Being asked to wear a mask on playground at school pickup

[CovidChristmas]

Just had an email from primary school to say only one person allowed to pick up and they must wear a mask. It seems to have come from our local council so I am wondering if this is the case in other areas.
I have to say it seems a bit much as we are all outdoors, spaced out and we already have a staggered kick out time.

[onedayinthefuture]

@loulouljh

It makes no sense. How are they going to see which parent is which with a mask on? It is a massive safeguarding risk. You are also outside. I would be saying that no I will not be wearing the mask thank you.

I have to wear a mask on school pickup. Because of the rain we're all wearing masks and hoods so the teacher is having a hard time recognising us and is asking what child we are there for. My DS then walks out straight past me looking very confused because even he didn't recognise me. Even if there is a queuing system now, I find it more chaotic because we seem to be hanging around for so much longer. I'm pretty sure my 5 year old would make it know if some stranger tried to take him but in all honesty.... it very much concerns me.

[Marisishidinginmyattic]

At my sons school all parents are to line up (socially distancing of course) outside on the pavement and children are taken in from the gate by the class teacher. We have never been allowed onto school grounds.

I like that idea. Our school wouldn't be able to do that though because there's no space for parents to wait outside of the school grounds properly.

[happymummy12345]

I don't see why it's a big deal? I think it should have been compulsory from the day schools went back.
Also I'm surprised how many are still able to go in playgrounds. At my sons school all parents are to line up (socially distancing of course) outside on the pavement and children are taken in from the gate by the class teacher. We have never been allowed onto school grounds.

[justanotherneighinparadise]

Tangent aside I think the key to mask wearing long term is to find a style that is actually comfortable. For most people we feel hobbled which is why we’re resistant. We understand the whys and we want to follow procedures but we also need to be able to see and speak.

I stand in a long snaking queue of people constantly touching their faces. Pulling the masks up, lifting the bottom to be heard. Adjusting the nose, trying to stop the baby from grabbing it. Then dragging it off their faces as soon as possible as we walk away from the school.

[Rumtopf]

Does no one else just don their mask before getting out of the car, do whatever is necessary regardless of if it's outside or how socially distanced you are, then sanitise hands and take it off when you're back in the car or home?

The only time I don't wear mine outside our home is walking the dogs over the fields and I rarely see another soul.

[MarshaBradyo]

@justanotherneighinparadise

Sorry I couldn’t hear that as your covid mask was distorting your speech too much. Sorry.

That’s ok apology accepted.

[Paddingtonthebear]

We aren’t even allowed in the school grounds and we have to wear masks outside the gates for pick up and drop off.

[justanotherneighinparadise]

Sorry I couldn’t hear that as your covid mask was distorting your speech too much. Sorry.

[wonkylegs]

Ours was purely optional however just got a message today to say out there is a positive case in DS2s bubble so the whole bubble is now off for 2weeks I suspect there will be more mask wearers when we return

[FunorFitness]

It's the rule at our school and the teacher also wears a mask when they bring the children out xx

[MarshaBradyo]

@justanotherneighinparadise

Ah but you do care! Or you wouldn’t have frothed so regularly on this thread

Nope you quoted me you were most definitely having a go first .

I didn’t bother reading your posts

[loulouljh]

It makes no sense. How are they going to see which parent is which with a mask on? It is a massive safeguarding risk. You are also outside. I would be saying that no I will not be wearing the mask thank you.

[CupoTeap]

Same here

[justanotherneighinparadise]

Ah but you do care! Or you wouldn’t have frothed so regularly on this thread

[MarshaBradyo]

Just
Nope you are wrong I walk. Why would I drive

And as I said I often pick up walk away and chat as we go down the street if I see someone I know. It has stopped people hanging around for ages chatting and gets people out of the way.

It has resolved an issue at our school. Why it is any comment on what you do, I don’t really know or care.

[justanotherneighinparadise]

@RepeatSwan

I don't understand why people can't communicate standing 2m away with a mask. We've done it all day at work.

That’s what I’m trying to do! I’ve asked repeatedly on here what style of mask allows you to breathe and talk and is good for glasses wearers. Didn’t receive much response.

If we are to wear these things for years I’m hoping someone is busy designing something more ergonomic.

[Deadringer]

We have had to wear them since schools reopened, not a big deal at all. Yes we are outdoors and socially distanced, but there is always a twat that squeezes past you or comes and stands right beside you ime.

[justanotherneighinparadise]

@MarshaBradyo

If hanging around gas bagging for ages and clogging up the gates is your thing then go for it.

Aaah so we’re all ‘gasbagging’ for ages. I assume you are one of the ultra paranoid, introverted people who would sit in their car until the final second, dart into the playground and scarper without looking at anyone?

Well weirdly there are also a subsection of parents who enjoy a five minute catch up at pick up/drop off. We don’t want to mingle in packs of more than six. We don’t want to congregate in front of the gates blocking the flow. We are just human beings who would like to communicate occasionally in person, you know the stuff many of us did to feel a tiny bit of joy and have a laugh.

[MarshaBradyo]

And of course people still talk 2m apart now. Everyone is much more mindful and it has helped.

[MarshaBradyo]

As I said Just do what you want. We had an issue with people hanging around chatting in front if gates and that had now been resolved.

People still communicate as they walk down the street it’s no big deal.

[RepeatSwan]

I don't understand why people can't communicate standing 2m away with a mask. We've done it all day at work.

[justanotherneighinparadise]

@MarshaBradyo

Do what you want Just I don’t give a crap as I’m pretty sure you’re not in my area.

But parents wanted to help staff feel safer and implemented the guide themselves. Including no indoor play dates.

The staff appreciate it.

I’m wearing a bloody mask! So no need with your dramatics. I’d also like to communicate with my friends for five minutes. Shoot me.

[Concerned7777]

Yes we have this in my area, it was from the council rolled out to all schools in the Borough. We are in a local lockdown area though. It's no big deal to be honest and most are wearing masks. The hardest part is for the teachers trying to recognise parents faces behind the masks at pick up time

[Yawningyawning]

Yes had this for a couple of weeks. Some people can’t cope with partner or older siblings, so the one parent rule isn’t working out.

[CoffeeAndABook]

Just wear the mask