Children's Health

In a widely shared graphic, a tan curve represents a scenario without social distancing measures and where the U.S. hospital system becomes inundated with coronavirus patients.

Flattening A Pandemic's Curve: Why Staying Home Now Can Save Lives

7:21pm March 13, 2020

by Maria Godoy

From school closures to event cancellations, the disruptions are real — and vital. It's all to slow the spread of coronavirus, so hospitals don't get so overwhelmed that they can't treat the sickest.

The coronavirus is raising a lot of questions for parents, like what does it mean to work from home while parenting young children?

Coronavirus And Parenting: What You Need To Know Now

10:20am March 13, 2020

The coronavirus is raising a lot of questions for parents, from how to talk to children about it to weathering school closures to screen time strategies when you're home with little ones.

Proactive School Closings Can Stem Disease Spread — But Closing Causes Its Own Worries

11:47am March 11, 2020

by Cory Turner

Closing schools could slow the spread of coronavirus — but school leaders worry closure comes with its own risks, especially for kids who depend on school meals and whose parents can't take off work.

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Pharmacist Raphael Lynne gives a flu shot in Miami in 2018. This year's vaccination against influenza has been reducing infections by "about 40 to 50 percent," says Emily Martin, an epidemiologist with the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

U.S. Flu Season Beginning To Ease, Modelers Say

6:05pm March 09, 2020

by Joe Palca

Though COVID-19 has captured the headlines, influenza places a huge burden on the health care system. This year's flu shot provides good protection, the CDC says, so do get one if you haven't already.

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How To Master The 20-Second Hand-Wash

6:17pm March 07, 2020

Getting to the 20-second mark is as easy as singing your ABCs. But what you do during those 20 seconds of scrubbing up to reduce coronavirus risk does take some training.

Kids Around The World Are Reading NPR's Coronavirus Comic

7:00am March 07, 2020

by Malaka Gharib

Teachers, parents and librarians share how they have been using the comic to educate children about the new coronavirus.

Colorado State Sen. Brittany Pettersen with her husband Ian Silverii and their dog Ollie, last August in their home in Colorado. Petterson, who gave birth to the couple's son this year, has lobbied hard to expand paid family and medical leave throughout t

Paid Family Leave Bill Faces An Uphill Fight In Colorado

8:08pm March 06, 2020

by Markian Hawryluk

Eight states and Washington, D.C., have paid family leave programs funded through payroll taxes. But a similar bill in blue-state Colorado is being watered down.

Students sit for an exam in Ahmedabad, India, on Thursday. In the nation's capital, New Delhi, all primary schools have been ordered closed until March 31 because of coronavirus concerns.

As Schools Close Because Of Coronavirus, Nearly 300 Million Kids Aren't In Class

4:54pm March 05, 2020

by Laurel Wamsley

According to the United Nations, almost two dozen countries on three continents have closed schools because of the virus. China by far has the most students affected: more than 233 million.

Health care workers bring a patient into an ambulance at Life Care Center in Kirkland, Wash. Two deceased residents of the eldercare facility had posthumous diagnoses of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.

Who Faces The Greatest Risk Of Severe Illness From Coronavirus?

4:43pm March 04, 2020

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

The data from China offer insights into the way different age groups are affected after being infected.

Pediatrician Laura Blaisdell, co-chair of Maine Families for Vaccines, joined supporters at the Augusta State House in February for a campaign event.

Vaccine Exemptions Are On The Ballot In Maine, After A New Law Divided Parents

5:34pm March 03, 2020

by Patty Wight

Maine passed a new law last year to increase childhood immunization rates. The law, not yet in effect, would forbid religious and philosophical exemptions — if it's not repealed on Super Tuesday.