Masks..in the school playground??

[PatButchersEarring]

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?'

@Comefromaway

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

Same here. Pointless in the school playground when the kids are in a classroom together all day. Could understand it for parents eve or school play.

Our school politely request masks in the playground.

To be honest, I don't see that it's a big deal

@Bluebluemoon39 - the school are desperately trying to remain open so doing absolutely everything which can support that - I 100% support their efforts. It’s a pity some parents don’t. The alternative is classes closing and lots of 4-11 year olds being back at home. We had a governors meeting last week and if one more teacher or TA’s is off, classes close as there aren’t any supply teachers available.

Completely ridiculous, absolutely absurd for anyone to wear a mask outdoors under any circumstances. We know the risk of transmission is virtually zero. Especially given that the parents “huddling together” are entirely free to then go and spend the rest of the day sitting in a small windowless room together if they want to without contravening a single restriction.

Our school has had this rule since schools reopened after the first lockdown. Never been an issue... you're in the playground for what, 5 minutes at pick up?

I think this is reasonable and normal? My child’s school is very busy (outside) at drop off and pick up times and the new variant is highly infectious- think it’s sensible for everyone to do their best to reduce risk. Wearing a mask for 15 mins or so doesn’t seem like a big ask.

It's outside?!!! Why on earth should you where masks

A local school has almost 50% of one class absent with COVID, it is now spreading through families too. They had stopped asking for masks to be worn on the premises but are now going back to it, seems a bit late!

We’ve had to wear masks in the playground since June 20

Parker231
@Bluebluemoon39-the school are desperately trying to remain open so doing absolutely everything which can support that - I 100% support their efforts. It’s a pity some parents don’t. The alternative is classes closing and lots of 4-11 year olds being back at home.We had a governors meeting last week and if one more teacher or TA’s is off, classes close as there aren’t any supply teachers available.

You're missing the point. This is pure whataboutery.

If your school closes, it will not be because parents weren't wearing their masks outside.

It has absolutely no bearing on cases - so why do it? The children are mingling, unvaccinated and maskless in school with the teachers all day - if their parents then wear a mask to stand outside in the fresh air when picking them up this does not alter anything one iota.

Mindless virtue signalling is all it is at this point.

I work in a school and we have all your children in with us alday long , I wear a mask to protect your children and others for the sake of 10 mins drop off and pick up it's just easy to wear a mask . I have had covid recently and I am pregnant , turns out a parent had it and didn't notify anyone just sent her child in everyday with her dropping off and picking up. How many others actually test and know if they have it or not?. The mask isn't just to protect you , there's others around who are more vulnerable.

Our nursery has asked parents to wear masks at handover and drop off (outside). I’m grateful for them for keeping going through a pandemic, so if that’s what they want then I’m not going to be bloody minded about.

We’ve all gone and got Covid this week anyway, probably from nursery.

It’s been the norm where I am. Just get on with it

have had covid recently and I am pregnant , turns out a parent had it and didn't notify anyone just sent her child in everyday with her dropping off and picking up

Maybe she didn't want to tell people because she was worried about ridiculous attitudes like yours. She was perfectly entitled to send her child into school.

How many others actually test and know if they have it or not?

At the moment not many I would think as people are wising up to the fact it's basically a cold for most. Symptomless for about a third.
And of course, there's the fact you can't get LFT's now (probably as they are trying to phase them out gently-gently like).

Some people honestly won't know what to do with themselves when this is all properly over.

Yabu , school staff are working hard to keep your children in school. Unless your exempt is it too much to put a mask on when collecting your children.

@Bluebluemoon39

have had covid recently and I am pregnant , turns out a parent had it and didn't notify anyone just sent her child in everyday with her dropping off and picking up

Maybe she didn't want to tell people because she was worried about ridiculous attitudes like yours. She was perfectly entitled to send her child into school.

How many others actually test and know if they have it or not?

At the moment not many I would think as people are wising up to the fact it's basically a cold for most. Symptomless for about a third.
And of course, there's the fact you can't get LFT's now (probably as they are trying to phase them out gently-gently like).

Some people honestly won't know what to do with themselves when this is all properly over.

Yes the parent can send her kid to school but she shouldn’t leave the house to do the drop off! That’s going against the isolation rules and could lead to a fine!

You can get LFTs, we are still testing regularly and are following the rules having found out that we have Covid. We are not slavish rule followers by any means but we do believe in behaving correctly and avoiding infecting others where possible.

@Bluebluemoon39

have had covid recently and I am pregnant , turns out a parent had it and didn't notify anyone just sent her child in everyday with her dropping off and picking up

Maybe she didn't want to tell people because she was worried about ridiculous attitudes like yours. She was perfectly entitled to send her child into school.

How many others actually test and know if they have it or not?

At the moment not many I would think as people are wising up to the fact it's basically a cold for most. Symptomless for about a third.
And of course, there's the fact you can't get LFT's now (probably as they are trying to phase them out gently-gently like).

Some people honestly won't know what to do with themselves when this is all properly over.

No no did you read my post she was supposed to be isolating at home! , yes for someone else to bring her child in if symptomless but NO to be standing at the gates hugging and chatting with others knowing full well she has it , then passing it to everyone else.

My attitude is not ridiculous at all. Irresponsible people thinking only their health matters , that's ridiculous.

Both my kids schools have had this since they went back in April last year. Really don’t see the issue. Wear a bloody mask, reduce the risk as much as possible of covid spreading in schools

You’re outside! What complete bollocks and just virtue signalling. I would ignore. It’s time to get back to normal now. You’re outside 🙄

hugging and chatting with others knowing full well she has it , then passing it to everyone else.

Oh, you didn't mention she was hugging and chatting

How do you know she infected you though??

I work at a school and we always thought masks in the playground were ridiculous but our LA wanted us to promote the message. I think we promoted it once in very small letters and never enforced it as it is bonkers. Masks have never been mandatory outdoors in this country.

I fully understand why schools are twitchy about COVID, I really do, but measures like this really don't help.

It does seem a little bit bonkers given the children and staff are spending all day in very close indoor contact without masks. The junior school I go into weekly has done away with all mitigations apart from hand sanitiser in the office! Children are much more likely to bring it home to parents than parents bringing it into the school.

Utterly utterly pointless virtue signalling. Wear one if you like if you prefer to not be approached by the HT in the school grounds but they cannot make you - like pp's have said, what are they going to do, refuse to let you take your child home!!

It is ‘encouraged’ at our school but only a few people do - I just don’t get the point when you’re outside? We know the virus is not going to spread in the playground at drop off - it spreads indoors amongst close contacts where there is poor ventilation?

@Gingerbreadrules you would think so. But all of the cases we have had in our primary this term have been isolated cases brought into school from home. So far touches wood we have had no spread within classes