The following (VERY troubling news and press release is from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. We are in a very dangerous time in most parts of our country and most of us know it… the ones who don’t “know” it are so far in the darkness of denial that it scares me to think what it’d take for them to see the light of reality.

And just so you know, if you’re one of those constantly angry deniers, don’t waste your time spouting off your anger or nonsense in the comments – I’ll neither read them or publish them. Comments have to be approved by me for them to show up on the blog, so, again, if you’re one of those people, don’t waste your time. Please, everyone, just read the facts and take every precaution you can to keep your family, friends, and community safe.

St. Jude pediatric infectious disease expert says, “our children are in a very, very dangerous moment”

Less than half of eligible adolescents are currently vaccinated, as the Delta variant surges in pediatric populations across the country

MEMPHIS, TENN. – New data from the American Academy of Pediatrics shows a 240% increase in Covid-19 cases since July in our nation’s children and Diego R. Hijano, M.D., a pediatric infectious disease specialist at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN is warning that unless we act now our kids are facing the most dangerous moment of their lifetimes.

“The message here cannot be more clear, all parents and eligible children should take steps today to receive the life-saving Covid-19 vaccine,” said St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s Dr. Diego Hijano who specializes in infectious diseases in children and conducts research into the spread of respiratory viruses among pediatric populations.

Dr. Hijano continued, “Our children are in a very, very dangerous moment and the Delta variant has proven, as predicted, to be the most highly transmittable strain of the virus we’ve yet faced. With less than half of the eligible adolescent population fully vaccinated, every American must do their part and take action now by getting vaccinated and masking up in public settings – or the situation is likely to get worse and our kids will continue to suffer.”

Dr. Diego Hijano specializes in infectious diseases in children and conducts research into the spread of respiratory viruses among pediatric populations. The FDA’s emergency use authorization for the Covid-19 vaccine covers every child 12 years old and up. The CDC Director reported yesterday the public health agency’s scientists are working on the Covid-19 vaccine for children younger than 12 and hope to have it available by the end of the year.

“As we await emergency use authorization of the Covid-19 vaccine for children younger than 12 years of age, those in close contact with them should be taking additional precautions such as masking up to protect them,” Dr. Hijano concluded.

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St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and cures childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. St. Jude is ranked the No. 1 pediatric cancer hospital by U.S. News & World Report. Treatments developed at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude freely shares the breakthroughs it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing and food — because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. To learn more, visit stjude.org or follow St. Jude on social media at @stjuderesearch.