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?'

People constantly whinge at DD’s school about things like this. They’re still very strict with parents, staff and kids about things.

It’s funny that they don’t moan about the fact it’s the only school locally that hasn’t had to close at any point for even a single class due to staff shortages.

Many countries ask people to wear masks outside especially in crowded areas.

Wasn’t there an example in Australia where they could show that some people did indeed catch COVID from meeting someone outside?

Posters are totally missing the point here that schools are doing everything they can to stay open. Wearing a mask (for a few minutes - not exactly difficult) is just one of many systems in place.

Some posters don’t seem to care about their DC’s schooling but will be shouting loudly when they get a message from school that their DC’s class is closing.

I think your missing the point in that there is no big deal and I wear my mask happily as yes I do want my kids in school and would be gutted if it closed. It's the lunatics that declare people will die if you dont do this that is frustrating. Those same people wont carry on wearing masks outside when this is declared endemic. But they should by their own reasoning as there are always viruses circulating that could kill people.

I don't get this now really, it seems utterly pointless. Now there's no restrictions, it's perfectly acceptable, and allowed, for a parent to go for coffee with another parent they are friends with, or even the teacher. Or all be in a pub on a Friday night with no masks in sight. So what's the point of wearing them in a situation where the odds of catching covid are so miniscule anyway.

I also think masks at things like soft play and playgroups are kind of stupid. Your unvaccinated 2 year old is licking my unvaccinated 2 year old, but it's okay, we're both wearing masks!

@grey12 nobody, bar one or two, is wearing masks at my school drop offs and pick ups. By your logic we are all cold blooded killers that are going to finish off all our old and vulnerable relatives. If only we would wear masks, they'd all live forever right?

YABU. Most schools in our area have masks on playground. I'm a primary teacher and the amount of parents who come over at drop off and pick up is enough for me to totally agree with this. Yes, we are outdoors but it is overcrowded and parents get very close. I would like some protection.

One of my DC’s school has this rule. It’s utterly pointless and I no longer comply. Most people do wear them. I don’t stand near any other parents in the playground, and everyone removes their masks as soon as they leave the school gate anyway. You can see when it’s cold that you can see people’s breath regardless of whether they have a mask or not.
Yes of course I’d wear the mask if there was ANY evidence that wearing a mask in the playground prevents the spread from one parent to another- which there isn’t.
Whole thing is just pointless 🤷‍♀️

@tootiredtospeak

When the pandemic is over and covid is eventually declared as endemic grey. What will you do when you have a normal cold. Will you isolate and wear a mask at all times as people may die because let's face it they might. Your normal cold is my grandparents chest infection and hospital. Flue and pneumonia could kill either of them. I feel really sorry for anyone who has this mindset it's an illness in itself. Equating not wearing a mask outside to people dying is so low risk it's like never leaving your house in case you get run over.i have no issue with wearing masks at school but be honest with yourself it's not to stop any serious amount of transmission.

To be honest I hope the battle into the office regardless mindset that Lemsip used to use in their adverts does change.

People staying home for a day or two with their streaming colds and hacking coughs wouldn’t be such a bad change.

I dont have any issue with wearing masks anywhere. It's just the lack of critical thinking that frustrates me. I can acknowledge what the OP is saying that its probably a bit pointless whilst still wearing it. But to equate it to people dying is daft especially when the teachers are mixing with our kids indoors. It's when people get all dramatic about it.!!

Our school insists on masks at pick up and drop off. Which is outside. We also have 2m apart spaces to stand in while we wait in the queue. This is for school nursery as they get dropped at the door and checked in outside and the reverse at pick up. My older child just comes and finds me in the playground.

I do think the masks are a bit ridiculous, but whatever, it’s a few minutes. And I’m happy to comply. Everyone does. If any parents forgets their mask then we always get an email right away reminding us all of the rules!