Recently actor Will Smith conducted a video interview with Dr. Anthony Fauci, our nation’s leading expert on the White House Coronavirus Task Force and director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, in which Dr. Fauci answered several questions from children and teenagers. Dr. Fauci explained what COVID-19 stands for, what coronaviruses are, and what makes this one different and dangerous. He answered 7-year-old Ava’s questions about whether the tooth fairy can still visit (yes!) and whether the tooth fairy could catch the virus from people (no!). Another girl asked if she and her brother can still go outside for walks (yes, but stay six feet away from other people). Eventually 16-year-old Jaelynn asked a question many of us have: “Is this ever going to end, or is this something we’re going to have to be doing for a good portion of our lives?"

For the answer to Jaelynn’s question and more, read the full column from Marian Wright Edelman.

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