We are all going through an unprecedented time and our stress levels are extremely high. For our kids, however, this can be magnified as they may be feeling the strains of social isolation and intense worry.
Joining to help us to understand COVID 19 and kids is Dr. Margaret Stager is the Director of the Division of Adolescent Medicine at MetroHealth Medical Center and a spokesperson for the AAP.
How do we go about leveling expectations? Can my kid have one or 2 friends over outside? Can they use the bathroom inside? Can they safely hang out with friends that have also been "good?" We go over all this and more.
Can Adolescents Safely Socialize On Winter Break?
Dr. Margaret Stager
Dr. Margaret Stager is the Director of the Division of Adolescent Medicine at MetroHealth Medical Center, a teaching hospital for the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. She obtained her medical degree from the State University of Buffalo, New York, School of Medicine; completed a Pediatric Residency at University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio; and completed an Adolescent Medicine Fellowship at Boston Children’s Hospital. As Director of the Division of Adolescent Medicine, Dr. Stager is responsible for the teaching and training of medical students and residents in the practice of adolescent and young adult medicine. The Adolescent Medicine Clinic serves teens and young adults from ages 12-26 years and includes services such as annual medical exams, sports physicals, reproductive health care, screening for drug and alcohol problems, diagnosis of eating disorders, identifying mental health disorders, management of teen obesity, and other common adolescent conditions such as acne, asthma, and allergies.
Dr. Stager’s research interests include safety and efficacy trials for teen vaccines such as the HPV vaccine; type 2 diabetes; DepoProvera contraception, and the effect of text messaging on improving vaccination rates. Dr. Stager has held leadership positions both regionally and nationally. Currently she is the Chair of the Section on Adolescent Health at the American Academy of Pediatrics and is active with the communications committee of the International Association of Adolescent Health. Dr. Stager serves as an official spokesperson for the American Academy Pediatrics.