AIBU to want to wear a mask again in my classroom

Thank you and to others who have pointed out that those of us with hearing loss or who are deaf really struggle with people wearing face coverings. Would imagine even pupils with good hearing will struggle at times to hear what the OP is saying. Pupils aren’t going to say anything though realistically.
My advice to the OP is it sounds like you are experiencing anxiety. This a condition many people get signed off work with and perhaps you should be reconsidering your stance on whether you are actually fit to attend work. Counselling would probably help.

I know of an incident during autumn 2021 where a policeman was told by a person who has hearing loss they couldn’t understand him and the policeman refused to take the mask off when asked! The person with hearing loss walked away as a result and then got into a bit of bother. It was all resolved in the end but what really annoyed me was the situation was avoidable had the policeman used common sense and bothered to acquaint himself with the regulations at the time, which allowed for face coverings to be removed in situations like that. I have my suspicions why the idiot didn’t oblige.

I’d hate the mask wearing and I don’t think teachers should be wearing them. But it’s your choice so if the school supports you, crack on. I don’t think it’s a big deal to tell people at 19 weeks.

I hope you start your mat leave as soon as you possibly can.

The bottom line here is if the school is happy for you to wear one, they need to shut down the complaints from this parent and say they won’t be engaging further on the matter.
Whilst it might be helpful for them (in terms of trying to make this fo away) to provide the context of pregnancy/immuno compromised to the complainant, this is your private information and you are quite within your rights to say no. That’s the conversation you need to have.

Still not sure how it's relevant to OP but apparently I'm not allowed to interact with you on a public forum.
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Why would it piss people off? I'd be more concerned about the staff member to be honest, that they had to or felt they had to wear a mask to protect themselves.

It’s not forever is it. Parent needs ti get a grip- 1 pupil in 500, ffs. Child also needs to get a grip of a mask makes them anxious- I’m not sure how they’ll cope with a hijab.

Even for health reasons?

Your other option is the covid rule of teaching from the front only and not helping!

Could you take the mask off to teach and then wear it when helping pupils?

Or why not move this pupil into a different class?

YANBU at all. I've been where you are, years of infertility, miscarriages etc and the anxiety about a pregnancy can knock you sick. If doing something to feel like you're protecting yourself and your baby helps you relax a little then go ahead.

How bloody entitled of the parent to think that her little darling not liking the mask trumps your health issues. I hope she's told to bog off.

It’s a perfectly reasonable adjustment in those circumstances. People don’t understand how at risk immunocompromised people are. Covid isn’t just a cold to them, it can be life threatening. 200 people a week in the UK are still dying from it and most of them will be vulnerable in one way or another, though not all. OP has every right to protect herself and her baby and it seems her workplace agrees.

OP, I think parent is harassing and trying to bully you with complaints every time the child is in your class and I would ask the school to address this with the parent. You do not have to disclose your health conditions to parents.

@EmberAsh it's well known that Scotland's school summer holidays are end of June to early/mid August. This has been the case for at least 80 years so it is bizarre that every summer someone comes along showing complete ignorance of this. Just to add to the education differences- Scotland also had their exam results about 2 weeks ago (other than the minority of pupils who took GCSE or A Levels). Sorry to derail your thread for a moment OP.

Rubbish: FFP33 masks stop you from catching one.

Some children would not be able to hear you...I would have been one of them. Before covid masks were never a thing and you would have not dreamt of wearing one. I think you are being unreasonable.

I thought you were going to say you taught young children when you said it made them anxious. If it was my child I would not make a big thing about it but I did struggle to hear what people were saying in masks which would be a problem in a classroom. Also you can't read expressions so kind of cut people off from you.

I think you need to keep in mind that parents will not raise this for no reason. Seeing a face is vital for communication and communication is vital for teaching. I found masks were a huge impediment to my effectiveness as a teacher three years ago.

If you are interacting closely with ill children, you will likely catch a cold from them regardless of whether you wear a mask. If they are visibly ill they shouldn’t be in school and if they have no symptoms of illness there is nothing for you to catch.

I’m not here to tell you that you shouldn’t, but I do think you need to understand why parents would consider it detrimental to their children’s learning and pointless. Presumably they will find out that you are pregnant in a month or so, but even then, they are likely to think you are being ridiculously anxious to the detriment of their children.

I have lung disease. Have you had any covid boosters? Vitamin D and C is also helpful. TBH if I ever get it, it's been around early/mid October.

My SEN child would find a teacher in a mask really difficult and may struggle to understand what you are teaching BUT if I was told it was health related I would except it as ‘one of those things’. If my child still couldn’t understand I’d politely ask if as a reasonable adjustment the school might consider moving them. This wouldn’t be a complaint, just negotiating two valid but conflicting needs. Basically YANBU and as your employer the school should now be taking over communication with parent and resolving it for you.

One out of 500? I wouldn't pay any attention and also find it hard to believe a student from high school would be worried about masks when it was normal for so long.
My DD did have to move closer to the teachers when they were wearing a mask (quite a few did and quite a few didn't) as she has limited hearing in her left ear.
I'm not sure it will protect you but if it makes you feel more comfortable and reduces the risk even slightly I'd carry on.
If the parent is so worried (doesn't sound like their kid cares) perhaps they should remove their child and home educate.

Exactly.
A life we are being sold, huh?
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No, you don’t have to share your medical details with a parent.

I don’t believe the mask will be doing much to protect you, however, if it makes you feel better and able to continue working then go for it.

I wish you all the best for this pregnancy and hope everything goes smoothly from here.

Depends what type of mask. Ffp3 will actually protect you well. Perhaps do a bit of research 1st before posting!

Then maybe you shouldn't have commented...
Happy to explain. The parents are worried about child's anxiety over something that is fairly trivial. The child was spoken to by the OP and did not appear overly concerned about the mask, yet the parent keeps pestering the school resulting in the OP's own anxiety over having to divulge personal information.
If the parents are expecting their child to never come into contact with a masked person, they better ensure the child remains totally insular and never takes a trip to a country where wearing a mask is a norm. Any reasonable parent who ventured outside of their own postcode would understand the wider implications of their actions.
As OP said multiple times, she does not want people's opinions on whether or not she should wear a mask. I am guessing the vast majority of the posters went to school when masks were not on scene and yet are still struggling with their reading comprehension. The issue is probably not the mask then, is it?
And just in case you feel tempted, it was a rhetorical question. No need for further contribution from you.

Drip feeding happens when someone doesn't give the whole picture to start with, which is essentially what OP did (intentionally or not). Nobody is forcing her to reveal anything or even post, but as she's chosen to post she does have to provide enough information for an adequate response, otherwise it's all a bit pointless. HTH

I was going to mention this. My DS has mild hearing loss and finds it very difficult when people wear masks. He isn’t the only one. Teachers wore clear shields instead for this reason.

I also thought it had been shown that they’re more to protect others than yourself - unless you have a proper fit tested one.

@Inkypot lovely response. And perfectly said. 99% of posters just missing the point of the post entirely, as usual on MN. Yours is lovely 💕