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.

Due to a health condition since my teens I have been considered immuno compromised. My pregnancy is considered high risk. I am due in the coming weeks ro get a number of vaccinations to protect me and my baby but until then I feel a mask will potentially reduce my risk slightly. I have explained to the parent I may be willing to dicuss this in 4 weeks after further treatment but they keep going on and insisting the mask goes. Not comparing myself to those who have cancer ( have had it myself ) but just saying other staff members in school have worn masks

From what you have said, you have taken it through the school decision making system and have had it agreed and the children have accepted it. Your health issues are a private matter and the complaining parent has no right to know them BUT are the school supporting you with the complaints? I used to manage in the NHS, not in education but in similar circumstances. I'd have taken HR and Occy health advice but it seems to me that this might come under the heading of "reasonable adjustment" so, if I agreed with your decision, I'd have been telling the person in your position (and the complainant) that complaints should be referred to your manager, and the manager's response would be to say that the situation had been assessed and your behaviour is reasonable. I might spend some time observing so I could say that I had done that and that the children don't appear to be upset by the mask. I get that there might be issues around only seeing a part of your face and that some mitigating measures might be needed. I also think that the effectiveness or not of masks, while an aspect that needs considering is not the only aspect that needs considering.

I actually think, with all due respect to OP, that the over anxiety needs to be reflected upon.

This. It's hard to communicate fully wearing a mask I feel that you are being overly cautious . Good luck with your pregnancy, babies and embryos are tougher than we imagine.

A comprehensive new review published in Clinical Microbiology Reviews provides strong evidence that masks and respirators are effective in reducing the transmission of respiratory infections like COVID-19. The review, conducted by an international team of 13 researchers, analysed over 400 studies from multiple disciplines, including epidemiology, public health, engineering, and social sciences.

'Our review confirms that masks work, with a clear dose-response effect,' said lead author Professor Trisha Greenhalgh from the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford. 'The more consistently and correctly you wear a mask, the better protected you are. Respirators, when worn continuously, provide even greater protection than ordinary masks.'
Masks, including cloth face coverings and disposable medical masks, help reduce the spread of respiratory droplets and aerosols. Respirators, such as N95 and FFP2 devices, are designed to filter out smaller airborne particles and fit more tightly to the face, providing a higher level of protection.

It's none of their business.
Has occupational health got an opinion? Your work shoukd have access to one

With whopping cough rates what they are, I'd wear a mask until your vaccine works too if that's what makes you comfortable

I can guarantee that the majority of posters have not been in a poorly-ventilated, stuffy classroom after a wet lunch with 35 (occasionally unhygienic!) teenagers. Illness is generally inevitable.

I couldn't teach in a mask (delivery of material) but I'd put it on when circulating for live marking, monitoring etc- could this be an option?

Again, you might have included this at the start.
You are drip feeding OP.

I wouldn't let a parent bully me into not wearing one but I would address my health anxiety.

As soon as I seen the post about wearing a mask it was 100% obvious that most people would be commenting "why are you wearing a mask" and I wasn't wrong. The OPs question wasn't about whether she should wear a mask or not, she's already made her choice to wear one. At what point have I tried to shut down a discussion? My opinion is as valid as yours.

It's not health anxiety when you're immunocompromised and in the middle of a high risk pregnancy.

You've labelled people as anti mask when they have made valid points - what's that if not shutting down? 🤔

Mask wearing means that the children can't see your mouth when when you speak. It impacts children's learning because it impacts communication. Honestly I think if you are so worried about getting sick for your health you should go to your Dr and get signed off for your pregnancy instead.

Would an air filter in your classroom help to ease your mind. They had them at IKEA this week and I considered one for my classrooom. You could place it nearest to where you teach from… ie near your desk/board and this might give you some peace of mind?

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/cat/air-purifiers-49081/

This is drip feed info though, many replies were pre-drip.

I know how scary it is to be pregnant and fear covid, having been pregnant during the height of the pandemic. The anxiety is real.

But you have immunity now since you caught it so recently. Immunity to covid lasts around a year - enough to see you through the rest of your pregnancy. You've basically had the very best vaccine mother nature can offer. So I hope that offers some comfort.

That said I think the parent is a dickhead. This is what? The first time you've done this since wearing face masks stopped in 2021? Surely they can appreciate whatever is going on is temporary?

The kids are in high school, not infants meaning they aren't developmentally suffering from not seeing your facial expressions and you're the only teacher doing it.

I can't imagine being so overly precious about my teenage child that I would complain to a school about ONE teacher temporarily wearing a mask for medical reasons. I really hope your Head is backing you and the kid gets moved. While the kid may seem OK in class - they're going home every night and saying something, aren't they? Otherwise the parent wouldn't be continually complaining.

When I think of the times I begged my Mum when she wanted to complain about a teacher when I was a teen...... - and I was mortified and would beg her not too. Quickly learnt - don't tell my Mum xyz she'll want to complain.

Keep wearing it, if only to prove - your body - your choice!

She has said that she is immune suppressed. I don't think that anxiety over that needs to be reflected on.

For the sake of her metal wellbeing wearing a mask for a few months will not have as much impact on her students learning than her not being there.

Yes teaching in a mask does have an impact on learning, but the teacher being there and feeling safe would have a greater impact.

We are in a recruitment crisis in school. If wearing a mask makes a teacher feel better and to be in school, then let them wear a mask!

Most schools do not have enough staff for September. Mine included. If a member of my staff wanted to wear a mask while pregnant and high risk I would fully support them. I would also support any of my children's teachers in their decision to wear a mask if it keeps them present.

This.

Yes they do.

She has drip fed the immunosuppressed part - it came AFTER anxiety related comments.
Masks impact teaching, there's no arguing around that.

Did your doctor actively advise you (without you asking) that you should wear a mask?

At the rate you're drip feeding i I'm suspecting that you'll say yes, whether they did or not, as you're determined not to accept any other opinion.

Labelling comments anti mask isn't shutting it down! It's an opinion. Has everyone suddenly stopped commenting and the thread been shut down? It's an opinion ffs, just like yours. It's just as valid.

Which country are you in? It's August so there are no lessons in the UK.

My thoughts exactly. It does seem there's some health anxiety going on here.

Maybe she will drip feed that it's not her first pregnancy.