CAMAGÜEY.- The number of infections with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that causes COVID-19 has been increasing throughout Cuba and the province of Camagüey is no exception. For this reason we request the criteria of Dr. Yamina Rivero Fernández, specialist in Pediatrics, Master in Infectious Diseases and Assistant Professor at the Carlos J. Finlay University of Medical Sciences, in this city. She works in the respiratory service of the Eduardo Agramonte Piña pediatric hospital.
Our main concern is to publicize how much the adult population can do to avoid infections in minors, of course, because they are responsible for taking care of them and protecting them in every way, about which she commented:
—In the group of children under one year of age and newborns it is unforgivable, and I call it that because it is what I feel as a pediatrician and as a person, that in such complex times those babies and even, up to five years to set a limit, still be kissed on their faces, it should have been a prohibitive act, but it must be left to the families to reconsider.
"And outside of the pandemic?"
—Neither, the microbial flora of the pharynx in adults is capable of producing serious diseases in children, especially those under five years of age, I insist, and this event can kill them, much less kiss them on the mouth, something I know is almost a fashion in these times, with which I totally disagree, in what I agree with the criteria of the scientific authorities. This is a practice that also denotes lack of hygiene.
- Do you think that this pandemic emanates lessons?
—Undoubtedly it has brought us too much sadness, to our country and to the world; however, we are obliged to draw lessons. First, that among the fundamental issues to take into account to avoid infectious contagious diseases and with it respiratory infections, of course, with the addition of COVID-19, are isolation, distancing from person to person, the use of face masks and proper hand washing, which all in unison guarantee life.
“It must be declared, categorically, that even without its purpose, part of the Camagüey family has been irresponsible with the care of their children, because their legal guardians have failed to commit to their children, which is to care for and protect them. .
“For our little ones to grow up healthy, they need a family environment that ensures their lives and the future and it is a matter of preserving them from a disease that leaves unknown sequelae, which can bring the possibility of significant damage that are still being studied by scientists ”.
—In the beginning it seemed that COVID-19 had no preference for minors and if they suffered from it then they would go through less serious behaviors ...
—In fact, but the same is not happening anymore, multiple strains have been described that circulate in the world, the South African and others under study, all more contagious and dangerous and that due to this high level of contagion saturate the health services. It is good to know that the strains are produced when an exaggerated circulation of the virus occurs and when passing from person to person, and this occurs when individuals are not responsible for their actions and violate established sanitary measures.
- What do the parents or relatives of the children who become ill report?
—Many tell us, the same to us as to doctors in the red zone: “I don't leave the house”; however, there are those who enter and leave these houses and do not behave properly because this is on the streets, they lower their masks to eat or smoke and everything near other human beings and that is not correct, this ailment does not have face, we do not know who suffers from it and, furthermore, it is forbidden, those who do that are irresponsible and we cannot call them otherwise, they acquire COVID-19, they arrive at home and transmit it to their children, how long is it going to happen this? When are they going to have a perception of danger? It is time to put an end to this issue.
“Sometimes we think and think and we don't know how to say it - when referring to all the specialists at all levels - and all citizens, and the families of the children, have to worry and equally take care to prevent this problem from continuing and becoming even worse, and I repeat, parents and legal guardians are responsible for those children ”.
- Do you think all the information that is offered on a daily basis is enough?
—There are even those who think that the information is too much, and apparently, others do not hear it or think they feel strange until someone close to it suffers from it, but it would be better not to get to that point.
"Our children depend on their families, our country is a flag bearer by UNICEF due to the care they profess. We live in a country where its authorities are concerned with disease prevention, with one of the most complete vaccination schemes, that is, infectious diseases in Cuba have significant vaccination coverage, they are capable of preventing diseases such as childhood tuberculosis, polio, meningitis, hepatitis, diphtheria, tetanus, in short, against 13 diseases. I have worked in Africa and have visited other countries, and I can assure you that what is done in Cuba for the health of our children does not rest for the result to be successful in this regard.
“The child under one year of age and the newborn are the most vulnerable group to any disease. Of course, in COVID-19 this group is highly vulnerable to suffering severe complications that can cause significant sequelae and bring sadness to our families. We do not emphasize with the objective of frightening the population, and we do emphasize that people know that children are dying all over the world, our purpose is to raise awareness of the need to be very careful, and that it is known that there is a high morbidity and mortality in the world, and that in our country and in this province there is a high morbidity, that is, many sick children. In Cuba - up to the moment of this interview - four minors had died, and it is necessary to awaken within the human being that instinct of preservation to protect lives ”.
How would you divide the course of this pandemic?
—This sad disease could be divided into three stages. The first from the end of March to July of last year where there were 21 children confirmed and cared for in Camagüey, seven from this province and the rest from Ciego de Ávilla and two foreigners, in whom we applied little antimicrobials; a second from September 9 to December 2020 in which a significant number of children were treated and already with the use of antimicrobials for bronchopneumonia associated with COVID-19, while the third from January to the present in which we have attended in the first semester of this year more than 600 children confirmed with this disease, of these more than 150 under the age of one, and these are extremely sad and worrying figures. The predominant ages of this last stage have been adolescents from nine to 14 years old and from 15 to 18 years old.
"Teens are a little more difficult to handle ..."
—Even so it can be said that there has been irresponsibility in this age group, they cannot walk the streets at will, we are not on vacation. Huge efforts are being made in the country so that they receive their television classes, so the elderly are permissible with them, and that is the same responsibility of the families, everything cannot be left in the hands of the Health personnel Public. We cannot get tired, but the family is the main link to avoid greater evils.
Translated by Linet Acuña Quilez