AIBU to think a 6 year old is too young to be forced to where a mask?

[Meadow1203]

This is now the law [in France] edited by MNHQ for clarity. I think this could be very frightening for a small child.

[quote YellowBeryl1]@flaviaritt I agree, way too much hysteria. Covid crazy. Poor children being made to wear muzzles.[/quote]
Whatever your goal is, we don't need it on Mumsnet thanks

A mask is not a muzzle, as you damn well know

Nobody on here has said that.

Yes they have, with a couple of caveats (SEN). There are several comments like this. Anyway, the fact that there are plenty of good reasons for a small child to wear a mask is why I don’t believe they should ever be compulsory for kids.

@flaviaritt I was wondering when you would start spouting about your child's rights 😕 the cry of the utterly entitled. This is why the numbers are going up because we have an entitled society whow think every thing is about them, they want everything now and don't want to follow any kind of rule that benefits others. I had hoped this pandemic might open a few of the entitled eyes but sadly it hasn't

@flaviaritt

Because calling them muzzles doesn't sound like hysteria

They’re masks. Covering nose and mouth, making breathing more difficult. They feel unnatural because they are. I will not subject my small child to one.

Fine. Just don't take them places they're required.

Do you refuse to use car seats as well, they feel restrictive & unnatural as well.

Marzipan12

Yes, my small child IS entitled not to be compelled to be distressed and uncomfortable by adults who should know better.

Kids here have been wearing them for months, including in school.

Play around with different masks until you find one your child likes. I see and mine wanted very soft straps that go around her head, not her ears. It’s ok to admit that wearing a mask can be unpleasant, but talk about the importance of mask wearing, model proper wearing yourself, and if needed use some of the tricks like sucking on a mint from time to time.

For everyone who thinks it should be compulsory for children to wear masks, how should we deal with young children who refuse to wear them?

Just don't take them places they're required.

Which is what I said. But I also oppose their being made mandatory for small children.

And yes, she goes in the car seat. That is for her safety and she is perfectly happy.

My kids wear cute cat masks. They like joining in.

"Frighten a child". FFS. It'll only be scared if you tell it to be scared. Make it read the papers, if you like.

It'll only be scared if you tell it to be scared. Make it read the papers, if you like.

@flaviaritt you step part of the reason why tne numbers are rising, you are people with your attiude you are part of the reason why restrictions are in place and why businesses are closing. Congratulations.

@flaviaritt

I'd rather a "distressed" child than a dead mother.

17 people under the age of 40 in the UK have died because of coronavirus, most with other health conditions. This is hysteria. The virus is a serious risk to the elderly and the sick. My 4 YO daughter isn’t going to be forced to wear a mask to protect them. If that is considered necessary I will keep her away from them. Her rights matter too.

Tell that to the family of the (not old) Welsh school teacher who died of Covid recently.

Her life is worth more than your daughter's feelings. Get a grip. Rights? Really. Very silly.

Marzipan12

I’m following all the rules and all the guidelines. You don’t know me so please leave the accusations out of this. I am entitled to a view on whether or not my small child should cover her face and mouth. I’m her mum.

@flaviaritt

Because calling them muzzles doesn't sound like hysteria

They’re masks. Covering nose and mouth, making breathing more difficult. They feel unnatural because they are. I will not subject my small child to one.

A muzzle is a restraint, to stop animals biting - it can't be removed....it is not like mask.

Masks shouldn't hinder breathing (unless you have difficulties with breathing already) - they are simply a face covering that partially limits the spreading of exhaled aerosols.

Her life is worth more than your daughter's feelings.

So I assume you would force my 4 year old, sobbing, into a mask? That’s you. I think that is revolting.

Masks shouldn't hinder breathing (unless you have difficulties with breathing already) - they are simply a face covering that partially limits the spreading of exhaled aerosols.

Partially limits the breathing. Yes.

@MessAllOver

For everyone who thinks it should be compulsory for children to wear masks, how should we deal with young children who refuse to wear them?

We'll I should imagine, if you can't encourage a child to wear one safely, that would be covered by the... anyone who cannot apply a covering and wear it in the proper manner safely and consistently ..type exemption.

And yes, she goes in the car seat. That is for her safety and she is perfectly happy.

What if she wasn't, would you 'force a sobbing 4-year old' into a car seat?

Do young kids not just constantly touch them though of on for ages ?
I struggle to not touch mine

What if she wasn't, would you 'force a sobbing 4-year old' into a car seat?

This is a ridiculous comparison anyway, because the car seat a) is useful and b) is for her own safety. But no, if she was persistently distressed (didn’t calm down within a few minutes) of course I wouldn’t. You?

HazeyJaneII

Then they are not mandatory. If you can say (as you should be able to), “No, my child is distressed and I am not forcing her into it again”, they are discretionary.

Please don't say some make an issue of a bit of fabric like its no big deal for some people
For some wearing them is hard and maybe traumatic for those of us that can wear them fine, but i also accept for others its hard
And i won't accept for one minute its normal to wear one and i wear one as some think they make a difference and we have to do our bit

'limits the breathing' really, in the absence of any pre-existing substantive medical condition??

What makes me uneasy is we are told small children don’t pass the virus. Hence they are looked to mix together at school without masks. Yet France think they pass the virus enough to enforce mask wearing. So which is it? Do they pass the virus or not! Clearly the experts do not know.

So I assume you would force my 4 year old, sobbing, into a mask? That’s you. I think that is revolting.

Not only that, but surely there are safety concerns around physically forcing a hysterical child to wear a mask, given their breathing is already affected. It's not like strapping a hysterical toddler into a car seat, which I have no issue with.

If small children wear masks, it needs to be with their consent and understanding. Also, they need to be old enough to take off and put on their masks by themselves. Otherwise, their carers and teachers will have to help them, which defeats the point entirely. Under 5s wearing masks need to be closely supervised and in the line of sight of an adult at all times to ensure they are not experiencing breathing difficulties. The WHO does not recommend masks for the under 5s and says the decision for 6-11 year olds should depend on the circumstances.