Updated CDC camp guidance not prioritizing children's well-being, doctor says

"The CDC recommendations for summer camps not only lack scientific backing but go against reliable data," Saphier said. "The CDC has consistently been 3 months behind the data with their recommendations and our children are suffering because of it. Outdoor transmission is negligible, especially among young children. Children wearing masks outside is futile and does little except hinder their development and make good optics for the mask mandate supporters."

While the CDC acknowledges that fewer children have gotten sick with COVID-19 compared to adults during the pandemic, the agency explained that children can still be infected and get sick with COVID and spread the virus to others. CDC officials note that children are more likely to be asymptomatic or to have mild, non-specific symptoms, but are less likely than adults to have severe illness or die. However, the guidance also notes that camps play a signiifcant role in children's social, emotional and physical development and can "prevent summer learning loss." Health officials emphasized in the guidance that camp administrators should tailor the safety meausres to meet their community's unique needs and circumstances.