And why wouldn't they just use children to pass on messages to get out of Dodge?
"Jimmy, sweetie can you please bring these bags of pita bread over to your Aunt? Tell her that these were made with all my love and to enjoy each and every one." There goes little Jimmy delivering a message and there goes Uncle Ben to the bus stop on his way to work via his Uncle Tommy in Jordan.
"And why wouldn't they just use children to pass on messages to get out of Dodge?"
And they keep an eye on the kids, too. We did this all the time in 'Nam. Worked far more often than not. About the only countermeasure Charlie had for an announced sweep was to try and preempt with a serious attack. And that accomplished the goal of the sweep, too.