense against serious illness. It’s important to consult with your pediatrician to understand the best way to protect your children from COVID-19 and follow the vaccination guidelines provided by health authorities.

Trending Stories & Insights

• A new survey, conducted in August including 1500 Americans in 50 states, shows that almost half of kids would choose to confide in their grandparents over their parents

• Last month, after a lawsuit filed by a tech industry group, including Meta and TikTok, a federal judge in California preliminarily blocked a new online children’s privacy law that was aimed at regulating how some of the most popular social media and video game platforms treat minors

• A new study shows that outdoor parks provide opportunities for children to engage in risky play and develop independence and problem-solving skills

Tip of the Day

• As parents, there’s no question that we’re used to feeling stressed. Here’s a simple step you can take each morning to relieve stress and get your day started off right

F**k it, here’s a dad joke

Did you hear about the bossy man at the bar?

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Time(out) for Memes