"Children and adolescents serve as 'emotional barometers' for their family and often reflect the level of stress of parents and caregivers," the AAP notes. But not all parents have succumbed to the bunker mentality. As the world retreated around them, people often socialized—sometimes quietly when the law or neighbors disapproved—with like-minded acquaintances. With many public schools closed, some families also created learning pods—rebranded as homeschooling co-ops—in which kids could learn together and mingle. Others chose private schools that offered in-person learning and contact with classmates. While there is some risk of contagion when kids mix, that has to be balanced against the danger to "emotional and behavioral health" from isolation and marinating in fear. We've seen this personally among my son's classmates at his private school, which allows families to choose remote or in-person learning. While my son physically attends classes, two of his buddies stepped away from their computer screens only once, to visit our house for an assigned film project. "Blink three times if you need me to rescue you from your basement," my son joked to one over Zoom after the brief meeting.