New Year’s greetings!

It is hard to believe that 2021 has arrived. I am sure we all are happy to bid 2020 farewell and are looking forward to a much more “normal” year in 2021.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge across the country and stay at home orders, travel bans, and other restrictions remain in place, the Emergency Use Authorization of 2 COVID-19 vaccines brings a most welcomed glimmer of hope to obtaining some control over this pandemic. The start of large COVID-19 vaccine trials in children are planned for these next several months, with the hope of vaccine availability for children by the 4th quarter of 2021. This month’s issue has several “must read” articles:

• This issue’s cover story: The state of the union on COVID-19, which provides a comprehensive review of different aspects of COVID-19 in the pediatric population.
• The pandemic has fostered the exponential growth of social media outlets and the creation of many social media challenges, some of which present significant danger to a person’s health and well-being. The pediatric pharmacology article in this issue addresses the “Benadryl challenge” that is trending on TikTok and discusses the dangers of and treatment for this challenge.
• The pandemic has created nutritional challenges for persons of all ages. The nutrition article looks at the nutritional needs of children during the winter months and the importance of adequate vitamin D.

Best wishes for a peaceful, healthy, and happy New Year. As Oprah Winfrey states “Cheers to a New Year and another chance to get it right”. Please stay safe and well. And as always, I welcome your suggestions, comments, and questions.

With warmest regards,

Tina

Tina Q Tan., FAAP, FIDSA, FPIDS

Editor-in-Chief