Schools going back are you wearing a mask on school runs

[Watford1990]

I'd just like to know if your planning on wearing a face covering on doing the school runs whem they kids go back in 2/3weeks time. I'm starting to feel incredibly anxious about it all with the latest rise of cases and people not social distancing!!!! Everyone acting like theres nothing wrong in the world!!! We strongly feel that were not out of the safe zone. We've been very much at home and social distancing still with all family and friends . ...

The school my kids go to is small and how they have planned it into 4 smaller groups so that all 250 pupils will go back within 4 x10 min different time slots at drop off and pick up. That will be 62ish kids going in/out with parents all together through one way in and out another I just can't see how this is going to work social distancing mainly with the adults as they all hang around and natter and I'm really getting concerned about it.
Considering whether i should be wearing a face mask.

Kids will be in reception and year 2 (when daughter was in year 1 she went back for the few weeks and it was really good but there was only 8 kids going in at once and so wasn't overcrowded...... please your views???

I am considering it... But reassured that there have been no positive tests in the whole town for the past week (and surrounding area). DD1 is dropped off in playground... Quite a large area. DD2 is a smaller area and we have to queue.. not sure it's 60m long (2 classes on what is usually the fire access road to the back of the school). Will see how it goes.

What arrant nonsense strawberrysenga- plenty of people are still socially distancing and know the virus is a threat. Several cities and towns are on lockdown!

I won't be unless the school tell us we have to.

No I won’t be

I’m presuming the pick-up/drop-off you describe is outside? If so, and if my interaction with other parents was brief, I’m think the risk would be very low.

I think you just do whatever makes you feel most comfortable.

I won't be wearing a mask outside. But I know a fair few families with conditions that will make them more vulnerable and some that have been shielding. I don't have the energy to the desire to start judging on them on their own risk assessments.

@IveSeenThings

What arrant nonsense strawberrysenga- plenty of people are still socially distancing and know the virus is a threat. Several cities and towns are on lockdown!

They were being sarcastic. They were suggesting that the op was coming across as superior, and that she categorically isn't alone in having concerns.

If wearing a mask helps, wear one op.

Not while walking but in the playground, yes.

I would wear a mask on any trip outside atm where there is likely to be lots of people all quite close.

Only fleeting contact but who knows what unexpected coughs, sneezes and loud shouts might suddenly be in your face!

It’s something that will feel less and less weird I think like a new pair of glasses order of braces. I tell the kids to make sure they’re smiling in theirs so people can see their happy eyes 👀

We have had cases in our town and the neighbouring town is in discussions with a local lockdown.

I have unfortunalty lost my auntie and best friend to this terrible virus so no I definelty do not agree with "it's nonsense" .

I also have read the science and done my research about fave coverings.

I also am not the only person who thinks the virus is still a threat . What an absolutely stupid response.

Mask wearing on the school run so you don’t catch it from other parents would seem pretty pointless when your child is going to be mixing as normal with their children for 6 hours...

@lifeafter50

After your comment I thought I’d do a quick search for the “science” given I had understood that the scientific community was largely in favour, and, lo and behold, that’s exactly what I found. Here’s one:

www.healthline.com/health-news/the-simple-science-behind-why-masks-work#Growing-evidence-supports-mask-effectiveness

Of course, there isn’t 100% consensus amongst every scientist - there rarely is in anything - and you can find an “expert“ to support whatever view you want to hold somewhere on the Internet, but to dismissively say the “masks are pointless, read the science” is just plain wrong - ridiculous even. The very most you can reasonably say is that you believe that the minority of scientists that are sceptical about masks are correct.

I’d wager that you’d already decided that masks are pointless and have sought out articles that merely serve to reinforce what you want to believe.

I hadnt thought about it but now you mention it that does seem sensible and considerate of more at risk families and teachers. Its not pointless because its all about minimising risk we cant totally avoid passing it on but we can minimise risks to people where we can. i think Id have one round my neck and then if heading to close contact areas of if the teacher needs to have a word Id put it up quickly, as I would if walking somewhere that got busy. I think its polite and no bother.

No, I am not. Transmission outdoors is low.

@Hmmph

Mask wearing on the school run so you don’t catch it from other parents would seem pretty pointless when your child is going to be mixing as normal with their children for 6 hours...

This misconception crops up again and again, that there is no point a parent doing anything due to pupils being in school together.

Parent-parent transfer should be avoided where possible.

No I won't, the risk outside is tiny. Very low number of cases in my area now, school have said drop and go no milling around, children will be dropped at the gate, not in the playground staggered across half hour.

I don't hang around as I drive to straight to work in a huge secondary school so I'm more worried about that I'm not actually worried at all I'm being sarcastic

I likely will. Seems courteous to, and I’ll be heading straight for the bus after drop off where I’ll need it anyway.

Mask wearing on the school run so you don’t catch it from other parents would seem pretty pointless when your child is going to be mixing as normal with their children for 6 hours...

That’s what i thought initially, but thinking about it further, primary children aren’t thought to be particularly susceptible or infectious, whereas their parents will be.

(Only if they are infected or course)

I won't be, but as my primary child will be in year 6 we have been asked to send them to school alone and have them walk home alone. I will be leaving/meeting her half way so I won't be in the crowd.
I am a TA at a different school where parents will be dropping/collecting in the playground a class at a time, I would probably wear one if that was the case, as I look at it come october I would normally have my face tucked in a scarf anyway so wearing a mask will feel less of a hassle/ more people will be inclined to do so, outside as we move in to winter.

No...I drop off outside why would I need to? Plus they're staggering drop offs and picks up, I never get within 2m of another parent when doing drop off? I like to hover at the back unsociably, Covid or not

No. It is outside. I don’t tend to get up close and personal with parents on the school run anyway, so I don’t intend to now either.

It seems quite sensible actually. The younger children are supposed to magically not spread the illness and staff dont have to social distance from children, but its recognised staff can transmit to each other. So i imagine lots of parents huddled together is a risk.