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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Masks..in the school playground??

111 replies

PatButchersEarring · 15/01/2022 18:52

The head of my children's primary school has requested that all parents wear masks in the playground (totally outside, open, no sheltered areas) when dropping off or picking up children- and is rigidly reminding and enforcing this.

Now, the only interaction with teachers is outside, through a fenced off area. There are literally cones and red tape cordoning off any entrances to classrooms. If parents speak to teachers, it is from at least 2 metres away and outside. No parents have been able to enter the school for nearly 2 years- with or without masks.

I understand that schools pose a high risk for the spread of Covid- but masks outside? Really??

Looking at the DFE guidance, this appears to be in direct contradiction, and I'm wondering if it is more of a political statement on the school's behalf as opposed to a rational, thought out preventative measure.

So, my AIBU is 'Is it unreasonable for it to be mandatory for adults to wear a mask when in the school playground?'

OP posts:
Comefromaway · 15/01/2022 18:55

Can you clarify

YABU - masks in the playground are fine
YANBU - it’s unreasonable to expect masks

?

Original poster
PatButchersEarring · 15/01/2022 18:57

Yes- YABU masks in playground fine

YANBU- it's unreasonable to expect masks.

OP posts:
InCahootswithOrwell · 15/01/2022 18:58

Looking at the DFE guidance, this appears to be in direct contradiction, and I'm wondering if it is more of a political statement on the school's behalf as opposed to a rational, thought out preventative measure.

I love the way you assume that it’s the DfE guidance that is a rational and thought out measure over the schools position.

Are the parents socially distancing from each other at pick up? If the parents are keeping away from each other it’s probably not necessary. If they aren’t then the school are probably right and may have been advised by local public health teams that masks in the playground are advisable.

TheCanyon · 15/01/2022 18:59

Our school have requested masks in the playground since the start. Only p1 parents allowed in the playground but 4/5 year olds aren't exactly brilliant at distancing.

Mol1628 · 15/01/2022 19:01

Ours have always requested masks in the playground. As it’s entirely open and not at all cramped or crowded about 90% don’t bother. I think now we know more about how the virus is transmitted it’s pretty pointless.

Ijustreallywantacat · 15/01/2022 19:01

We have had to bubble two year groups already, stop many intervention groups aland the head teacher has had to step in to cover classes all week because of staff absence. It's been a complete nightmare. While covid is still an issue and isolation is still a thing, every little helps. Wear a mask.

Yubaba · 15/01/2022 19:03

My son’s primary school has had this rule since schools went back in 2020. No mask no entry to the playground.

twomumsonebump · 15/01/2022 19:06

I'm 24 weeks pregnant currently off work with covid. My class had an outbreak and now they don't have their teacher for a week. YABU - there's no need for a parent to be that close to a teacher without a mask.

minniep · 15/01/2022 19:06

We have this. Masks must be worn while anywhere on school property. It's been like this since school returned in September 2020.

VainAbigail · 15/01/2022 19:07

Our LA did this (Warwickshire) just before the summer. Posters on the gates from the council, messages from the Head etc. Seemed barmy to me but I used one and so did the teachers. I understand what you’re saying and I don’t think you’re BU, but I wouldn’t get wound up about it really. Just keep your distance from others when you’re on-site if you don’t want to use one.

thetrolleywitch · 15/01/2022 19:07

Honestly, I know it doesn't seem to make sense but there are so few mitigation measures in school why not just go along with it?

I think the main function of masks on the playground is as a reminder to socially distance a bit and to move on quickly rather than standing around chatting.

Hugasauras · 15/01/2022 19:07

We've always worn them for nursery pick-up and drop-off, which is outside. Sometimes there is a bit of a queue or higher traffic coming in and out. Can't say it really bothers me for how little time we are there!

itsgettingweird · 15/01/2022 19:10

My school requests masks when dropping off children by foot or driving through the driveway.

It's a SS and so handovers are generally quite close. Staff are wearing masks because we are all in corridors afterwards and it never occurred to me parents might find it odd!

They do comply though!

LittleBearPad · 15/01/2022 19:10

We wear them. There are a lot of parents and particularly by the gates it gets very busy. Wear your mask OP and give the HT a break. They have enough shot going on without parents being difficult about wearing a mask for 10 minutes a day

MaryAndHerNet · 15/01/2022 19:10

My daughter's school asks people to wear masks whenever on school grounds.

Seeing as it's a very simple thing for me to do, I wear one without hesitation.
Some people have legitimate reasons not too, others are just twats.

FerretFumbler · 15/01/2022 19:12

Been like this at my children’s school for ages.
I agree with it.

hangrylady · 15/01/2022 19:13

It's pretty standard

JenniferAlisonPhilippaSue · 15/01/2022 19:16

Yes of course YANBU. But I’m intrigued as to what you mean by them “enforcing” it? What are these adults doing to the other adults in order to force them? Just don’t do it. What are they going to do, keep your child?

Disneyblueeyes · 15/01/2022 19:16

Pointless if you ask me.

HelenaJustina · 15/01/2022 19:18

Completely standard request, it definitely serves as a reminder to parents to socially distance. Compliance is super high at our primary, it may be tokenistic but it’s a gesture to the hard work and difficulties our school staff have faced throughout the pandemic.

Comefromaway · 15/01/2022 19:18

At this stage in the pandemic I would not be wearing masks outside unless I was in a very crowded situation.

germsandcoffee · 15/01/2022 19:21

My daughters school don't ask us to wear masks in the playground and I've had lots of meetings in school this year where I've never been asked to wear a mask then either but we do socially distance in the meetings.

SickAndTiredAgain · 15/01/2022 19:21

@twomumsonebump

I'm 24 weeks pregnant currently off work with covid. My class had an outbreak and now they don't have their teacher for a week. YABU - there's no need for a parent to be that close to a teacher without a mask.
To be fair, OP has said that due to cones and cordons, no parents come within 2m of a teacher, and it’s always outside. That isn’t close.
MoonBat · 15/01/2022 19:23

School my kids go to have requested masks in the playground since before Christmas. The school I work in has in the past few weeks been "strongly advising".

I put a mask on at about 8.15am to get the bus for the school run, then it stays on until about 4pm when I've got off the bus home from work. I barely notice it now, I can't see how people can feel so inconvenienced by having to wear it for like five minutes.

Phillipa12 · 15/01/2022 19:24

Standard at our primary too. Whilst on school premises parents are required to wear masks unless exempt..