AIBU in agreeing with the NASUWT that masks should be worn in schools by over 11s?

[DomDoesWotHeWants]

www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/28/unions-call-for-teachers-in-england-to-be-able-to-wear-face-masks

Given that they have to be worn almost everywhere else indoors by over 11s it would be the right thing to do. Adults working in schools have as much right to be protected as bus drivers and shop workers.

So AIBU in agreeing with the NASUWT that masks should be worn in schools by over 11s?

@runbummyrun

The Chinese wore masks before Covid 19. Did that not fucking work or what?!

Well they haven't had over 50k deaths like we have, so I'm going with 'yes'

@DomDoesWotHeWants

It's depressing how little some parents care for the safety of teachers and vulnerable children.

I know, awful isn’t it. I don’t imagine they have the same working conditions of a cramped room of 30 with no PPE or distancing whatsoever. Workplaces have to be Covid secure so schools deserve the same. If anything, it should be increased as germs have always spread very easily in schools.

It not just the school issue, it’s lots of things. Ignoring social distancing, refusing to wear a mask, not following the guidelines etc mean those vulnerable or following the guidelines to the letter can be affected by the actions of others.

I think the general public believe schools are ‘safe’ as why would the government send pupils back if they weren’t? Lots of guidance published, lots of rhetoric about ‘bubbles’ etc.

My non-teaching friends think I’m exaggerating the concerns. We’re all 40s. When I think back to my high schools day I don’t remember the day to day being in the class or movement around the school so I think when we emphasise then over crowding it falls on deaf ears as I don’t think people actually comprehend how squeezed in we are all together.

Selected parts of the guidance are always quoted but it is ‘where possible’ ie not. We want to educate your children. I want my children educated. I’ve taught for 20 years, it’s all I have ever wanted to do. Why can’t people see that by protecting ourselves and our schools, we are protecting their education? No teachers = no school education.

I think the general public believe schools are ‘safe’ as why would the government send pupils back if they weren’t?

At the same time as newspaper front pages detail how the same government threw care home residents and staff to the wolves with some frankly insane decision-making.

Shop workers do not have to wear them so I don't see why children should be forced into them.

Because teachers are in shorter supply and less easily replaced when sick than shop workers?

I think it would be horrible to try to sit all day and concentrate in a mask. Plus you are losing a large proportion of communication cues with others. I dislike wearing them and find them distracting and hot but will tolerate it for short periods such as shopping - which is also my choice - but I would hate to spend most of my working day in one.

@noblegiraffe

I think the general public believe schools are ‘safe’ as why would the government send pupils back if they weren’t?

At the same time as newspaper front pages detail how the same government threw care home residents and staff to the wolves with some frankly insane decision-making.

True but I also think if news doesn’t ‘touch’ the individual on a personal level then its not really acknowledged.

My mum is in a nursing home as she requires 24/7 care. That has added to be anxiety. I haven’t even spoken to her since the last time I saw her before lockdown. Not one of my friends has asked me how she is despite knowing care homes are a hotspot. People are too wrapped up in the problems of their own lives to focus, rightly or wrongly, and that’s why I think (although I’ll keep fighting for my right to a safe environment) but a lot will change with school guidance until there are significant problems.

It isn't mandatory for covid positive patients in hospitals to wear face masks. It would be slightly disproportionate to make it mandatory for children in schools without covid to wear them.

*not a lot will change

So many typos in that last post sorry!

@askmehowiknow

It isn't mandatory for covid positive patients in hospitals to wear face masks. It would be slightly disproportionate to make it mandatory for children in schools without covid to wear them.

In the last four weeks, there have been more than three times the number of outbreaks of Covid-19 in educational settings than in hospitals.

I think the general public believe schools are ‘safe’ as why would the government send pupils back if they weren’t?

Two words: The economy.

The Government are telling us all that schools ‘are safe’ because the economy needs them to re-open.

It isn't mandatory for covid positive patients in hospitals to wear face masks

Possibly because one of the features of COVID is extreme difficulty in breathing?

@noblegiraffe

It isn't mandatory for covid positive patients in hospitals to wear face masks

Possibly because one of the features of COVID is extreme difficulty in breathing?

Often not at all no

Do you understand what mandatory means, ask?

Think about why it might not be mandatory for a patient with a severe respiratory illness to wear a mask.

Bloody hell.

Just to mention that the press does look to MN for opinions etc

The Times here, in May..

"...a survey by Mumsnet found that only one parent in five thinks schools should reopen now. Less than half would send their child back immediately"

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/coronavirus-head-teachers-fear-ghost-schools-as-parents-keep-children-at-home-7kxgm36gx

Also that there is a poster on MN presently posting doom laden posts and then asking about masks...thought to possibly be from a union... who knows who this poster is...

It isn't mandatory any patient to wear one. Covid patients often present with no breathlessness at all. Falls fever etc.

‘People who are ill enough to be in hospital don’t have to wear a mask therefore a perfectly healthy teenager shouldn’t be asked to either’ is a particularly dim take.

I think it’s less important for primary pupils to wear masks because schools are small and they have one teacher, so the teacher can be in a “bubble” with a small number of kids. Secondary pupils need to wear masks because schools are bigger and they have multiple teachers, so bubbles are impossible because one teacher has contact with hundreds of pupils every week. Also they’re old enough to transmit Covid like adults and understand the necessity of masks.

I’m now an ex-teacher because I’m not willing to be in contact with over 100 pupils a day in small poorly ventilated rooms with non opening windows and insufficient room to social distance. I know for a fact that parents purposely send sick kids to school to be babysat because they need to go to work. And I’m not willing to spend my breaks cleaning (and come in early and leave late in order to clean before and after) for no extra salary.

Yes I needed the money and quitting teaching has fucked up my life. But being dead would fuck it up more.

Shop workers are often behind screens or can keep their distance from most customers.
Secondary kids need masks.

It isn't mandatory for covid positive patients in hospitals to wear face masks

Those hooked up to a ventilator certainly are...

Recent studies have shown that children aged 10 and up transmit the virus at the same rate that adults do. That means that, for those in the last year of primary school and all of secondary, it's like you being in a 8m by 6m room with 30 other adults for 6-7 hours of the day. That isn't happening without adequate protections so the don't school children and staff deserve to be protected?

That isn't happening without adequate protections
It is though. That’s why I’ve quit teaching. I’m not willing to risk my life.

I think it’s less important for primary pupils to wear masks because schools are small and they have one teacher, so the teacher can be in a “bubble” with a small number of kids

Those 30 children may not be adhering to the guidelines due to their parents decisions, may have travelled abroad etc. The word ‘bubble’ doesn’t make it safe, it’s just for track and trace. The teacher, children with health issues and all family members will be at risk. What other workplace expects this of their staff?

@PineappleSquosh

That isn't happening without adequate protections It is though. That’s why I’ve quit teaching. I’m not willing to risk my life.

That's what I said: 30 plus adults gathering in a tiny space isn't happening anywhere without protections. But gathering children like that is, for some reason, seen as safe for everyone involved but the actual science says otherwise.