In terms of 18-20s spreading it, I HAVE NO DOUBTS. AT ALL.
On a semi-related note, I REALLY hate how people say kids at schools aren't producing outbreaks (when science proves their viral load is many times that of an adult's) and when schools opened and all of the sudden community spread BLEW TF UP...Here is why saying kids don't cause an issue is stupid:
1. kids don't usually get tested because they have "cold-like" or NO symptoms most of the time... (you need special considerations to test under 18 and most places refuse to test anyone without symptoms)
2. If an adult family member has covid and tests positive, no one tests the kid because they already know what is up (therefore, omitting data from the public pools). They either send the kid back (knowing they are asymptomatic and contagious, or quarantine for 14 days regardless of symptoms, or lack thereof )...and when no one tests, exposed staff and teachers are screwed (they cannot quarantine w/o taking a pay cut in most cases-- unless there is a verified link to school-exposure (e.g., a confirmed case))...BUT PARENTS DON'T TEST KIDS WHO SEEM HEALTHY or mildly ill-- and test sites discourage it!!
3. In many cases, principals and administrators have every reason to hide as much information as they can, so contact tracing falls apart when dealing with most students under 18.
.4. Teachers have to sign all of these waivers that basically imply that if they get it, it was there fault (e.g., "oh, so you were closer than 6 ft?!?!" -- neverminded the fact that perfectly normal teens will walk right up to you 50 times a day and no matter how much you ask them to step back, the 15 cumulative minutes over 24 hours is a serious issue in schools)...
5. If a kid is tested or suspected of COVID, they are out until they have a doctors note and a negative covid test, which can take days (or until 14 days pass). Not testing is like the world's worst loop-hole for killing everyone..but it is basically encouraged.
6. A temperature that causes a digital thermometer to beep (in a child) is ignored...even if they haven't been moving around and even if it has never happened, despite 2x daily checks...unless it is over 100.4..If I have a temp of 99..I am very sick...
7. These forehead thermometers are SOOO easily skewed by outdoor air temp etc-- we take them at the door and I am 96 daily...when I am not that cold...winter hits, and I bet I pull 94...93...
8. Even in schools, people do not wear masks properly and social distancing is nearly impossible...and kids run around licking everything with masks below their noses.
SO, these asymptomatic carriers go home (no or few symptoms) and spread to the community. Mom and dad can't miss work, and "junior" has a cold--- acceptable in past years...HECK, kids came in VERY ill all of the time in past years, and parents still didn't come get them until 4 or 5 o' clock sometimes...well past school hours...This does not work with COVID and it was already messed up then!
