AIBU to want to wear a mask again in my classroom

I have only ever found cover teachers for a practical lesson worth having if you can get a specialist in. Otherwise a standard cover teacher just isn't good enough.

There is no way I’d go back to teaching now without being able to mask. Especially with the new attendance stuff which means kids are sent to school sick (more than they used to be).
Getting infections after infections doesn’t build up the immune system (I think this is the biggest fallacy to come out of the pandemic - the absolutely awful understanding of health - it’s almost like adding “illness is health” into “1984”.)
Stick to your guns and do what you feel is correct. Because you are the only one who has to live with the consequences. School will just replace you. Kid will get another teacher. Your life and health is more important.

Surely you wouldn’t have expected someone who is pregnant and vulnerable to not wear a mask though just because you have ADHD?

Well I couldn't breathe with one on when I was pregnant. I couldn't bear them. And yes you can build your immune system thats exactly what we do gradually from birth is slowly build on our immune system.
Sheesh ffs don't patronise me

wearing FPP3 masks was accepted as a reasonable adjustments by my school

Case closed then. The school have agreed it is a reasonable adjustment, they should now be making it clear to the complaining parent that the situation will remain as it is, and they need to do this without divulging any of your personal information (unless you agree to it).

If I was a member of the SLT I would probably politely explain to the parent that further complaints will not be entertained or responded to in any way.

I kind of agree, but isn't there a consideration that OP's mask wearing is itself a type of anxiety, and her asking for understanding is asking for accommodation?

Maybe we all need to cut each other a bit more slack.

I think you should be able to wear a mask, OP, although this can be difficult for pupils for various reasons, I can also understand this is stressful for you.

Wishing you well with your pregnancy, and I hope you can find a way through the school situation.

There is no lack of oxygen with a mask. You can test it yourself with pulse oximetry.
You do not build an immune system by constantly attacking it - it’s not a muscle. Sheesh. Public health messaging has been so poor 🤦🏽‍♀️

Well that’s all rubbish. Of course they work. They don’t work when they are not worn or worn properly (which is what the research says) - but that’s blummin obvious right?!

I'm sorry for your previous infertility issues and congratulations on your pregnancy.
Personally I feel the lack of oxygen the mask causes is a higher danger. I was pregnant at the height of the original covid pandemic and didn't wear a mask apart from at NHS appointments out of solidarity for the staff. Didn't wear them in supermarkets or anywhere else. Couldn't breathe with them on.
To be honest I was out every day walking the dog that was the best thing for my immune system. I didn't get any of the jabs either.
My friends who were obsessed with masks and got vaxxed all are now constantly ill and so are their kids whereas me and my 2 boys have a robust immune system.

Well said @JustAVeryWeirdWoman . It always boils down to videos they’ve seen on YouTube 🙄. Likewise, as a family we’ve continued to mask and take other precautions (ventilation; HEPA when one child was ill) and apart from one child once (and we know exactly how he got ill 🤬) we’ve been illness-free. We even work in extremely high-risk Covid settings! But nobody wants to connect the dots. All we get told is how “lucky” we are, while colleagues are permanently off sick and classmates miss weeks of school 😢. But anyway, that’s a thread for another day…

If you are that scared of catching something that you need to wear a mask, then you shouldn't leave your bedroom.

Facial expressions are essential for children and I'm not sure how you can teach mumbling behind a mask.

My last 2 years of school were during the pandemic. I have ADHD and find it hard enough to focus normally. I found my teachers wearing masks incredibly distracting - my ADHD means I struggle with processing information and rely on facial expressions, following lips etc and the mask is a barrier to that. You also really couldn’t hear properly what they were saying.

I think you should be free to wear the mask, even though I believe it is a pointless exercise (with regard to what you are trying to achieve).

Just wear the mask and protect yourself. Your superior will tell you if they deem the mask to be innapropriate.

To the OP: I wear a FFP mask pretty much everywhere in public, and I haven't had as much as a sniffle in 5 years. Don't be intimidated by what people say at your workplace. Currently the UK is desperate for teachers, who are leaving the profession in droves. Good luck to your school or the parents there finding a replacement for you if they don't agree with your health practices! They're only making any noise because you're willing to listen to them. Ignore them.

To other posters here: stop spreading misinformation about masks. They work! Read some studies, or literally anything else than the Daily Mail. Your animosity towards masks is a different topic and not scientifically grounded in fact.

@Beautiful3

no, her and her health trump her job.
this teenager doesn’t have an issue hearing op or read her expressions , op has clarified this.

The lack of oxygen, increased CO2 you’ll be getting and increase in bacteria you’re breathing in wearing a damp, germ-ridden mask all day, is far more harmful for yourself and your growing baby than not wearing one.

If you’re wearing a basic blue one, they don’t stop anything - they were a propaganda tool of the government to create fear. You would need a properly fitted air filtration system to stop what you’re worrying about and that’ll defo scare the kiddos!

Ask any theatre surgeon why they wear surgical masks and it’s not to stop viral transmission - it’s to stop body fluid splashes from the patient to surgeon and surgeon to patient.

Do some research into the harms of wearing masks.
Open the classroom windows and try to stop feeling anxious - anxiety creates cortisol and that (long term) can be detrimental to your heart health.

Yes of course you should wear a mask, and under your circumstances I would be tempted to go sick until my inoculations were up to date, and you were further into your pregnancy, it must be so worrying.
And no no explanation needed other than you are currently vulnerable they don’t need to know why.

I think the school need to deal with the parent very firmly. This is bordering on harassment at a time when you are feeling very vulnerable. You are choosing to wear a mask for a medical condition as approved by your doctor. The parent does not need any details at all around this. They need to take it on trust from the school that in the short term you will be wearing a mask in all classroom situations end of story. If the child has a special need, then they need to be talking to the Senco, or wellbeing or whoever is relevant to address their own issue, not try and change your behaviour to meet their needs. If you belong to a union maybe they can support you in this. I hope the school has your back. Congratulations on your pregnancy!

Exactly @Carouselfish !!

Not to mention all the parents insisting that schools have no protections for teachers and children, then moaning when teachers are off sick 🙄

There for the children but not at the risk of her health or that of her unborn baby.

Of course she should wear a mask if that's the advice. If parents don't like it that's tough but not up to them to dictate.

And medics are there for the patients but somehow they are still OK to wear hazmat suits if treating someone with Ebola or glover for invasive procedures if treating someone with Aids.
The child in question does not have hearing problems.

The irony of talking about “basic science class” then advising she uses hand-sanitiser and wipes down surfaces. Covid is an airborne virus. It effectively spreads like invisible smoke and is beaten by good ventilation and decent masks. While washing hands/sanitising regularly is good for a number of other health reasons, it will do extremely little to protect against Covid and other airborne viruses.