Anyone think masks will need to be worn in school?

[Deardonkey]

As we are going to need to wear masks in more places from 8th August I was thinking about schools.
Does anyone else think they will be compulsory at secondary schools if they go back in September ?
I worry for my DS as he has ASD and other special needs, mask will make it difficult for him to both understand and be understood.

The unions have been calling for it but WITHOUT consulting their members. Heads have been told they will face legal action if they try and implement mask wearing.

Children and young people are not at risk and there has not been a single case globally where a schoolchild has passed it to an adult.

We need to get this in perspective and stop inflicting unnecessary measures on children to appease adults who don't understand basic risk.

My sons Head has already said that students can wear masks if they wish.

My friend works at a primary school in Berkshire. Staff have been issued with school masks if they wish to wear them. Apparently some of the children were wearing them before the school broke up, even though not compulsory for them. I've noticed more children around here wearing masks in shops, outside, might be pressure from parents, not wanting to feel different or a fashion accessory.

I live in am Asian country and it is compulsory for all children over 2 years old to wear masks at school. All day except PE and eating. Its tough for them. I hope it can be avoided in the UK
I teach out here and the masks are very restrictive to progress. Tbh the kids have mostly got used to them and just wear them, but it's not great.

Fantasisa that is a bare faced lie which has been shouted down on dozens of threads. Teachers in Sweden died of Covid complications. A huge outbreak in Israel was directly linked to the decision to remove masks in schools due to a heatwave. Masks and social distancing from age 11 up are the only ways to keep any kind of education system going for the next few months. The sooner people get their heads round this the better.

Our school is allowed masks if they wish, but only disposable and have to be new daily.

I think it's ridiculous to wear masks in schools. They are extremely uncomfortable, not to mention expensive, not to mention LESS hygienic unless they are never taken off/ diposed of correctly etc. etc. They are already creating year group bubbles, which will impact on science lessons and other classes which require specialist rooms. They are already having very restrcited P.E. Masks seems quite unnecessary when the bubbles are in place. It's different to shops or cinema where you are close to random strangers all the time.

Berlin here - and it'll be mandatory in corridors or tight places at least and voluntary everywhere else. School starts back on the 10th so we'll see. DS is "Sek II"

Teachers have died in this country too. And students now have long term health issues. COVID is dangerous to all.

If we are allowed, I think my Head will say we can wear them - or even push for everyone to. She is taking the whole thing incredibly seriously which is great. Can’t say I want to wear a mask all day to teach but it’s probably better than the alternative.

Prokupa - here there will be little movement as each year group has a block of the school (my 2 local secondaries, children going to Y7 and Y10 in different schools, but similar rules). It will be more like primary where you are taught in a single classroom and only move for lessons which are 'set'. Each year group has its own classrooms and no other year is allowed in it. It must be a nightmare for timetabling.

@MerryMarigold but exam years will have to move around into different classrooms as they do different subjects. And ours will arrive and leave on buses - carrying all year groups. Bubbles are a farce at secondary schools.

@MerryMarigold your schools sound really good. DS is going into year 8, rather than teaching in his form group they have split his year in to two groups of four forms. Each group has been put into three streams so the four forms will be mixing classes throughout the day. They could have prevented mixing but have chosen to carry on as normal timetable wise.

I'm a primary school teacher and I hope not.

It's not the only reason, but I'm partially deaf and it would make hearing and understanding pupils incredibly hard.

I am assuming they will have a science room for y10, one for y11, one for y12 and one for y13. I'm not sure how they will manage IT as this probably covers too many years. Other classes (exam or not) will not move so say you are doing English A level, you may do it in a History or Maths room if this is your block.

@Fantasisa

The unions have been calling for it but WITHOUT consulting their members. Heads have been told they will face legal action if they try and implement mask wearing.

Children and young people are not at risk and there has not been a single case globally where a schoolchild has passed it to an adult.

We need to get this in perspective and stop inflicting unnecessary measures on children to appease adults who don't understand basic risk.

"Children and young people are not at risk and there has not been a single case globally where a schoolchild has passed it to an adult."

This is an incorrect statement. Look on Dr Zoe Hyde's twitter page. You will see the evidence amongst her numerous posts that shows that your statement is incorrect.

I really hope they aren't mandatory and by choice if needs to be. I get really flustered in shops wearing a mask i can't wait to get out of there, I'd hate to think I needed to sit in one all day and learn and concentrate at the same time feeling uncomfortable and flustered. I wouldn't want it for myself so wouldn't want it for my dc either.

@Fantasisa

The unions have been calling for it but WITHOUT consulting their members. Heads have been told they will face legal action if they try and implement mask wearing.

Children and young people are not at risk and there has not been a single case globally where a schoolchild has passed it to an adult.

We need to get this in perspective and stop inflicting unnecessary measures on children to appease adults who don't understand basic risk.

Nobody can say that there has not been a single case globally where a school child has passed it to an adult.

They are mandatory in my US state for all dc over 2.
My dc will be wearing them in school, I'm not sure how they are going to manage with them on all day to be honest.

I hope not. Compulsory masks in school will tip the balance back to my DC being better off learning at home.

My DH is a secondary teacher and doesn't think it would be good to wear masks in school. If I was in his position, I wouldn't wear one while social distancing was possible (eg, teacher at the front of the room as much as possible), but might want to use one for close conversations or other circumstances where a 2 metre distance couldn't be kept.

Children and young people are not at risk and there has not been a single case globally where a schoolchild has passed it to an adult.

Citation needed.
In other words, what bollocks.
Can you explain to me the physical difference between a school child of 15 and an adult? Why would they not pass on the virus?

Can you explain to me the physical difference between a school child of 15 and an adult? Why would they not pass on the virus?

Yes, do please tell us what the difference is between 15 year olds and the 18 year olds at Oxford University who contracted and transmitted the virus within their college? Wh a difference a couple of years must make!

There is a massive difference between 4/5 year D's in Reception/P1 and 17/18yos in their final exam years. Since in normal workplaces an 18yo would need to be 2m apart from colleagues, it does seem a bit ludicrous that a group of teenagers can spend several hours mixing in relatively small rooms. It may be a measure needed to keep older pupils and teachers safe.
Primary schools and secondary schools are different environments and need to be looked at seperately.

Masks become mandatory in museums, galleries and cinemas from Aug 8, surely it is almost certain that this would be extended to schools. It is clear today that schools opening is the number one priority, and can only do so with the 1 metre plus masks advice. Fully expect pubs, for example, to be closed to allow schools to open. As always Chris Whitty is clear on the direction of travel, Boris now appears to be listening.

Primary schools and secondary schools are different environments and need to be looked at separately.

I completely agree. The sad thing is that year 1 children (5/6 years old) are expected to follow the exact same rules as a 14 year old. That means desks in rows all facing forwards.

@FlamingoAndJohn

Primary schools and secondary schools are different environments and need to be looked at separately.

I completely agree. The sad thing is that year 1 children (5/6 years old) are expected to follow the exact same rules as a 14 year old. That means desks in rows all facing forwards.

my youngest went back in June (reception will be y1 in September) the desks had been set out like this it did not phase him one bit. Were upset because we know what the classroom "should" be like, they're not because they are reslilant and just accept the way it is. Have faith in the teachers they will still making it as exciting and fun as they can.