AIBU to want to wear a mask again in my classroom

[EmsHugs]

Would like to know AIBU to not give in to this parent demand.

I am in my second trimester but still quite small so not told many people as we still have some tests etc and i am listed as high risk. It is my first pregnancy after years of infertility, failed IVf and and I am being super cautious. Before the summer when I was in the early weeks of my pregnancy I caught covid and was very ill so since returning to school I have chosen to wear a mask, particularly as I have still to get several of the vaccinations like flu, whooping cough etc.

A parent of a child has put in a complaint and said I should remove the mask because it makes their child anxious but I have said while I am sorry their child does not like the mask, due to current health issues I will not. They have now made accusations that I am a poor teacher and not respectful of their child's issues, however as a high school teacher I have over 500 pupils in and out my classroom every week and want to every precaution I can to protect my baby. The school are aware why I am doing this and said they will explain to the parent but several of my colleagues, friends and family members are still not awaresi am pregnant so I do not particularly feel I should have to divulge this to a parent and that stating my health concerns should be sufficient. I have even sat with the child and explained that I wear the mask to protect myself and that I need to wear it for now but that may change later but I appreciate them being understanding. The pupil seemed to be okay but the parent continues to be adament and I believe it is because I have immediately not given into them and stood my ground.

The stress of this parent sending complaints everytime this child is in my class 4 times a week, is getting me very stressed so I would like to know:

AIBU to not divulge at the moment the reason I need to wear a mask
AINBU the parent needs to realise they cannot get everything they want.

That is, I'm afraid, utter nonsense. For some people with compromised immune systems or underlying conditions masking is essential, and advised by their consultants.

Your arrogance in thinking you know better than doctors is stunning.

I think it would be better to get signed off by your doctor and have an extended maternity leave. Stress is more of a risk in pregnancy than Covid. And if you've already had Covid before, you'll have some
natural immunity.

I'm glad I'm not teaching your child either.
You haven't bothered to read the posts nor the updates and replies.
I was hospitalised due to covid in my early pregnancy. Due to previous health conditions and as a result of how I reacted to covid I am a high risk pregnancy. My employer and my GP both suggested the face mask to ease anxiety and reduce my chances of being infected as I work with over 500 kids a week. There are no windows that open in my classroom as we have an air circulation system, a system that is already been rated poorly by my local authority Risk team. I have yet to get my vaccinations for RSV, whooping Cough, covid and Flu There was a whooping cough outbreak in my school prior to the summer, two cases have already been highlighted in the school since last week. I therefore need to wear a mask. My partner's father and my sister in law are both immuno compromised.
I am not clinhing to covid. I hate taught for two years without a masks and through three rounds of IVf. I am ofcoursed stressed but I am not mental simply taking sensible precautions until I am properly vaccinated and my unborn baby is at a lesser risk of being harmed by these potentially life altering viruses

Who’s mental state do you think is the most important in this scenario?

That this is being asked shows why so many teachers are leaving the profession.

I have not been drip feeding. I am unable to ammend my original post so updating and replying as an issue arises. I am not in work today because I do not work on Mondays. Hardly abusive but standing up fir myself when people say I half arse my job or they are glad I don't teach their child.

Op, I'm one of those who is anti-mask etc and all that, but given all your updates I agree with pp that you would be better going off sick u til you have at least had the vaccines that you want.
I genuinely don't think a mask is going to protect you so if you are wanting to be extra careful about not catching it you are best just not going in at all. Like you said, this pregnancy is far more important to you.
The stress isn't good for you.
Please be reassured though that I went through some extremely stressful situations in both my pregnancies and they both came out fine.
I think with you being high risk you'd be better at home taking it easy,eating well and doing gentle exercise. If you can financially afford to take the time off, I would do it xx

Really? You’re an immunologist with detailed knowledge of the immunocompromised?

A reasonable adjustment might be to request a room change to a window that opens

Or wearing a mask

- but nah, easier to screw over another year of kids' education.

This point has become worthless and is nothing more that a stick to try to emotionally blackmail and guilt trip teachers in to becoming the compliant little drones that some parents want

Loving the way you feel you have some knowledge of this person’s medical condition and the impact of underlying conditions, coupled with immunosuppression.

Anonymous keyboard warriors with no knowledge telling others what to do are the scourge of society.

Work from behind a screen instead.
If the school is supportive the parent can get lost.
Mask isn't that effective.
Insist on a screen like they have in shops.
Your happiness and health is more important than the random parent and kid.
If schools are that desperate for teachers as the media makes out then hopefully you won't have any issues having your demands met - make them demands. Don't cower for others convenience.

Some people even let their kids with nits go to school - disgusting.

@doce you don't have to be an immunologist to have common sense and the ability to read:

After a person acquires a virus, the immune system retains a memory of it.

www.healthline.com/health-news/how-long-does-immunity-last-after-covid-19-what-we-know#Hownatural-immunity-works-after-COVID-19-develops

She was being helpful, concerned - your response to her was what can be labelled as a the scurge.

I agree, because apparently teachers don't matter.

Thank you- I was only putting forward my concerned suggestion. It wasn't a fucking mandate.
It's a forum. That's the whole point. @doce
I'm pregnant myself with various conditions so DFOD you keyboard warrior accuser 💕

Didn't you? We did!

The operative word in my post being "think" as in I THINK as in my OPINION. Which I'm entitled to and the OP has asked for opinions!
Not stating things as fact or telling her what to do.

And for those whose immune system has been knocked out either by a medical condition or drugs required to treat a condition? Your ignorance is astounding.

I'd have just started wearing the mask...

I wouldn't have told anyone before or asked permission

@doce please enlighten us with your medical qualifications because all you are doing is telling everyone else they are ignorant and just being insulting in general.
You sound like a really pleasant person.

@Luio ”I say this as someone who can’t help but feel slightly angry when I see someone in a mask”

Why on earth does the sight of someone wearing a mask make you angry? It has zero impact on you…

I am immunocompromised, so wear a mask when on public transport, in shops etc. I have been yelled at, spat at, and on the train home from a visit to say goodbye to a friend having end of life care in a hospice a man decided that my sitting on a train wearing a mask was a reason to physically attack me. It was terrifying. I was very lucky that two other men intervened and pulled the first man off me. His explanation? My mask “made him angry”.

Why is the sight of someone wearing a medical device, that has nothing to do with you, and has no impact on you, a source of anger?

Nobody has mentioned vaccinations, or lack of, until you did.
Nice try though.

That’s awful @AnotherAngryAcademic . I’m so so sorry 😞. People get scared by things they don’t understand and the stupid ones lash out, rather than educating themselves.

It so happens that I have a very detailed knowledge of the impact of a compromised immune system on both the efficacy of vaccines and the impact of coming into contact with viruses such as COVID and influenza. And of the impact that such viruses have on various underlying conditions. And the efficacy of the various different types of face mask.

What medical knowledge do you have?

Who has mentioned anything about being anti-vaccines apart from posters accusing others of being antivaxxers?