To not expect my children to wear masks?

[moita]

Upset MIL yesterday (by phone). She offered to make my 4 year old and 2 year old masks. I said there's no where they'd wear them let alone safely.

MIL is now upset and thinks I'm being irresponsible.

Are children really expected to wear them?

Even if they did work, these mask types are also only for the protection of other people.

Well, that's the point of them, isn't it.
If everyone wore them everyone would be protecting the others. You can't argue with the numbers shown in some other countries where masks are used on top of social distancing and lockdown

I don't think it's sensible for children to be wearing them as they won't do safely, but I would have just said 'oh that's lovely if you' and let her crack on with it! You didn't need to use them, but she would have felt like she was helping to keep them safe

I’m very sceptical about masks however I’d have done this ^^ for a quiet life.

No never for small children. Fore everyone else if you are on public transport or unable to socially distance. Just explain nicely to mum you reasoning with tact, her offer was kind

I think you were just a bit unkind and should apologise

If you wore them you would not be protecting others - you would be lulled into thinking you were and get closer to others than you otherwise might. Thjs you can argue masks kill actually. Thank goodness we are not required to wear them by law in the UK.

Yeah. Because the way UK is dealing with this has been so successful

Xenia got any stats for that?

Cant you just let her make them, it probably makes her feel she is doing something to help.
They dont have to wear them..

In the government document for England they say they are not to be used for under 2. For the 2 year old no I wouldn’t

For your older child if for example you were a single parents and had to go to the supermarket With the child as you’d no babysitter. I’d try and make him wear one

However as you are married I can’t really see where inside you’d be taking a child right now as presumably 1 adult goes shop without dc. Obviously if your attending hospital appointment etc, I’d try and get him to wear one.

Outside I don’t see why you would and children aren’t though to spread this well anyway.

Masks are generally about protecting others, from you.

I don't understand why Brits must be so against anything and everything.
Dead per 1mil population
UK- 513
Cze - 28
Fr - 433
Svk - 5
Austria - 70
Belgium - 786
Now tell me. Which countries had compulsory masks early on? In some other countries the really low numbers were achieved by uber strict lockdown. We have neither here. And look at where it got us.

I'm an adult and I have trouble wearing a mask. I get so breathless. I would wear one if necessary of course, but I wouldn't dream of making young children wear them.

No they’re not

I find it very difficult to wear a mask for a few reasons. My ds (age 12) who has autism, sensory issues and asthma loves wearing a mask which I find very surprising. I am still struggling to decide when/if we should wear them because very few people are wearing them.

DD’s school has said specifically no masks so I won’t be making dd wear one

Thjs you can argue masks kill actually.

Well, you could argue the sky is yellow too...

I’m in Hong Kong - everyone wears a mask here, including young children. It’s not pleasant (particularly in the HK heat - 30C today) but if HK kids can do it, I don’t see why kids in the UK can’t.

I’m assuming DC who are NT, no sensory issues before I get jumped on!

Young children are likely to touch the mask whilst wearing it, they are unlikely to remove it appropriately, both of these things increase the risk of them transmitting the virus when wearing a mask.

So I'd say it depends on the child, my just turned 4 year old wouldn't stand a chance.

OP - Mumsnet advertising algorithm thinks YABU!!

Of course small children shouldn't wear masks.

Why does she think you're being irresponsible? Does she not realise that the wearing of masks is to protect other people, not the wearer?

Does your MIL wear a mask all the time when she's out?

As an asthmatic I won't be wearing one (it is advised by asthma uk)

FFS. It is not advised by Asthma UK that asthmatics don't wear masks. What they actually say is if you struggle to breathe using one or just generally find it restrictive, you don't need to wear one as people with respiratory conditions are exempt from wearing one on public transport etc.

I wear one for my job in a nursing home, 12hrs a day in masks and they are horrible. They are claustrophobic, hot, sweaty and make me feel very nauseous. I wouldn't want my kids 15 and 12 to have to wear them. Obviously they would if the had to but I wouldn't want them to, knowing how they make us feel when we wear them. I think it's better just to keep them away from other people.

Agree with others though, let her make them and your kids can play with them.

Thanks everyone. We don't take them to shops only for walks where there's no one around so really they aren't going to be a danger to people

In certain US states it’s illegal for anyone ages two or over not to wear a mask. I am sure they are not trying to kill off their young children.

Nah, their glorious leader prefers a more direct method.

I have bought DS2 one of those fisherman style hats with a plastic covering for the face, just in case they make a rule as there is no chance in hell he would wear a mask as he has severe learning difficulties. Probably a complete waste of money but it’s there if I need it.