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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to want to wear a mask again in my classroom

487 replies

EmsHugs · 19/08/2024 08:05

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.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
Werweisswohin · 19/08/2024 08:25

LividSummers · 19/08/2024 08:23

Parent is a dick. Ignore and don’t respond. Probably have some antivax mandate and it’s riling them up.

If you’re wearing a proper mask, properly, and taking all other precautions then crack on.

If you had to go sick and they had cover teachers they’d be complaining about that.

I'm not antivax but also not sure there's much point in a basic mask tbh.
If it's a proper mask with filters then I can understand some pupils and other staff also finding that a challenge.

JLou08 · 19/08/2024 08:26

Wearing a mask isn't going to stop you catching anything. Covering your face is not productive for teaching. If you insist on wearing a mask despite it not giving you any protection and getting in the way of you teaching maybe a transparent mask would be an option.

Firenzeflower · 19/08/2024 08:26

Sorry I think the parent is right. Wash your hands and get your jabs but masks are simply not appropriate.

Moonopoly · 19/08/2024 08:27

@Werweisswohin it’s just a regular looking mask but it has superior filters. It’s not a space suit

Keepingongoing · 19/08/2024 08:27

Also, there are portable air purifiers which may offer protection though I’m guessing you’d have to buy and supply it yourself.

Moonopoly · 19/08/2024 08:27

@Jjiillkkf My link shows the research done recently

Werweisswohin · 19/08/2024 08:28

Moonopoly · 19/08/2024 08:27

@Werweisswohin it’s just a regular looking mask but it has superior filters. It’s not a space suit

Did I say is was a spacesuit?
Any barrier over the mouth hinders teaching.

Keepingongoing · 19/08/2024 08:29

Werweisswohin · 19/08/2024 08:25

I'm not antivax but also not sure there's much point in a basic mask tbh.
If it's a proper mask with filters then I can understand some pupils and other staff also finding that a challenge.

Edited
Show quote history

The FFP2 mask, which offers the wearer more protection, looks very similar to a basic mask.

Sweetteaplease · 19/08/2024 08:30

Also, she'll just be voicing what the other parents are thinking. One teacher often wears a mask at my sons pre-school and it really pisses the parents off, but everyone is afraid to say something

Original poster
EmsHugs · 19/08/2024 08:30

It is a medical grade mask. I am aware it will not possibly stop much but it is offering me a little protection. None of my pupils have hearing loss, I went through our support system and checked this prior. There is a precedent of mask use in the schoon my school we taught with masks on for over a year. Two colleagues who had cancer and were immuno compromised also wore masks at points even last year. As stated I spoke to all my classes prior and asked pupils to message me if they had any queries or questions. Several pupils in some of the classes also wear masks.

OP posts:
Werweisswohin · 19/08/2024 08:30

Keepingongoing · 19/08/2024 08:29

The FFP2 mask, which offers the wearer more protection, looks very similar to a basic mask.

Show quote history

I'm familiar with masks, thanks.
They're not conducive to good teaching.

Chickoletta · 19/08/2024 08:30

I sympathise but think that YABU. As others have said, masks really don’t protect you very much but they do present a serious barrier for many children in the classroom. I’m a teacher and found it almost impossible to teach in a mask as it is hard to be heard and also prevents us using our facial expressions to communicate fully. I’m also the parent of a child with hearing loss and know that DD would find this very difficult.
If you can’t get yourself signed off, I think you’ll just have to be very scrupulous with hygiene, boost your immune system as much as possible with antenatal vitamins and crack on.

YellowphantGrey · 19/08/2024 08:30

If you're that high risk that your job is at risk of affecting your pregnancy, shouldn't you be off sick?

It can't be pleasant having to wear a mask each time you're out of the house and not be able to remove it. Is your Husband struggling to wear one too? What have his job said about him wearing one?

OakTree16 · 19/08/2024 08:31

If Covid never happened would you have even considered wearing a mask in these circumstances? You’d be better off opening the windows or getting an air purifier.

RobinHood19 · 19/08/2024 08:31

What kind of mask are you wearing? I’m all for protecting ourselves if we so choose, but make sure it’s the highest-grade equipment you can find at least, otherwise they’re really useless at protecting the wearer.

BippityBopper · 19/08/2024 08:32

I can't breathe well in masks. I'd be more concerned about air flow and oxygen whilst pregnant. I'd personally feel mask wearing wouldn't be good for the baby.

Werweisswohin · 19/08/2024 08:32

EmsHugs · 19/08/2024 08:30

It is a medical grade mask. I am aware it will not possibly stop much but it is offering me a little protection. None of my pupils have hearing loss, I went through our support system and checked this prior. There is a precedent of mask use in the schoon my school we taught with masks on for over a year. Two colleagues who had cancer and were immuno compromised also wore masks at points even last year. As stated I spoke to all my classes prior and asked pupils to message me if they had any queries or questions. Several pupils in some of the classes also wear masks.

It might have been helpful to add this at the start.
You realise that being pregnant isn't quite the same as having cancer/undergoing cancer treatment in terms of risk, right?

Sirzy · 19/08/2024 08:33

EmsHugs · 19/08/2024 08:30

It is a medical grade mask. I am aware it will not possibly stop much but it is offering me a little protection. None of my pupils have hearing loss, I went through our support system and checked this prior. There is a precedent of mask use in the schoon my school we taught with masks on for over a year. Two colleagues who had cancer and were immuno compromised also wore masks at points even last year. As stated I spoke to all my classes prior and asked pupils to message me if they had any queries or questions. Several pupils in some of the classes also wear masks.

I’m guessing your not in the U.K. as mask use doesn’t seem to be commonplace here anymore (thankfully!)

and it’s not just pupils with hearing loss that may struggle. Your approach to a parent raising concerns suggests pupils concerns wouldn’t be listened to anyway!

Moonopoly · 19/08/2024 08:34

‘Multiple layers of fabric improve efficiency in a roughly linear fashion, meaning triple-layer cloth masks are up to 30% efficient, but this is still poor in comparison with the material used for FFP2 masks, which is typically more than 90% efficient.’

From the study I shared. For those saying ‘not effective’ I’m not discussing the impact on teaching but I’m saying not a counter argument to say it’s not effective anyway so don’t wear it

Marellaspirit · 19/08/2024 08:34

If I was in your class I would struggle to learn anything as I have hearing loss and rely on lip reading. I understand your anxiety, but I think in your job you need to think about how this might affect your students.

Whoopsmahoot · 19/08/2024 08:35

Do a saline nasal wash after every school day- viruses hate salt- it will drastically reduce your chances of catching anything. Better than masks which unless to a very high standard are worthless.

foodforclouds · 19/08/2024 08:36

Whoopsmahoot · 19/08/2024 08:35

Do a saline nasal wash after every school day- viruses hate salt- it will drastically reduce your chances of catching anything. Better than masks which unless to a very high standard are worthless.

By the end of the day won’t really help - it will have made it’s way through the respiratory system and beyond by then, no?

BrownBirdWelcomesWhiteWave · 19/08/2024 08:36

EmsHugs · 19/08/2024 08:30

It is a medical grade mask. I am aware it will not possibly stop much but it is offering me a little protection. None of my pupils have hearing loss, I went through our support system and checked this prior. There is a precedent of mask use in the schoon my school we taught with masks on for over a year. Two colleagues who had cancer and were immuno compromised also wore masks at points even last year. As stated I spoke to all my classes prior and asked pupils to message me if they had any queries or questions. Several pupils in some of the classes also wear masks.

When you say "medical grade" do you mean the blue paper style one? or the FFP style?

saraclara · 19/08/2024 08:36

Two colleagues who had cancer and were immuno compromised also wore masks at points even last year.

That is an entirely different situation. I can't believe you think that your situation is comparable.

I'm a teacher, and I think it's really difficult to teach effectively with a mask. A huge amount of non-verbal communication is lost. And if you think children are going to be honest and tell you if they have a problem with it, either with understanding your muffled voice without the lip reading hint, or they just find it unnerving, you're entirely wrong. Even confident adult colleagues are unlikely to dare say anything

StarryDance · 19/08/2024 08:36

You could catch anything from your other children so a bit pointless wearing a mask for work.