AIBU to want to wear a mask again in my classroom

To answer your question, I think that as a society, we are still collectively recovering from what for many has been an intensely difficult and sometimes traumatic period - covid and lockdowns. I'm not saying it's necessarily rational, but I think everyone has their own reasons for this being an emotive topic.

Which is also why people seem to be attacking each other in a slightly out of proportion way on this thread, I expect.

I'm really sorry to hear about your experiences, that's awful.

Wear it if you want to, it's your choice.
I'd personally like masks to be bought back and made madatory on public transport as it would significantly reduce the spread of viruses on trains/buses especially in the winter when there is a lack of ventilation on them....
But that won't be happening anytime soon so oh well🙃

YABU because you don’t “need” to wear a mask as you state. It’s a personal preference. And as you’ve already had Covid once during this pregnancy and the baby was unaffected why on earth do you now think you “need” to wear a mask? It’s your preference to wear one and it’s the pupils and parents preference to see your face and not to have their anxieties sparked by your clinging to this Covid relic. Who’s mental state do you think is the most important in this scenario? Your worries are understandable given your history but I don’t think you should be letting them control you. You should be modelling sensible evidence led practice as a teacher surely? I wouldn’t be thrilled with you teaching my child.

@Luio ”I say this as someone who can’t help but feel slightly angry when I see someone in a mask”

Why on earth does the sight of someone wearing a mask make you angry? It has zero impact on you…

I am immunocompromised, so wear a mask when on public transport, in shops etc. I have been yelled at, spat at, and on the train home from a visit to say goodbye to a friend having end of life care in a hospice a man decided that my sitting on a train wearing a mask was a reason to physically attack me. It was terrifying. I was very lucky that two other men intervened and pulled the first man off me. His explanation? My mask “made him angry”.

Why is the sight of someone wearing a medical device, that has nothing to do with you, and has no impact on you, a source of anger?

My sons teacher still wears a mask sometimes - she has an immune condition. No one bats an eyelid, I don't understand why anyone would have an issue.

It so happens that I have a very detailed knowledge of the impact of a compromised immune system on both the efficacy of vaccines and the impact of coming into contact with viruses such as COVID and influenza. And of the impact that such viruses have on various underlying conditions. And the efficacy of the various different types of face mask.

What medical knowledge do you have?

I think a lot of people have simply misunderstood the hygiene theory about healthy exposure to environmental bacteria. There was an Olympic athlete who was hoping to strengthen himself for e-coli in the Seine during the triathlon by not washing his hands after going to the loo (!). That's the level of health misinformation we have reached. Now people here telling a pregnant woman she needs to catch viral illnesses while pregnant to help her baby. We're all just Donald Trump talking about drinking bleach now.

There are about 400 trillion viruses living in your body right now. That's not a joke figure. Regardless of how you behave you will be full of them and exposed just by virtue of living, but they are not all equal. Trying to avoid a potentially deadly or disabling virus like Covid by using respiratory protection doesn't mean you are living in a bubble. Also, if having Covid again and again works as protection against having Covid, why is everyone so ill all the time? I've never seen so much "summer illness" around like in the last few years.

@Luio ”I say this as someone who can’t help but feel slightly angry when I see someone in a mask”

Why on earth does the sight of someone wearing a mask make you angry? It has zero impact on you…

I am immunocompromised, so wear a mask when on public transport, in shops etc. I have been yelled at, spat at, and on the train home from a visit to say goodbye to a friend having end of life care in a hospice a man decided that my sitting on a train wearing a mask was a reason to physically attack me. It was terrifying. I was very lucky that two other men intervened and pulled the first man off me. His explanation? My mask “made him angry”.

Why is the sight of someone wearing a medical device, that has nothing to do with you, and has no impact on you, a source of anger?

This parent is probably an anti-masker / anti-vaxxer so just try and ignore them. Seems many on this thread… The school is supportive so stick to your guns. Can you report the parent for harassment if they continue? Your headteacher needs to be protecting you. If it carries on can you get signed off sick by your GP due to the anxiety of it and your condition?

@doce please enlighten us with your medical qualifications because all you are doing is telling everyone else they are ignorant and just being insulting in general.
You sound like a really pleasant person.

Mumsnet was taken over by anti-vaxers. Ignore them. You are doing nothing wrong. Good masks are protective for the wearer and the complainant has no right to any medical information. If possible the school should move the child to another class so you dont have continued harassment from an idiot.

@doce you don't have to be an immunologist to have common sense and the ability to read:

After a person acquires a virus, the immune system retains a memory of it.

www.healthline.com/health-news/how-long-does-immunity-last-after-covid-19-what-we-know#Hownatural-immunity-works-after-COVID-19-develops

Even in the height of Covid we didn’t wear masks to teach in; it’s just not feasible.

She was being helpful, concerned - your response to her was what can be labelled as a the scurge.

Who’s mental state do you think is the most important in this scenario?

That this is being asked shows why so many teachers are leaving the profession.

Loving the way you feel you have some knowledge of this person’s medical condition and the impact of underlying conditions, coupled with immunosuppression.

Anonymous keyboard warriors with no knowledge telling others what to do are the scourge of society.