Amelie Borges, Class IV, and Emma Kitaygorodsky, Class IV
Photo Credit: Pexels
Health is not a laughing matter. Awareness surrounding health should be at a high, but this winter a "tripledemic" emerged. COVID-19 took the world by storm, closing schools and offices, forcing people into quarantine, and changing the course of many people’s lives. Throughout this time, the focus was on this virus and how to protect against it. While it was important, over time the focus on immunizations against other viruses began to deteriorate. During the "tripledemic," various viruses made a striking return.
The "tripledemic" was a result of a spike in COVID-19, flu, and RSV cases. RSV is short for respiratory syncytial virus and is a contagious virus that causes infections of the respiratory tract. According to the CDC, RSV symptoms are mild and cold-like, and the recovery period is a week to two weeks. It’s also "the most common cause of bronchitis and pneumonia in children younger than one year old." Although it is usually harmless, it can be detrimental to the health of young children and older adults. Hospitalization may be necessary, which is a problem whenever the check-in rate for a virus spikes.
The flu, short for influenza, is a viral infection that, more often than not, is harmless but can be deadly. Symptoms include fever, headache, cough, sore throat, or runny nose, among other things. Usually it is self-diagnosable, but if you are concerned, it is best to go to the doctor. The typical recovery period is five to seven days. Concerningly, since November 2022, children have made up two-thirds of emergency department visits for flu-like illnesses.
COVID-19 is a prominent, live issue that must be taken cautiously. The contagious and deadly virus can cause respiratory symptoms that can feel like the common cold, flu, or pneumonia. According to Gothamist, since October 2022, COVID case rates among teenagers aged 10–12 have increased by 76%. With cases back on the rise in NYC schools, the health department has issued an indoor mask recommendation. COVID is still no joke, and the proper procedures must be followed to ensure everyone stays safe.
The "tripledemic" had been brewing since September 2022, with cases of the flu, COVID, and RSV rapidly rising. Hospitalization rates went up exponentially, overwhelming pediatric and adult hospitals. The colder months create the perfect environment for viruses to spread.
This increase in cases affected many schools around the city, increasing the number of absent teachers and students. Last school year, one of the main reasons 41% of students were marked as chronically absent was because of an increase in COVID cases, according to the New York Daily News. Chronic absenteeism makes managing all parts of a school seem impossible, delaying academic progress and making it more difficult to develop a community capable of fostering the sense of belonging and interpersonal ties that motivate students to attend school in the first place.
According to Ms. Glass, At TBLS, we currently have a 95% daily average attendance. As of January, we have 10.5% of discipuli who are chronically absent and 4.0% in the severely chronically absent category (chronically absent = 80.01–90% and 0-80% = chronically absent). To paint a picture, 90% on an exam is normally a great number; however, in this instance, 90% attendance means that you are missing, on average, 1 school day every 2 weeks, which adds up to around 18 school days over the year. That's a lot of school days! As a school, we want to reduce both the 4% and the 10.5%, in order to assist those students in returning to school. We can do a large part of that by keeping everyone's health intact.
There are many steps you can take to prevent the spread of illnesses. Washing your hands frequently, avoiding touching your face, covering your mouth and nose while sneezing or coughing, wearing a mask, getting vaccinated, and cleaning everyday items that could accumulate germs and bacteria are all ways to avoid falling ill. The "tripledemic" was brewing since September 2022, with flu, COVID, and RSV cases rapidly increasing. Hospitalization rates increased at an alarming rate, overloading pediatric and adult facilities. The colder months provide an ideal setting for viruses to spread. It is critical for everyone to continue to consider their health during this cold season while also keeping an eye out for others.
For additional information on determining whether you are ill or what kind of illness you may have, go to: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/13/well/covid-flu-rsv-symptoms.html
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