Name:   CRD - Subject:   Question for CRD Date:   9/3/2021 8:45:53 AM (updated 9/3/2021 8:53:22 AM)

For the most part, MM has highlighted the major points.  There are some studies that are now showing that the newer strains have the ability to enter nasal epithelium via the ACE2 receptor  more effectively and efficiently without the need for the accessory co-receptor NRP1, which children have less gene expression for.  It seems to all boil down to how efficiently the virus enters  the nasal epithelium in the early stages. In the earlier strains, adults with abundant NRP1 expression had the necessary mechanics to allow easy entry of the virus into cells.  Children, not so much, but the virus is now attempting to do an "end around" and infect those without the need for these important co-receptors.