Should kids wear facemasks in school to reduce second wave and more school closures?

[947EliseChalotte]

Should kids wear masks in school in September when there are 30 in a class to reduce chances of second wave and avoid school shut down again?

For older children perhaps, who know how to use it and take it on and off hygienically, otherwise it could be counter productive. They would also need a clean one each day though.

I just dont think it would be the same with masks on

We are in the middle of a pandemic, of course it won’t be the same.

If people want schools to open and remain open, we need to find ways to mitigate the risks, not just keep everything normal.

Secondary I think would be fine In theory for lecture style learning but wouldn’t be great for interactive learning or encouraging participation. I wouldn’t like it for primary as I have no idea how you would get children to learn to speak and listen at that age. Also they’d misuse them, chew them etc. Just look at how many children basically suck their sleeves all day.

There is going to be a shocking rise in disorders of the immune system as a result of this pandemic.
Children shouldn’t be living in sterile environments. They need to be exposed to things.
So for the entirety that humankind has existed we’ve lived alongside bacteria and viruses and our immune systems have evolved to fight off the majority of these but now we want every thing clean clean clean and are scared of other people.
Huge mistake.

@Doyoumind you need a clean one at least every 3 hours otherwise there’s no point wearing one

I view it the same as vaccinations. The majority have them to protect the vulnerable who can't. My children are happy wearing masks, and would at school as distancing can't be maintained.

I have a pulse oximetry machine at home as ds2 is asthmatic. The mask makes no difference to him.

We are in the middle of a pandemic, the opening of the country is based on the economy not science. We have to mitigate the risks where we can.

I would prefer my children (secondary school) to wear them

2847381User but this isn't just about your daughter and what won't be the same for her with a mask on!! im fully aware of the pandemic and the risk to everyone

If the government deemed it mandentory then she would have to wear a mask but whilst its just a question on the internet and how I personally feel then no id rathar her not have one whilst shes in school.

I put YABU but I think it would be ok for secondary.

However I dislike the rush to constantly put or keep restrictions on children, whose mental health should have been a much higher priority all along.

They don’t vote, and therefore don’t vote Tory, so the government doesn’t really give a shit.

you need a clean one at least every 3 hours otherwise there’s no point wearing one
This sounds like an issue

I’d go for visors for teachers first.

Not for primary not sure re secondary students though

Although I know Germany and France do

No, there is not even the single tiniest part of me that would support this.

I definitely think secondary pupils should be wearing masks. The evidence seems to be pretty clearly saying enclosed, poorly ventilated spaces are the highest risk. So having 32 kids packed in like sardines for an hour at a time in a poorly/if any ventilated room surely is a no-brained?

What larks at Secondary school. Make up, chatting behind them, chewing gum. Pulling them down. Back chat without being able to work out who did it.......
Tbf the whole thing is a fucking shambles.

I think primary should wear masks when not in their class "bubble" so when inside at after school t for example. Teachers should wear them whenever possible ie a.visor only for teaching phonics maybe.
Secondary - everyone who can wear one should wear one, as teenagers don't socially distance out of school (in general) as well as small children who are more reliant (in general) on their parents to facilitate socialising. Teenagers will also have while year group "bubbles" which is a complete nonsense, and spread it at the same rate as adults.

There are two things I’d do and then crack on with education. Let teachers wear a visor if they want to and use that discretionary catch up money for extra cleaning.

I think they should be worn by secondary-aged children, and the teachers should have visors.

And my guess is that facemasks are going to be necessary until at least next spring.

Definitely not

No need and no benefit

Many drawbacks, bearing in mind they are only ever effective if they are proper ppe masks and are work correctly without gaps, with no touching and changed regularly.

Adults don't wear them properly when they are in a supermarket for half an hour or so, why would any student.

No

Couldn't vote since wasn't clear what YABU vote was for - are you for or against this? @947EliseChalotte

IAintentDead

Facemasks stop the majority of droplets being expelled into the space in front of you. Even disposable ones and fabric ones. Dentists wore them on a day-to-day basis to protect their patients even pre Covid 19.

I noticed secondary pupils and France are wearing them, and in larger groups than 30, 240? I'm not sure. For primary children no.

First instinct is that this would be absolutely horrible for children, and no-one knows what long term impacts this would have on their social development.

School is 6 hours a day, 5 days a week. It’s completely different to asking people to pop on a mask for 5 minutes inside a shop.

That said, if there is a second peak and there was evidence this would bring the numbers under control quicker, they might have to perhaps just do it for a short sharp period.

I also think perhaps a greater proportion of people should be advised to shield if there starts to be another peak.

It’s a lot to ask from children*, to allow their grandparents to be able to get out and about.

*Not just the masks alone, but that plus the school closures and social isolation already incurred, plus the financial costs of the lockdown that their generation will have to pay for.

Possibly high school. Definitely not primary. I think children have sacrificed enough now. If the elderly and vulnerable wish to avoid getting it then they should take precautions for themselves. Avoid grandchildren etc if they have to. They can’t have it both ways forever. I really can’t see how it is ok for households to mix whilst children are still not allowed an education. The education needs to come first now. The burden for stopping the spread can’t be put on school children any longer.

Ugh no. Its hot and uncomfortable under a mask after half an hour or so. All days is really too much and going to impair their ability to concentrate

No, absolutely not. I'm tired of children's well-being being treated as acceptable collateral damage in all this.