I'm Brian Lerer. This is my daily politics podcast from WNYC Studios. It's Friday, May 7th.

So now let's talk about summer and how parents can navigate the reopening of travel options, summer camps,

backyard barbecues, all available for those of us who are vaccinated. But even if the FDA

approves the Pfizer vaccine for 12 and up, as it's expected to next week, that still means

parents and caretakers of younger children will be navigating some bumpy terrain

and trying to decide what the acceptable level of risk is for the kids in their care and for

themselves because it's not settled. For example, the CDC has set guidelines for summer camps

that many think err on the side of too much caution. And New York Magazine found

an epidemiologist and a pediatric immunologist who called the guidance cruel and draconian.

Even Dr. Fauci acknowledged that they were a bit strict, his term, on the Today Show. So we've

invited Dr. Daniel Griffin to join us again to talk through

some of this. He's been on the front lines of the pandemic with his patients and advising doctors

as an infectious disease clinician and a researcher at Columbia and chief of the division of

infectious disease at the pro-health medical group. Hi, Dr. Griffin. Welcome back. Thanks for coming on again.

Oh, good morning. My pleasure, Brian.

So, doctor, I guess part of what makes this complicated is that the risk assessment for kids

is different than for adults, given that kids are at a lower risk of serious symptoms,

even if they're infected with COVID-19.

So if the adults around them are vaccinated, then what constitutes risk?

No, I think that's a great question, Brian.

And I love the way you phrase it, because it is clear that children are at lower risk.

That is clear.

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