Will your 2yo wear a face mask?

[Molocosh]

The government has said that children aged two and over need to wear face masks. Will your 2yo wear a mask?

A friend posted the government advice and I commented that my toddler won’t even keep his hat, socks or trousers on never mind a mask. Loads of people including the friend piled on and said I’m an inadequate parent and if I can’t make my child wear a mask he shouldn’t be allowed out in public. I’m not looking forward to going out because people have openly admitted that they plan to confront anyone not wearing a mask. One person said their child also has SEN so if she can be persuaded to wear a mask then anyone can. Others liked his post and said that children or people with SEN who won’t wear a mask should be “locked up” to protect everyone else. I really despair if this is people’s attitude and I’m really worried they’re going to get nasty when my DS inevitably won’t keep a mask on.

Surely 2 is still considered a very young child, I'd suggest that goes up to 4 or 5 at least no?

Masks are mandatory on public transport from 15th June. The government has said that face coverings should not be used by children under the age of two.

www.islandecho.co.uk/red-funnel-will-refuse-travel-if-passengers-dont-wear-face-coverings/
Already some transport operators have said they will refuse travel to anyone not wearing a face mask. There are some exemptions for disability or breathing difficulties, but not for a NT toddler who simply won’t keep a mask on.

news.sky.com/story/amp/coronavirus-plans-for-mandatory-face-coverings-dont-go-far-enough-doctors-say-12000768
The British Medical Association has said that’s not sufficient and people should have to wear face masks everywhere. This view appears to be widely supported by people I know, who are saying they’ll challenge anyone not wearing a mask and they don’t agree with the permitted exemptions - there seems to be a widespread view that if someone won’t wear a mask they shouldn’t be permitted out in public.

A friend posted the government advice

Can you share it here please? I can't find anything about masks applying to children over 2.

Something that is covering my 2.5yr olds small airways with a mask? Get the fuck outta here. No thanks.

Ridiculousness. I will not be making my 2 toddlers wear a mask.

Not in a million years will my 2 year old be wearing a face mask. As far as I’m aware other countries haven’t insisted on this - even those like Spain who have been pretty draconian in other ways - and I’d like to think our government has enough common sense to recognise that it won’t work (and in many ways would be cruel).

I’m not especially keen on masks in general, but I’d say realistically 5 and upwards would be more workable. Imo the child needs to have a full, rational understanding of why they’re being made to wear one.

My 5 Yr old won't. He's terrified if them, its a good job we don't need to use public transport 😔

Well, let them challenge away!

They didn't say a mask like the ones in hospital, they said any form of face covering over nose and mouth. A bright scarf or a bandana would do. Make a 'fun' kids face mask that just happens to be made of thin material not card, get them to pretend they are a super hero. Still not saying it would be easy but might help. Keep raincover over pram or pushchair if it's not too hot?

It's age 6+ in Germany; kids I've seen are coping perfectly

Here, mouth & nose coverings are only compulsory (for kids & adults) in shops, taxis, public transport, stations and anywhere else that the 1.m social distancing cannot be maintained

Just for ordinary walks outside masks are not comulsory
(except possibly in certain locations where there is a new local outbreak)

They are optional in schools for staff and pupils
and kids don't seem at all bothered seeing masks

1.5m

The article my friend posted was from a fortnight ago. Looks like the government has subsequently changed their advice to exempt children under three from wearing masks (previously it was children under two).

I'm sure British kids can cope just as well as kids on the continent

My DS won’t wear one. He has autism but I assume he’d be exempt anyway

The Uk govt is being very cautious
afaik, the rest of Europe isn't requiring kids under 6 to wear these

Will this be an actual law , or something that BJ and Cummings will tell everyone later is only for the stupid lesser beings ?

It’s age two in some US states.

There's no chance my almost 2 year old would wear a mask, I can barely get him to keep his shoes on and hats/gloves etc don't stand a cat in hell's chance!

The government advice published today (staying safe outdoors) says masks should not be worn by children under 2 or anyone who may not be able to manage them correctly.

"Very young" children are exempt. Toddlers are as young as children come so are exempt!

It’s not going to work and for many young children will be dangerous. When my 1 year old was symptomatic, they tried to put a mask on her in A&E and then the nurse gave up after about 15 seconds as it was clearly not going to work. My 4 year old probably could be made to keep it on but she can barely keep a hat on so I’d suspect she’d mess around with it, pull on it, chew on it thereby making it pointless.

The advice has since changed and it is now children under the age of 3 and not 2 as previously recommended.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering

“Face coverings should not be used by children under the age of 2 or those who may find it difficult to manage them correctly. For example, primary age children unassisted, or those with respiratory conditions.“

pennylane83 I still think 3 is borderline for making a child keep a mask on. 2 was quite frankly ridiculous - the person who came up with that idea has obviously never had a 2 year old!

I'm sure British kids can cope just as well as kids on the continent

3 year olds on the continent aren't being expected to wear a mask though.

"Others liked his post and said that children or people with SEN who won’t wear a mask should be “locked up” to protect everyone else."

To thick to realise that people with disabilities such as autism are probably less likely to be infectious because they are less likely to be meeting up in large groups having barbecues and house parties.