If your DC (12 and over) has asthma, are they wearing a mask in school?

[RhubarbGnT]

Hi,

My DD is 13 and does have asthma, but is what I would say, mild and under control. She very rarely needs her inhaler and I can't remember the last time she had a full blown attack. Maybe 8 years or so ago.

Her school have just announced that they will expect all students to be wearing face coverings everywhere outside the classroom. I assumed this would only be the case if there was a local lockdown, but this school has obviously taken the decision to have this rule in place from the start, regardless.

Initially I thought that DD doesn't need to be exempt because her asthma is mild, but actually her main trigger is dust and dander and wearing a mask for this length of time, including 30 mins there and back on the bus, will bound to mean it picks up dust throughout the day and then DD will obviously be breathing that in.

Thing is, I'm really worried she will be harassed for not wearing one. We've all heard of the horror stories recently.

Not sure whether to speak to the school or just see how she gets on first.

So, will your asthmatic DD be wearing a mask in school?

Be interesting to hear what others are doing.

TIA

Yes, his own choice.

As in, we aren't in a lockdown area and school have not asked them to.

Does it actually flare up her asthma to wear one? I have asthma which is aggravated by dust, smoke, etc. and I wear a mask everyone in public and it hasn't been an issue for me. If it isn't bothering her to wear it, say to the loo and back, or to go in and out of the classroom, I would want her to wear it. I would imagine dust is less of a risk than COVID.

Yes. If dust was a problem through the day he would take a spare (he doesn’t get public transport so no need to wear for any great length of time).
School did ask parents to get in touch if their child had any medical reason why they wouldn’t be able to wear a mask.

Exceptions are only if they actually do have issues, which most wont.

The diagnosis itself isn’t some sort of get out. Unless she really can’t manage it then yes she should wear one.

From experience within our family, masks don't affect asthma at all. Ds has it and also dust allergy, my sister and mum the same (asthma and dust), df has copd/asthma query, all wearing masks perfectly fine. This experience is consistent with advice from the BME articles in the lancet and advice from asthma UK; that people with asthma can safely wear masks.

I think your breathing would have to be quite severely compromised for it to be affected by the masks people are typically wearing which are far from medical grade PPE. I mean, the masks we all buy are just bits of fabric; there's not much to them as they're only supposed to contain large droplets etc. There's still a fairly free flow of air. All four family members (I know it seems a lot but there appears to be a genetic component with asthma) have had asthma attacks requiring immediate medical attention within the last 12 months but not a hint of anything from wearing masks.

I guess if it is a specific concern you could buy a fingertip monitor from Amazon and see how that goes while your dd is wearing a mask, but I really think you will be pleasantly surprised and relieved. Hope so, anyway.

Masks do not affect oxygen levels.

My DD has asthma and serious allergies, triggered by dust, dander and some pollens, and has been wearing a mask for 8 hour shifts in a restaurant kitchen without any issues.

She'll also be wearing it in school when she restarts - they have to wear masks whenever they are in the school.

Thanks for the replies.

My DD has so far only worn them for 5 minutes or so in shops, so she hasn't really had a proper run at it yet.

It's good to hear that those with asthma/dust allergies aren't finding it any more difficult when wearing for longer periods of time.

Genuinely put my mind at rest a little.

Make sure she stores the mask in a little bag - we use those ziplock lunch bags to keep the dust out.

Unless you’re literally putting the mask into some dust in between wears then it will not pick up dust.

There is no evidence that you can’t wear a mask if you have uncomplicated asthma. It doesn’t restrict oxygen. They will be fine :)

I’m asthmatic, work in a medical field and wear a mask all day every day and have done so for months. It’s not pleasant but you get used to it and also it is good cos you can sit and look gormless and nobody can see