Baby groups - would you expect to wear a face covering?

[MyCatReallyIsAGit]

Would you attend an indoor baby group where face coverings were optional?

I’m not sure whether I’m being unreasonable or OTT here. I went to a baby group yesterday where masks were optional despite it being an indoor activity. It’s the kind of activity where the babies are moving around and therefore so are the parents - in other words, distancing isn’t really an option. And very few people were wearing masks. In fact, after the leader announced masks were optional, the ones who were wearing them removed them, leaving me as the only person wearing one.

I feel really uncomfortable with this, and not sure if I’m overreacting? Although the space is well-ventilated, it just didn’t feel like a good idea to not be wearing one. I’m not sure what the rationale is behind it, but am wondering whether others would feel the same way and whether it is worth raising it with the organisation, not wearing a mask next time, or just not going back. Any thoughts?

(Just for the record, I’m not a member of the mask police or anything and I absolutely respect that lots of people have valid reasons not to wear them, and may choose not to do so when it’s not mandated, just as others may choose to. I’m just interested in the opinions of others.)

I've been to a baby group since lockdown ended and masks were required. I hated it, my 14 month old was bewildered by it all, couldn't read facial expressions when we were singing songs. It was in the heat of summer and really uncomfortable. I just don't think it's necessary

We've been told we have to wear them when entering the room but once settled on our mats that are 2m apart we can take them off. The girls runningthe class keep them on though which is rubbish when they're singing etc. My baby is only 4 months though so the babies in her class aren't moving around, everyone is on their mat

If it's well ventilated, smaller numbers of people and the purpose is to interact with the babies then I can see why they allowed masks to be optional.

Assuming it's a church hall sort of setting then it's up to the adults to keep a distance they're happy with or wear a mask.

OP, are you in a high risk health category? Have you looked up the statistics on the cases in your area? Age group?

There were about a dozen of us there. It’s a physical activity so lots of stuff to crawl on, etc. Some singing and interaction but the physical side is the point. Hence you can’t really distance if your child is on the move.

We went to another one this week where masks were required but that was the kind of thing where adults stay on their distanced mat, and the leader wore a visor. For that, I would have understood if masks were optional as the adults could distance.

Not high risk, no. Not in a particularly high-risk area either. We’re cautious but living a fairly normal life - DP is still WFH, I’m on mat leave, DC1 is in school, we go to shops when we need to (but get deliveries where possible), visit playgrounds regularly during the holidays/at weekends. We’ve not been eating out but that’s as much to do with having young kids as not feeling confident in view of Covid. I’d say we were at the more cautious end of the spectrum but not at the “wash your shopping” end, if that makes sense.

I’m willing to be told I’m being over-anxious, hence interested in other people’s opinions!

I've only been back to one toddler group so far, it's a dance class, and all the adults except the teacher have to wear masks. I hate it and so does DD, she kept trying to take it off me. I'd happily not wear one/be around others not wearing them, but of course will comply and wear it while it's the rule

I've only been to one and it was in the wear a mask until you're on your mat category. I'm pretty relaxed, DD back in nursery full-time even though I'm on maternity leave, we've been out to eat plenty of times. But I think I would personally prefer masks if there's no distancing between the adults. Bit rubbish at baby activities though I know.

I'd want to wear a mask tbh. It's so hard to keep you all safe if babies are moving around, like you said. It's not fair on those who are more vulnerable.

It would make me feel a bit shit tbh!

Also they get used to masks. As my baby's dr told me, it's going to be more normal that not for their generation.

Toddler DD’s music class is insisting on masks for all adults throughout - tbh I have no idea how it’s all going to work, what with that, the constant sanitising of instruments and all the issues around singing. I hate the idea of having to interact with DD in a mask, and don’t feel the children will get as much out of the class this way, but will of course comply.

The baby version of the class however is allowing parents to go maskless, as they say masks hamper communication (facial expressions etc) at such a young age.

I went to a baby sensory type class yesterday with all parent/baby pairs spaced out on individual mats 2m apart. We had to wear masks, although the person running the class had a visor and one of the mums had brought a visor too.

It was fine - I've not found wearing a mask around my 9 month old to be an issue at all (apart from when he giggles and tries to take it off me ). He seems to still be able to hear and understand my voice and expressions from the top half of my face pretty well - he definitely recognised some of the songs and rhymes that we used in the class.

Are you allowed a visor if you're worried?

Well of course it's necessary. It's an indoor social gathering of more than 6 unrelated people where close proximity is inevitable.

Are people really too stupid to realise this is necessary, particularly as cases are rising?

Will these sort of classes be allowed from next week? It’s an indoor gathering of more than 6 people or do classes not count?

Is this not a legal requirement and not at the whim of the organiser?

I would be happy to wear a mask to a baby group. I work in a nursery baby room and we have to wear masks in certain situations in the day. The babies aren't phased by it at all and some are fascinated by the different patterns on them.

@PinkDaffodil2 baby groups are exempt, presumably because they have to do a risk assessment and put measures in place to deal with the risk of Covid (like making sure adults there wear masks).

Been to one where we had to wear masks until we got to the mats, then if we went to pick up a wandering child. We sang too, that was allowed per the risk assessment. No change under the latest guidance - still allowed to go ahead.

I wouldn’t have gone if it had been masks on the mats to be honest. The whole point is to communicate and have fun with my child and the mask would hamper that.

I’d expect to wear a mask and would be very reluctant to attend if others weren’t in that type of class

Singing is not allowed in baby groups.

@AldiAisleofCrap the lady who runs ours has a risk assessment that clearly states singing is allowed. It’s basically the whole point of the group!

I would only attend if masks were optional, and the place was well ventilated and allowed for SD. I wear a mask where it's a legal requirement and an activity I need to do, but won't choose anything recreational that needs a mask. I also wouldn't want to go if it were cramped even if everyone did have a mask.

We restart DDs music class on Monday and we have been told that adults must where masks. They have also said that the class leader isn't allowed to sing.

@tappitytaptap the lady who runs ours has a risk assessment that clearly states singing is allowed. It’s basically the whole point of the group!
She may have risk assessed it herself but it breaks government guidelines.