Head recommending wearing masks in school

[rainyinscotland]

So DC has been back at school full time for a bit (Scotland). Secondary school. All pupils in and no masks. The Headteacher has now written to parents that it's not possible to socially distance, so he/she is recommending that pupils and teachers wear masks. Recommending, not requiring.

YABU - the Head was wrong to do that.
YANBU - the Head was right to do that.

I don't really think there is a right answer to that question, it's very much a judgement call.

It may be that having seen how things are functioning, it became clear to the head that social distancing isn't going to work, so he or she felt they needed to let parents know this. It's a reasonable position I think many parents would agree with. At the same time it puts them in a difficult position.

Generally I am not pro-masks at all times in school, even for older kids. If you are wearing a cloth mask for long, especially if you are talking, they quickly become disgusting and damp. A compromise might be saying they have to keep them on when up, but can take them off while sitting at a desk, reminding them to face forward. But that has downsides too, it means they are touching them a lot, and will spread things by their hands. Maybe that would happen anyway though.

In fact I'm inclined to say that schools can't be made "safe" in the way people seem to want, any more than certain jobs can be. The options really are accept that there will be some spread there, or keep kids home, which means making it possible for parents to care for them. I doubt either scenario is going to be acceptable to many people.

Are they providing masks?

Nicola Sturgeon said masks for pupils in schools were a possibility. Big meeting today to discuss.

However, they will have to provide disposable ones every day for every child. Expensive.

Otherwise, pupils will forget or not be able to afford them.

No, the school isn't providing masks.

There's a school in Milton Keynes (England) that is requiring masks for all over 5s from September.

The Head would be reasonable to allow people to wear masks if they want but I think recommending it is unreasonable considering how many masks kids would need every day and bullying that could occur as a result of wearing/not wearing a mask.

I suspect that teachers would rather not have masks used as a distraction in class. I can imagine people openly chewing gum while wearing one which is a hassle I'm sure that teachers would rather not have.

@netflixismysidehustle

I suspect that teachers would rather not have masks used as a distraction in class. I can imagine people openly chewing gum while wearing one which is a hassle I'm sure that teachers would rather not have.

As a teacher, I would rather the 30 people facing me in my classroom were wearing masks.

Our schools are requiring masks when or if they return to school. We started last week virtual and they are predicted to go back to school 2 days a week after Sept 7They are providing 5 masks for each student. My children aren't going back into a school until late January. More than likely not even then

@netflixismysidehustle

I suspect that teachers would rather not have masks used as a distraction in class. I can imagine people openly chewing gum while wearing one which is a hassle I'm sure that teachers would rather not have.

I would imagine the teachers would prefer some health protection.

Which country are you in, Leaannb?

If Head says wear a mask then send your child in with a mask.

If most children go to school on a bus won’t they need a mask anyway?

@1Morewineplease

If Head says wear a mask then send your child in with a mask.

I agree with this. I would pay attention to what they're saying and send a mask.

My child's secondary school has sent out a letter which says masks are not permitted in school, but should be worn on school transport, which I think is in line with government policy. It is generally a sensible school which will follow the actual general guidelines rather than do its own thing, however this in England.

I think schools should require masks whenever 2 meter distancing can’t be maintained. So at most schools, that means all the time. Masks are awful, just awful, but they should be required at school for students and staff.

I would imagine the head is trying to put mechanisms in place to try to keep the school open as long as possible and avoid any class/school closures.

Why this isn’t in the school guidance, I have no idea. Hopefully it will be next week.

I think Secondary schools in France are going back with masks

I think it will be very necessary very soon.

I wonder if it will be introduced first in areas of England with high rates of the virus

I suspect that teachers would rather not have masks used as a distraction in class. I can imagine people openly chewing gum while wearing one which is a hassle I'm sure that teachers would rather not have

Oooh, I hadn't thought of that - I could chew gum while I teach!

Is there any evidence that it is safe for children and young people to wear a mask for hours a day? They will be breathing in more carbon dioxide than if they weren't wearing a mask. I believe oxygen levels aren't that affected, if at all, but I haven't heard anything about carbon dioxide levels. There is no way I would allow my children to be experimented on in this way.

I'm making my dc a mountain of masks each as I'm expecting them to need them at school in Sept (both secondary age). Although I wouldn't be surprised if ds2s school said they were only allowed plain ones.
I'm lucky in the sense that I have a sewing machine and access to lots of fabric (I've been using cotton scraps from my Grandma's sewing box). Plus i can sew.

Other countries have had children wearing masks for some time in school

Waiting for the official statement but looks likely that all kids over the age of 6 will be required to wear masks when Italian schools go back in a few weeks. Not major issue.

I’m teaching in a secondary school and even though all of the guidelines have been implemented, I think it is only a matter of time before we have a spike of infections with the current measures. Classrooms are too small to enable any distancing for pupils and whilst staff have to distance from them, the practicalities make it quite challenging. I can understand why pupils would not want to wear a mask in class- it’s far from ideal. However what is really clear is that there is mixed messaging going on for what is expected in school and what is expected of them in the community. They feel like if they don’t need a mask or to distance in school then why should they outside of school? Why is it okay to sit with a group of 29 other young people without distancing or masks, but then they are supposed to stay 2 metres away from the same friends outside?
It is also clear that people have no appetite for blended learning or closures - but if infections keep rising that’s a possibility, so I think masks will become recommended to try and mitigate that.

It's a difficult one. I can see the Head's point but can't imagine how anyone manages to wear a mask for hours on end, they are so hot and uncomfortable.