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.

Well said. Anyone who feels angry at the sight of a mask needs psychiatric help, and any kind of physical attack should involve a long prison sentence.

Acquiring immunities to colds is not Donald trump drinking bleach!

It is mainstream science. Viruses do mutate but you can develop some resistance if you have antibodies for a similar one.

This is why, for example, people who live in remote isolated tribes die if they catch one of our colds. Because if you've had a cold before, you can catch another one but it'll be mild from your residual immunity. The more recent your last cold, typically speaking on average, the more up to date your immunity.

This isn't pseudo science. It's totally mainstream, doctors discussed it openly during and after the pandemic.

This is nothing to do with bacteria like e coli. I'm afraid you are the confused one if you think they are at all similar. E coli lives naturally in our large intestine, in huge numbers. It makes us ill if it gets into our upper digestive system. You can't be immune to it, it's already in you.

Edit for spag

Is this an actual medical qualification though or are you a scientist of some kind? "Detailed knowledge" is vague- someone could say that after an afternoon perusing various news articles!
And I don't have much knowledge about anything tbh- but at least I don't sit there on my high horse preaching to everyone else that I do!

Also, if having Covid again and again works as protection against having Covid, why is everyone so ill all the time? I've never seen so much "summer illness" around like in the last few years.

The total irony of someone lecturing me about pseudo science and Donald trump and then using arguments like this...

Lots of people have given reasons why it's a problem. Hearing loss and ADHD being 2 examples.

Just to clarify.

The reason why "you've never seen so much summer illness around like in the last few years" is precisely because of lockdown and masking.

I'm not saying they weren't necessary.

But reduced immunity to common colds is the side effect of isolation and masking.

...which is terrible for newborns.

Wear it if you want to, it's your choice.
I'd personally like masks to be bought back and made madatory on public transport as it would significantly reduce the spread of viruses on trains/buses especially in the winter when there is a lack of ventilation on them....
But that won't be happening anytime soon so oh well🙃

To answer your question, I think that as a society, we are still collectively recovering from what for many has been an intensely difficult and sometimes traumatic period - covid and lockdowns. I'm not saying it's necessarily rational, but I think everyone has their own reasons for this being an emotive topic.

Which is also why people seem to be attacking each other in a slightly out of proportion way on this thread, I expect.

I'm really sorry to hear about your experiences, that's awful.

The teacher’s. Obviously.

I feel the same.

Anyone who feels angry about others wearing masks needs counseling. That's as stupid is being angry because others are wearing sunglasses or ear defenders.

I've been called the "scourge of society" for suggesting it might be nice for op to take some time off work and put her feet up. So yes, think out of proportion is definitely the theme for this thread!!!

The thought of ever having to wear masks again fills me with absolute dread...

I have cancer and wouldn’t wear a mask. YABU

I’m sorry you have cancer but I’m not sure how it’s relevant to the OPs situation?

Once again, totally wrong @Mumoftwo1316 . People are more sick then ever because they have damaged their immune systems through Covid infections (especially repeat Covid infections).

Whilst undeniably not a lot of fun, the U.K. had much milder lockdowns than many countries. The lockdowns were much shorter, there was a large period of time in the middle when people were interacting with loads of people (‘eat out to help out’ anyone? Not to mention ‘rule of 6’ or whatever it was where you could meet up with different people on different days). The lockdowns were so much more relaxed than many other countries, young children were never required to mask in supermarkets/schools etc. In fact the U.K. (well, England) was one of the first places to get rid of the mask mandate against scientific advice and to the horror of many other countries. The consequence of removing the protections is that we have allowed the virus to spread far more than many other countries (certainly back in 2022 when we’d totally given up but other countries kept mitigations) and this has damaged the immune system of many many people, including our children.

Anger's a defensive mechanism.

I hope we can work through this stage of collective grief soon, it's exhausting and can be corrosive when people are on the defensive all the time.

OP needs a bit of compassion for her health issues and her stress. Others need a bit of compassion after years of worry and uncertainty and fear.

We all need a cup of bloody tea and a biscuit.

Thank you. I think I'm too hormonal for all the vitriol on here now 🥲

I'm going to ask for this thread to be removed now. Thank you to those who have offered advice about ventilation etc and reassurance, however I am receiving some rather horrible comments about my ability as a teacher and many people are not actually reading my initial question.
I will wear a mask to protect myself and my unborn baby until I am atleast vaccinated. It also means my partner can visit his father and support his mother. I work tirelessly to ensure the needs of my pupils are met and this was taken into account when my choice of mask use was also made. As many have said I see some of these children for 40 mins per week. I do not wish to be signed off because otherwise they will not have a subject specialist teaching them and I do care about their attainment. Any pupils with SEN have been spoken to individually and know they can contact me at any point with questions or clarifications if the mask leaves them unsure. The pupil whose parent has an issue has no such issues, I spoken to the pupil and they are okay.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion but there is far too much nastiness and trolling on this thread and it needs to end.
I truly hope those of you who have ridiculed me or accused me of mental health issues have went through the pregnancy loss I have and wanted to do anything in their power to protect the wee thing inside you nor have you had to choose to miss many of the key events of your 30s because you were immuno compromised and it was too risky or you didn't want to risk harming or spreading it to family members.

Do not divulge, they have no right to your private information. I'm pissed off for you. I would tell the school that their complaints can go to your line manager as you have answered all of their queries.

You should go on sick leave. You clearly have severe anxiety

What's that got to do with the thread? 🙄

Really? I still wear them in supermarkets, airports/planes and other crowded spaces.

Very best of luck with your pregnancy and beyond OP! You sound like an amazing teacher and I wish my kids had someone like you in their school 😊

Masks offer some protection to others but not to the user.

Op following your update I wish you all the best- honestly just do whatever works best for you and take no notice of anything anyone says on here!
Even though I'm technically against masks per se at the end of the day it's your choice and I'm sorry you've received so much of an attack:(
Best wishes for the rest of your pregnancy x