It has been over a year since the world saw the first confirmed case of Covid-19, yet the science behind the virus’ seemingly limited physical impact on children remains unclear. As South Africa sees a decline in a second wave of infections, schools are set to reopen next week, again leaving many parents, caregivers and children with questions. Are children less infectious than adults? “We actually do not know if children are less infectious,” says Dr Heather Jaspan, a specialist in paediatric immunology at the University of Cape Town. “They have generally much more virus (higher viral loads) in their nasopharynx [upper part of the throat behind the nose], but whether they are able to transmit more or less is not known.”