This survey study assesses whether child masking policies are associated with COVID-19–related childcare program closures. Key Points Question Is child masking associated with reduced COVID-19–related childcare program closures? Findings In this survey study of 6654 childcare professionals from all 50 states, child masking at baseline (May 22 to June 8, 2020) was associated with a 13% reduction in program closure within the following year, and continued child masking throughout the 1-year study period was associated with a 14% reduction in program closure. Meaning These results suggest that masking of children in childcare programs is associated with reduced program closures, supporting current masking recommendation in younger children provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Importance It is not known how effective child masking is in childcare settings in preventing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. This question is critical to inform health policy and safe childcare practices. Objective To assess the association between masking children 2 years and older and subsequent childcare closure because of COVID-19. Design, Setting, and Participants A prospective, 1-year, longitudinal electronic survey study of 6654 childcare professionals at home- and center-based childcare programs in all 50 states was conducted at baseline (May 22 to June 8, 2020) and follow-up (May 26 to June 23, 2021). Using a generalized linear model (log-binomial model) with robust SEs, this study evaluated the association between childcare program closure because of a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 case in either children or staff during the study period and child masking in both early adoption (endorsed at baseline) and continued masking (endorsed at baseline and follow-up), while controlling for physical distancing, other risk mitigation strategies, and program and community characteristics. Exposures Child masking in childcare programs as reported by childcare professionals at baseline and both baseline and follow-up. Main Outcomes and Measures Childcare program closure because of a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case in either children or staff as reported in the May 26 to June 23, 2021, end survey. Results This survey study of 6654 childcare professionals (mean [SD] age, 46.9 [11.3] years; 750 [11.3%] were African American, 57 [0.9%] American Indian/Alaska Native, 158 [2.4%] Asian, 860 [12.9%] Hispanic, 135 [2.0%] multiracial [anyone who selected >1 race on the survey], 18 [0.3%] Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and 5020 [75.4%] White) found that early adoption (baseline) of child masking was associated with a 13% lower risk of childcare program closure because of a COVID-19 case (adjusted relative risk, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.77-0.99), and continued masking for 1 year was associated with a 14% lower risk (adjusted relative risk, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.74-1.00). Conclusions and Relevance This survey study of childcare professionals suggests that masking young children is associated with fewer childcare program closures, enabling in-person education. This finding has important public health policy implications for families that rely on childcare to sustain employment.
【초록키워드】 COVID-19, public health, SARS-CoV-2, children, risk, prevention, Health, Characteristics, Child, Control, Community, age, physical distancing, Follow-up, Critical, African American, association, Hispanic, exposure, Generalized linear model, employment, Safe, Asian, Older, 95% CI, COVID-19 case, adjusted relative risk, study period, lower risk, measure, white, center, participant, finding, professional, confirmed COVID-19 case, implication, objective, effective, setting, robust, Result, selected, reported, subsequent, evaluated, conducted, provided, reduced, question, reduction in, Importance, baseline, Native, Point, preventing the transmission, Relevance, 【제목키워드】 Child, Program, masking, closure,