we have young children all the way down to three months of age in the hospital without any preexisting condition. >> reporter: the surge is cloing schools across new jersey. >> our staff members are not well enough to even teach virtually. >> reporter: do you feel people here are doing enough in this city to protect themselves? >> right now, i have grave concern that people aren't doing enough. >> reporter: kansas city mayor quinton lucas says the battle is over misinformation. it's also personal. his nine-month-old son was infected and recovered, and so did he. >> i know that i was lucky, and part of the reason was because i'm vaccinated and boosted. it was one night of some symptoms but nothing that was nearly as tragic as people being intubated, people dying. >> r reporter: and some children may soon have easier access to vaccines. a bill introduced this week in california would allow kids 12 and older to get vaccinated without their parents'