Seriously worried about this requirement from school

[Acdcccc]

Just got this message from my DC school off the back of local council stipulations and am really concerned.

I have no issue wearing a mask so please don't lump me in with the anti - mask brigade but this instruction seems really short sighted.

My immediate thought is when a kid removes their mask it is more than likely going to be damp and placing this damp cloth in a zip lock bag for an undefined period of time is bound to multiply bacteria on said mask.

What kind of impact is this likely to have on kids health?

[enjoyingscience]

@Scottishgirl85 - same here. Also a scientist. You’d have to be dreadfully fragile to come to any harm reusing a mask at either end of the day. All this shrieking about mask germs is just nonsense.

[FinnyStory]

It's not either end of the day though is it? In high risk areas it's when they move around school as well and what we're seeing here, is masks worn by some groups as fashion items, which is allowed if you say masks may be worn voluntarily, so they really are on and off constantly.

If the risk isn't high, the concern has been caused by the fact that we keeping being told it is!

[dinofan]

The headteacher at my son's school is saying he won't let him on the school bus without a mask, even though my DS has explained how very distressed it made him

I emailed the head, the head says I should just force him. Amazing

And this was after I posted him a link to the relevant DfE web page

www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools#dedicated-school-transport-including-statutory-provision

www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-travel-guidance-for-passengers#legitimate-reasons-not-to-wear-a-face-covering

if putting on, wearing or removing a face covering would cause you severe distress

Whatever ever happened to supporting student's mental health needs?

Surely him saying "make your own way" and ignoring gov guidelines is illegal?

[Porridgeoat]

More hygienic to shove it in an unused pocket unbagged

[eaglejulesk]

All these mask threads have me seriously puzzled. I keep a mask in my bag, wear it when required, store it back in bag, and probably remember to wash it every few days. Seriously what is the problem? And I'm a scientist

We need more people like you @Scottishgirl85. Some of these threads are just bonkers!