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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to object to teaching students without a reason for not wearing a mask

160 replies

evenmoreforthemoor · 23/09/2020 11:55

I teach teenagers.

I have to wear a mask to protect them from me.

They don't have to wear a mask if they have a 'reason'. We are not allowed to ask them what their reason is.

I am fine with teaching learners who have a genuine reason for not wearing one. But I want to know if it is genuine or not. And yes, I think I should be able to ask why and refuse to have them in my classroom if they choose not to wear one for a reason that I believe is spurious.

What would be my legal status if I refused to teach them?

Am wondering if there are any test cases with regards to this.

OP posts:
lockeddownandcrazy · 23/09/2020 13:56

Masks should be mandatory -full stop, no fluffy excuses like a self certification of anxiety. @Madamfrog that is the way it should be here but sadly it isnt - no one is 'allowed' to challenge the non wearers or exclude them from shops etc

loulouljh · 23/09/2020 14:01

The situation in France sounds outrageous! And discrimatory and should not be allowed. Anyone with a disability and cannot wear a mask stays at home???!!! No way. It may not be people not being able to "cope". They may physically not be able to do it for various reasons. Glad we are not in France. This is 2020 not 1800.

Rosebel · 23/09/2020 14:02

And do you think people with asthma or other breathing difficulties should have to wear one? Or people with autism?
You can't just say everyone should wear one. Be serious.

loulouljh · 23/09/2020 14:04

Rosebel-exactly!! I feel like we are going backwards not forwards in protecting disabled people!!! And by that term i mean if very loosely....

Saucery · 23/09/2020 14:14

A TA might not consider it "putting themselves in danger". People have different levels of risk and vulnerability. No need for the fucking face.

Why are we pissing about with 2m distance and front facing desks then? There’s a reason that guidance is there and it isn’t down to an individual to decide it doesn’t matter. It’s not their individual risk to manage.

cologne4711 · 23/09/2020 14:29

I do think people should have to have a valid reason, and carry something that shows they are exempt.

But it's not for every tom, dick, harry, retail worker, bus driver and teacher to know what that reason is. None of your business, just as it's none of your business what disability qualifies someone to have a blue badge.

But I agree the situation is being abused and people should have a certificate or a lanyard and otherwise, get your mask or other face covering on.

cologne4711 · 23/09/2020 14:30

do you think people with asthma or other breathing difficulties should have to wear one

I don't know - wearing a mask doesn't reduce oxygen intake so maybe it doesn't actually matter if you have asthma. Ask a consultant specialising in it.

OchonAgusOchonO · 23/09/2020 14:36

@Madamfrog

I am in France. All teachers at all levels of school school and university, and all secondary school children and students must wear masks at all times on the premises. The same goes for all the admin people. All day, in class and out. If a person can't cope with wearing a mask then they get a dr's note and stay at home.
Same in Ireland. I am honestly a bit agog at the parents on various threads here insisting their little darlings couldn't cope with wearing a mask all day and that it would be tantamount to child abuse.

All classrooms with windows also have the windows open to increase ventilation. The students are allowed to wear their coats in class.

Notfeelinggreattoday · 23/09/2020 14:52

No you don't have a right to know why it could be due to trauma or something that is none of your business
I don't think someone has to tell you if they have a disability either
If you were the one who couldn't wear a mask would you be happy for all the students to know why ?

Notfeelinggreattoday · 23/09/2020 14:55

Also it is not a legal requirement in schools to wear a mask yet so legally you can't do anything
They may come in as legal requirement but for now they are not.
I think people are relying on masks to be the magical thing that stops the virus my understanding is they may help reduce transmission along with other measures

Notfeelinggreattoday · 23/09/2020 14:57

I mean france are wearing masks in schools but the cases there are high not sure what cases in schools are like but overall cases are higher than us

Frazzled13 · 23/09/2020 14:59

in my classroom, I think I do have a right to ensure that all those who can wear masks do wear them.

How would you do that? Even if you were allowed to ask, you can’t verify what you’re told anyway. And GPs aren’t providing notes (because they have other things to do, I’m not criticising them).
So what exactly would you like to happen? The child could say “I have x medical condition” you have no way of verifying it, nor are you qualified to say whether x medical condition is a valid reason.

Notfeelinggreattoday · 23/09/2020 15:03

@madamefrog so france doesn't allow children in who can't wear a mask for a geniune reAson
So if they have autism and can't cope they just get left at home
Also france has very high case numbers over 10000 a day in last few days , are schools seeing lots of cases , are masks working ?

turnitonagain · 23/09/2020 15:07

You’re right OP.

My relatives are in the States and their school district has offered in person (daily or 2-3 days per week depending on age) or full remote learning. For in person lessons masks are MANDATORY for everyone including staff. If you’re unable to wear a mask for health reasons or you’re a MAGA anti masker then you must select the remote learning option.

England made a huge mistake by a) not mandating masks for in class attendance and b) not providing an alternative for those who can’t or won’t wear one.

YouBringLightInToADarkPlace · 23/09/2020 15:15

Genuinely don't get this... surely if masks work then you are protected by wearing one, and if they don't work then your student not wearing one won't make a difference?

supersonicginandtonic · 23/09/2020 15:19

@evenmoreforthemoor if you teach pupils with emotional and behavioural difficulties then you should be understanding why many of them are exempt.

Original poster
evenmoreforthemoor · 23/09/2020 15:20

[quote supersonicginandtonic]@evenmoreforthemoor if you teach pupils with emotional and behavioural difficulties then you should be understanding why many of them are exempt. [/quote]
Of course I do.

I also know when they have no reason for not wearing one.

Like this one.

OP posts:
Original poster
evenmoreforthemoor · 23/09/2020 15:22

@YouBringLightInToADarkPlace

Genuinely don't get this... surely if masks work then you are protected by wearing one, and if they don't work then your student not wearing one won't make a difference?
Masks mainly protect others from you not you from them.
OP posts:
OchonAgusOchonO · 23/09/2020 15:26

@YouBringLightInToADarkPlace

Genuinely don't get this... surely if masks work then you are protected by wearing one, and if they don't work then your student not wearing one won't make a difference?
Have you read any of the information on mask usage?

If you are in any way aware, you would know the purpose of masks is to protect others. If we all wear them, then we are all protected. If we allow only those who have legitimate reasons (and I dislike them, I think they're too hot, I find them uncomfortable, I think they're bullshit etc etc are not legitimate reasons) to be excused from wearing them, there should be enough people wearing them to provide protection - a bit like vaccines really. If we allow any gobshite who just doesn't fancy it, then there will not be enough people wearing them to provide protection.

And I include those who don't cover their nose, "just because", in the category of gobshite.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 23/09/2020 15:29

Firstly I think you lost me by constantly berating this fictional awful MOTHER as opposed to parent or god forbid dad.
Secondly you don’t have the right to anyone’s medical information. It’s not a perfect system hence we have to stem the infection rate outside of the classroom, I don’t think it’s fair to ask an 11yr old to be in a mask for 7 -8hrs when you factor in their travel too. God knows I struggle wearing one round the shops.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 23/09/2020 15:30

a bit like vaccines really. If we allow any gobshite who just doesn't fancy it, then there will not be enough people wearing them to provide protection well vaccines aren’t compulsory!

Rosebel · 23/09/2020 15:38

But you are not considering children with disabilities. Why should they wear a lanyard? Just to make it really obvious they have a special need. Or people could stop being so judgy and accept that some children and adults really can't (not they don't want to) wear a mask.

FTMF30 · 23/09/2020 15:40

@OnlyFoolsnMothers I think OP was referring to a mum on a different post.

People are putting alot of faith in masks forgetting their effectiveness are reliant on proper use. How many people are reusing single use masks?

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 23/09/2020 15:41

Thanks FTMF30 hadn’t realised

Venicelover · 23/09/2020 15:46

I think this is an extreme situation and calls for extreme measures and tolerance from everyone.

Mask wearing should be compulsory unless you have serious breathing difficulties. Other conditions should build up a tolerance by wearing them at home to help them adapt. There should be few, if any exemptions imo, and what there are should be disclosed by carrying a card.

I know that is unpopular but it is needed.

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