Mask instructions from school

[Summertime2]

DDs school have sent instructions that masks are to be worn in classrooms this term - fine. But also that the masks should be cloth rather than disposable as apparently more effective and better for the environment.

DD has been told they will "be challenged" if wearing a disposable mask.

AIBU to object to this? First I can find nothing online that says cloth masks are better than disposable - in fact the opposite.

Secondly - does this mean the school could also insist on cotton hankies rather than tissues? On old rags rather than sanitary towels?

Surely this is not the school's job?

Here is the email for reference - for info the email my DD received was much more firm. Let me know if IABU to tell them to get lost and DD will wear a disposable mask if we choose. Which she does as she finds it more comfortable.

Face coverings:

"Pupils now need to wear masks in lessons, practice exams, in the corridors, in all communal areas and also in classrooms at lunch and break. We would very much appreciate it if all pupils could bring their own, non-disposable, mask to school. This is helpful from a sustainability perspective but also in ensuring the effectiveness of the mask. We have contacted the girls on several occasions about the importance of using non-disposable masks but last term we saw students use more than 300 disposable masks in school each week. We would really appreciate your support in this matter. "

I can see the school's point of view about the effect on the environment, but we are always being told cloth masks are next to useless. They are also really uncomfortable to wear. I'd either look on Etsy for some single layer masks, obviously no good for viruses but at least your daughter will be able to breathe properly. Or you could buy a different colour, like black, if you really want paper masks - this will make it more difficult for the teachers to tell.

@NatashaBedwouldbenice

Though sanitary towels apparently take 800yrs so should I accept guidance on reusable cloths instead?

Yep.

Yep twice. Or cups.

Cloth masks aren't as effective as disposable surgical masks and surgical masks aren't as effective as n95 or ffp3.

If I remember correctly, single layer cloth masks provide very little protection to both the wearer and to other people

I think, it might make sense to encourage reusable cloth masks for the sake of the environment but they shouldn't demand it under the pretext that they are more effective when they are not.

To add my kid's school hands out disposable masks like they are sweeties. 500 masks a day they give out to kids that 'forget' to bring their own. 2,500 a week!

The financial cost and the environmental cost of that horrifies me. I'd much rather they put a bit of effort into encouraging cloth masks.

@NatashaBedwouldbenice

Though sanitary towels apparently take 800yrs so should I accept guidance on reusable cloths instead?

Yep.

Genuinely? You think school should mandate on this?

Surely efficacy is the point?

I'd say cost/benefit is the point. Thousands of extra tons of plastics in the oceans for hundreds of years is worth it for Ebola but possibly not for a tiny difference in transmission of covid. No masks to masks is more benefit than cloth masks to disposable masks. I'd assume.

And the litter at school!

Ohh better tell hospitals this then as we must use disposable masks as there is evidence to show they are significant more effective and that before considering how often masks are washed by school kids. Very much doubt its daily and they replace them for a clean one when damp. I insist mine wear the disposable ones and change at lunch. I also ask them to rip the ties. I think the issue is school having to hand out masks as pp said and the cost on an already stretched budget.

Genuinely? You think school should mandate on this?

I assume PP and I both meant for you! Not mandated by the school.

YABU

The school instructions seem perfectly reasonable and logical to me. I don't really understand what your issue is. My ds has been keeping to the same rules since last September. It isn't difficult.

Ment to add I just mean the blue Surgical.ones not the full level.3 FFP masks before anyone comments

You think school should mandate on this?

I meant that you should accept guidance, not that the school should mandate.

Yes Ljmumun our hospital only allows you to use blue surgical masks, you have to take one on entry even if you already have a surgical mask of your own.

I think you’re right about the effectiveness, cloth ones are less effective if single layer so I’m not sure how they’re using that as a rationale. I doubt they’ll do anything anything if you send your children wearing the medical masks as it sounds like they made the same request last term.

There was an article in the time about mask effectiveness by GP Dr Mark Foster. “Face coverings like homemade cloth masks and scarfs are better than nothing, with lab studies suggesting they reduce transmission of artificially created droplets by about half (eg 47 per cent for a neck gaiter, increasing to 60 per cent if folded double). A medical-grade surgical mask (see below) achieves about 60 per cent while a FFP2/N95 grade mask almost completely stops transmission. Face shields studied in the test reduced spread by a miserable 2 per cent (they work with a mask but are nigh-on useless without).”

OP have you not seen reusable sanitary pads I've used them for a few years - they're fantastic, no sweaty plastic in them, no nasty stinky perfumes. I think they're amazing. Obviously school aren't going to mandate on it as they would have no way to check, you're just being childish and ridiculous there.

We desperately need to reduce our use of items we use once that include plastic in them and masks are no exception. They are littering everywhere including around the outside of the school we live near, it's just gross. They are considered better but imagine a school of 1500 kids (like my ds's) using a disposable or two every single day and the huge amount of waste that is going to produce every week.

@NatashaBedwouldbenice

You think school should mandate on this?

I meant that you should accept guidance, not that the school should mandate.

At the risk of diverting this question - I have a 16 yr old who struggles with tampons (let alone a moon cup) and a 14 yr old who has had 3 periods. Do you/others with young teenagers use washable cloths/moocups for their children? I honestly hadn't considered this?

Do you/others with young teenagers use washable cloths/moocups for their children? I honestly hadn't considered this?

You could. I have seen threads on here. Teens will often use period pants/washable towels.

Regarding the masks, if your daughters don't have a problem with cloth masks I would let them wear them. If they do provide a note for if they are challenged.

Mooncups/tampons are not for me but I've used washable towels for years. Mine are homemade but you can buy them. I guess it's an individual's choice but I'd make them available for teens.

@NatashaBedwouldbenice

Mooncups/tampons are not for me but I've used washable towels for years. Mine are homemade but you can buy them. I guess it's an individual's choice but I'd make them available for teens.

I've just googled and these actually look really good - going to see if my teens like them!

No where in the email does it say they will be challenged so I expect this not be 'where is your reusable mask' and more 'this is your third disposable mask today, bring a reusable one tomorrow'. Who's supplying all these reusable masks to the students? If parents then while there's definitely an environmental issue it should be less of a concern to the school than if the school is supplying the majority of the disposable masks. Why should schools continue to supply masks, nearly 2 years into the pandemic when parents can supply a couple of reusable masks?

I don’t disagree with them on the environmental point, but are they right on the effectiveness? I’ve had a couple of hospital visits over the last few months and each time they’ve requested I remove my reusable mask and replace with one of the blue disposable ones - I assumed that was due to effectiveness?

But generally, I don’t see a massive issue with the school having a preference here.

@WabbitsAndWeasels

No where in the email does it say they will be challenged so I expect this not be 'where is your reusable mask' and more 'this is your third disposable mask today, bring a reusable one tomorrow'. Who's supplying all these reusable masks to the students? If parents then while there's definitely an environmental issue it should be less of a concern to the school than if the school is supplying the majority of the disposable masks. Why should schools continue to supply masks, nearly 2 years into the pandemic when parents can supply a couple of reusable masks?

My DD said the email sent to students said "expect to be challenged" and the masks are definitely supplied by parents

My DD said the email sent to students said "expect to be challenged" and the masks are definitely supplied by parents

Just write a note for if they are challenged if they prefer to wear disposable. I'd be inclined to say it is your decision to provide them with these and for the teacher to contact you directly if this is a problem. (It won't be. Not enough for them to deal with you, anyway)

My DD takes disposable and keeps a stock in her bag. We used to use fabric ones, but have lost count of how many have been lost or the nose wire has broken etc. She finds the disposable more comfortable and at least I know it's clean, at least daily.

Masks are pointless and virtue signalling only. So yes I am that parent and care not a jot about that.
They can encourage all they like, but if your kids prefer disposable then that’s enough.
Kids should not have to wear them at all