Dynamic Masking: A Proposal of Burden-Based Metrics for Masking in K-12 Schools During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: Ongoing masking of K-12 children has not been universally accepted despite recommendation from public health authorities. In states without universal mask mandates for schools, district administrators are forced to make masking decisions under significant local political pressures. There is a call for endpoints to masking to allow communities to tailor mitigation while keeping schools safe, focusing on harm reduction.

SARS-CoV-2 Incidence and Transmission in 48 K-12 Virginia Public Schools During Community Surge.

Among 20 681 students and 4282 staff, the in-school transmission of SARS-CoV-2 appeared low during highest community spread and at 3- to 6-foot distancing. Nine of 820 school cases (1.1%) resulted in spread, with only one student-to-staff transmission.

COVID-19 Transmission during Transportation of 1st to 12th Grade Students: Experience of an Independent School in Virginia.

Background: In-school transmission of COVID-19 among K-12 students is low when mitigation layers are used, but the risk of acquiring COVID-19 during school bus transportation is not well defined. Given the operational limitations of many school districts, more data is needed to determine what mitigation is required to keep COVID-19 transmission low during bus transport.

Methods: An independent school in Virginia monitored 1154 students in grades 1 to 12 with asymptomatic PCR testing every 2 weeks from August 24, 2020 to March 19, 2021, during the highest community transmission.

A survey of characteristics of smokeless tobacco users in a treatment program.

Objective: To determine the characteristics and outcomes of smokeless tobacco (ST) users receiving interventions in an outpatient tobacco-dependence treatment program.

Methods: Survey was mailed with telephone follow-up to ST users treated during a 2-year period.

Results: Nicotine replacement therapy and family and social support were the most helpful intervention components in maintaining tobacco abstinence.

Treatments for spit tobacco use: a quantitative systematic review.

Aims: Spit tobacco use is prevalent in the United States and is associated with adverse health consequences. Health-care providers have neither evidence summaries nor evidence-based guidelines to assist them in treating patients who use spit tobacco.

Design: We completed a systematic review of the literature to determine the efficacy and safety of pharmacological and behavioral interventions for the treatment of spit tobacco use.