To not want nanny to wear a mask around DS?

[Rainallnight]

DS is two. He’s with a nanny three days a week. He’s prone to colds and runny noses, as are lots of toddlers. The nanny has complained that she has twice picked up a cold from him, and has suggested wearing a face mask around him.

I think this is (a) a massive over reaction and (b) not good for DS. He has speech delay and really needs to be able to see people’s faces to develop his communication.

Surely picking up kiddy colds is a bit of an occupational hazard for nannies?

But tell me if I’m missing something.

(Obviously I have no problem with her wearing one in shops or other situations where it’s Covid-mandated. This would be all the time, including at home).

The HSE regulations state this and have to be followed by employers. This is a relatively new set of recommendations/guidance and I am sure that there will be/are cases going in right now

And English law works by case precedence, so nothing will be established in law until a number of cases are tried.

HTH.

The HSE regulations state this and have to be followed by employers.

The health and safety regulations state that if an employee wants to wear a mask to prevent catching a toddlers cold even though the mask will not prevent this occurring in any way shape or form and good hygiene is the best form of prevention then the employer has to agree...

@flaviaritt

It's high risk regardless of the number of people. Odd logic

No, the more people, the higher the risk. Just ordinary logic.

But you implied the nanny is less likely to catch something as she is working with one wee guy which is just nonsense.

@flaviaritt

Marzipan12

I did choose them carefully. Forcing a toddler to cover their mouth and nose for extended periods of time (without very strong grounds) is abuse. I am absolutely certain of that.

I'm with PP. stop throwing words around

Op I'm sure it's been mentioned but why not a clear visor. It would protected her from toddler sneezes.. Coughs even though they are not infallible m

Bloody hell how long has she been a nanny for? I've been working with children for donkey's years and after a while you tend to shake off most colds because you're constantly exposed to the little plague spreaders (in the nicest possible way, they are obviously incredibly cute and adorable plague spreaders!).
I agree with others that I'd be concerned she can't see the issues with wearing a mask constantly and the impact it would have on a small child's development, never mind the fact your child has speech delay!
Pre covid I'm fairly sure she wouldn't have suggested this. Ridiculous thing to suggest, especially as you've said she's quite relaxed about covid! She looks after small children and small children get lots of colds so she needs to suck it up

@TheKeatingFive

Yes you are bring unreasonable and also, if you request it, acting illegally.

What fucking nonsense

Nope.

@Rainallnight have you raised your concerns re. speech delay etc with her? I'd be interested to know her reaction. You may find that she hasn't thought that aspect through.
Personally I can't imagine wearing a mask at a nannying job, especially with younger children like yours but given current circumstances I don't think you could deny her right to wear one. As previous posters have suggested I would definitely encourage her to use one with a transparent section or maybe a visor would be more practical.
Has she been working in childcare for long? Colds and coughs are something that you soon get used to in this sector! The first weeks of September are always the worst though and it must be a nightmare having to isolate for every cough at the moment.

Op I'm sure it's been mentioned but why not a clear visor

They don’t provide any protection

And English law works by case precedence, so nothing will be established in law until a number of cases are tried

Er, no - not in this case. Employment law works by statute and regulation. In case of dispute, it will go to tribunal and the law will be applied. In some cases, the case will be appealed and the law will still be applied. In some cases, the judgment will indicate how the law will be app,ied and that may give a precedent. But it’s still all about applying the law!

@flaviaritt I'm also entitled to my opinion having one is not unique to you. A child wearing a mask is not child abuse. Frankly saying that completely takes away the actual meaning of what child abuse is.

Marzipan12

Clearly we disagree. I am not wasting any further time on it.

Storyoftonight

That isn’t what I am doing. We disagree with each other.

But you implied the nanny is less likely to catch something as she is working with one wee guy which is just nonsense.

She is far less likely to catch something with the same exposure every day to a single child. Why don’t you understand this obvious aspect of how infectious diseases spread?

@Rainallnight

It’s not about Covid is the new cancel the cheque. It’s not about Covid. She doesn’t want to catch a cold.

I just don't believe this, sorry. Who would fear the common cold more than covid? Makes no sense. I imagine her comment about the cold was that she is sick of catching it from your dc, but that doesn't mean it wasn't covid that sparked the idea.

Does she have asthma?

@flaviaritt

But you implied the nanny is less likely to catch something as she is working with one wee guy which is just nonsense.

She is far less likely to catch something with the same exposure every day to a single child. Why don’t you understand this obvious aspect of how infectious diseases spread?

sorry miss

I'm not even engaging that with someone who doesn't understand what child abuse is.

I’m work in a nursery, in close physical contact with up to 16 children a day and we don’t wear masks. Colds are occupational hazards unfortunately but she should be taking better precautions such as regular hand washing and washing after each time she wipes his nose. I’m writing this with a stinking cold I’ve picked up from work - off a colleague who picked it up from her own child, so could have happened in an office too!
I think she should just get on with it or not work with children!