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.

I think if it makes you more comfortable to wear a mask it perfectly reasonable to do so. However, I would be careful not to use it as a substitute for good hand hygiene etc (not trying to sound patronising - I say this as a woman who caught a virus that harmed my then unborn child).

I would also say, though, that if you're teaching 500 kids it's more than likely at least 10+ of those have hearing loss to some degree (diagnosed/undiagnosed/declared/undeclared etc) so I think it would be prudent to use a clear mask to aid lip reading.
You may potentially find that the child is getting anxious at you wearing a mask because they're not fully understanding you but don't realise that just yet. Also, masks with clear panels in are less intimidating in general, so maybe it's a compromise?

Thank you for the responses. Forgot many people don't always read the updates. Yes it has gone through the whole reasonable adjustments process especially as I was high risk and prior to the summer there was a covid outbreak and whooping cough outbreak. My school is very supportive, as have my pupils it is just think one parent who has been relentless. To those who think I should be off sick or care little for my pupils. The aim of the mask is to keep me in school and teaching. There are no supply teachers for my specialism in my district, so they would just have a general supply teacher. I understand the mask is not ideal but I feel this allows me to keep teaching. The OP was never actually about the mask but whether I should have to divulge to the parent why I am choosing to wear one. This parent is concerned about their child which is fine but I believe after 3 failed rounds of IVf, 2 miscarriages and a baby who died at 20 weeks, I have every right to do what I can to protect my child, especially until I can get my prebirth vaccinations

It's an opinion attempting to belittle or shutdown another view, or to encourage other posters to think a certain way.

You absolutely have the right to privacy. The parent is a dick and I hope their child never decides to travel to Japan. They will not be able to cope as wearing a mask is a fairly normal occurrence there and was in place well before covid.

Updates aka drip feed aka important info which would possibly have influenced responses.

Unless the child is deaf and needs to lip read, I really can't understand the agro. They are at high school, so went through covid- were masks were everywhere, it's hardly reception class, were it's new.

You are aware how densely populated Japan is?

You need to speak to your doctor and get actual medical advice.

It's bad teaching practice to wear a mask as you won't be heard as clearly (regardless of students with hearing impairments). I doubt the ones complaining are the only ones unhappy about it.

Your health anxiety appears to be the main concern so you need to get that under control.

What’s your point?

It is not intentional. I cannot see how to update the OP. The question was also about whether or not to wear a mask but if I should have to disclose to the parent why

Sorry but I wouldn't be happy either as my son would really struggle to understand you and I don't think pregnancy is enough of a reason to wear a mask? I don't think any maternity consultants would even recommend one either.

At secondary school you are not in the children's faces like a primary teacher. Open your windows wide, maintain a good distance and clean your hands and surfaces if you are that nervous.

Much closer proximity to each other, hence mask use.

So being immuno-insert-drip-feed-here-compromised can't lead to having health anxiety then? You know, being irrationally afraid you might catch something because you are immunocompromised?

YANBU. I don't think people realise how stressful teaching children while pregnant is at the moment. It's been a constant stream of COVID, flu, whooping cough, strep, slapped cheek and you get told the risks as a pregnant person (and for many, including COVID, it's miscarriage and still birth) but given absolutely nothing to protect you except maybe a mask or taking maternity leave months early. I had a baby in 2022 and was still wearing a mask in class, with the support of my head teacher. I just lost my 4th baby in July at 19 weeks and while it wasn't related to any of the many illnesses going around school, that was my first worry. When a child came in visibly ill, I was offered a mask or to not work with them by the head teacher (this term I worked in pupil support so that was easier to manage, but more than once children developed slapped cheek symptoms after I'd been sat beside them in a small room for half an hour). Your baby comes first. Saying all that, do you have a risk assessment? It might be worth asking for a meeting with your head teacher to see what other measures can be put in place to protect you.

If you're missing out vital info in you're opening post then it's going to affect replies.

Still don’t see how this is pertaining to the child’s (parents’!) anxiety around mask use.

I don’t think potential impact on a high risk pregnancy is the same as having a health anxiety. Having had a high risk pregnancy, of course you’re anxious and posters implying this is mh and an issue have clearly never been told your baby may not make it to term. I’d be doing all I could to protect the baby even if it means a few weeks of mask wearing. I’d just let the parent know it’s temporary due to health… wait until they find out you’ve gone in mat leave, they’ll lose their mind.

Long term teaching with a mask isn’t fair on the dc but short term I’m sure they’ll adapt, likely better than the parents.

OP has already said that the windows do not open and the ventilation relies on recirculated air.

Some of these comments 🙄 Have some empathy and respect for the OP!

Some parents are so entitled and have ridiculous expectations of teachers. Your child's feelings do not trump those of their teacher. Masks were worn in schools throughout the pandemic and teaching was adapted and continued.

If my child had an issue with a mask wearing teacher I would explain that there will be a good reason and to respect their choice.

Absolutely not. It’s your private medial information. Nobody has the right to demand you disclose it.

I don’t think a mask will protect you - it’s to protect others from you. However, if your doctor recommends that you wear it, I suggest you tell the parent and anyone else concerned that it’s for a medical reason. You don’t have to be more explicit.

Surely any brave soul going into teaching knows that schools = haven for every horrific bug known to man, though?

Honestly get a grip. You're all over this thread quoting everyone with something to say about everything. The post isn't about whether OP should wear a mask, but most of you have made it about that. No point in you responding to this one as I won't be answering you again, it's tiring 💤.

We did in our school.

Of course nobody can demand medical info.
They can expect effective teaching though - a mask is definitely a potential hindrance to that.