Earlier in the current pandemic it was widely held that children and young adults were less likely to be affected by SARS-CoV-2. While that remains largely true the thinking has seen major shifts as more is learned about the virus, its interactions and effects on victims. The recent observations of severe multisystem hyperinflammatory syndrome similar to Kawasaki syndrome ( a not too common system-wide inflammatory vasculitis ) in some children leading to deaths in at least three in New York lay bare the erroneous assumptions. Young people and children occupy a strategic place as vehicles for SARS-CoV-2 virus transmission in the current pandemic. They too can succumb to this deadly infection as it makes its rounds in the pandemic . Unfortunately, predictions as to who will suffer a mild as opposed to severe course of this viral illness remains an illusion.

As the number of U.S. confirmed cases climb, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the US Department of Health and Human Services announced it will exercise its enforcement discretion to permit providers to deliver care to patients through everyday communication technologies during this COVID-19 public health emergency and waive potential HIPAA violations that may be associated with such media.

We are empowering medical providers to serve patients wherever they are during this national public health emergency. We are especially concerned about reaching those most at risk, including older persons and persons with disabilities. – Roger Severino, OCR Director.

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