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Covid

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Original poster

To want to pull my child out of school

62 replies

XRockinrobynx · 02/10/2020 15:08

Five year old

Case of covid in a bubble at her school. Bubbles shut.

Panicky email from head that from Monday parents have got to wear masks for drop of and pick up.

Hate wearing them. I've got anxiety that I've only just started to recover from. Taking babysteps and wearing them in the shop occasionally.

This rule will be staying in place now and I think it's awful that the kids will be greeted by masks. Starting to wonder about home education. It's obviously dangerous to have the schools open. One case and they are demanding masks in the open air.

I know alot of people think masks will help. But I think they are only needed in enclosed spaces and risky places. Outside is ridiculous and should be optional.

OP posts:

RedskyAtnight · 02/10/2020 15:10

Does every parent stay 2m away from every other parent at pick up/drop off? If not, that's probably why the head is asking for them. Surely your child is used to seeing people in masks by now?

blue25 · 02/10/2020 15:10

You want to pull your child out of school because you don’t want to wear a mask? That sounds completely over the top-sorry.

Original poster

XRockinrobynx · 02/10/2020 15:13

Yeah there's a 2m rule.

Yes it seems over the top on my part. But it's over the top. We are in the open air. The schools are full of kids not wearing them. The staff don't wear them. At what point do you magically put it over our face. How will the teachers see who the hell you are. Also children shouldn't have to see masks instead of a warm smile.

It's more the extremes they are going too. Are we safe or not. Because they are acting like we are at high risk. one case. Now suddenly all parents are the problem.

OP posts:

RepeatSwan · 02/10/2020 15:14

I think it is natural to be worried about the virus. The virus is a risk to families, although fortunately a very low risk of serious issues for young children.

I could understand home educating to avoid viral risk. I also could understand home educating to provide a more fun environment as some aspects of school are quite changed.

But I honestly don't think adults wearing masks is a big deal, so I wouldn't do it for that reason. I'm happy to wear a mask.

But at the end of the day, parents in the UK do have a legal right to home educate. Do your research carefully before making a decision. It isn't easy, and it takes time to do it well.

RizzleDrizzle · 02/10/2020 15:15

If you genuinely have anxiety your except, I appreciate your trying to wear a mask but maybe explain to the head that you are except

But if your actual problem is you think it’s sad your little preciousness have to see people wearing masks - look every where.

In other countries children are expected to wear them much younger

It’s no reason to pull them out of school

RedskyAtnight · 02/10/2020 15:17

The school is limited in what they are able to do because of the guidelines they have to follow and constraints like the physical size of the building/ classrooms.

If all parents are genuinely staying 2m away from each other at all times, then yes it is OTT to ask them to wear masks at drop off/pick up. But I doubt they are. And the school wants the children to avoid being more exposed then they have to be.

I'm sure your child can identify you with or without a mask on. Wearing one for 5 minutes twice a day is hardly a big ask.

converseandjeans · 02/10/2020 15:18

The problem is that parents aren't distancing at drop off and pick up. DS school recently introduced this due to so many parents hanging around chatting at the end of the school day, not keeping a distance.
I am surprised that because of being asked to wear a mask for all of 5 mins you want to take your child out of school.
Most parents have a mask in their hand/bag/pocket and then just put on as they approach school.
Children really are very adaptable and this is just normal to them. I would be more anxious about catching covid than wearing some fabric for a few minutes.

RizzleDrizzle · 02/10/2020 15:20

children shouldn't have to see masks instead of a warm smile.

No they shouldn’t but yet here we are with a airborne illness that could stop them ever seeing the warm smile of their parents grand parents even brothers and sisters again buuuuuuuut ok yes parents shouldn’t wear a mask

Small sacrifices hay

Lovemusic33 · 02/10/2020 15:25

If you have anxiety and really can’t wear a mask then don’t, you are exempt but be prepared to be questioned over it.

I don’t think it’s a good reason to pull your child out of school.

Keepdistance · 02/10/2020 15:38

School is not safe.
Clearly it is likely that one of the parents has covid if one of the kids does. And they definitely can spread it.
I think youll find kids dont give a crap mine didnt even notice when i changed to wearing one for drop off!

You really dont need smiles for body language.

SBTLove · 02/10/2020 15:39

children shouldn't have to see masks instead of a warm smile
Don’t be so precious, better mum in a mask than on a ventilator.

WankPuffins · 02/10/2020 15:40

I think you are overreacting and bit about kids not having to see masks is ridiculous.

It is what it is and they just have to get used to it. If my children were upset by masks they would be given pretty short shrift to be honest - they will face worse in life and shouldn’t be mollycoddled.

I do understand your anxiety but life’s tough.

We have to wear masks at pick up and drop off and rightly so as far as I’m concerned.

SavingShoes · 02/10/2020 15:42

Unschooling and home education is a fantastic idea regardless of virus risks. If you have the opportunity, do it.
Agreed: children interact with each other and teachers all day long, if they are going to contract the virus or give it to you... a little mask won't help.
Hand washing with hot water and soap and keeping 2 meters away from people is a better way forward.

OverTheRubicon · 02/10/2020 15:46

If you really want to home school and are committed, it can be wonderful for the whole family.

Looking at what happened to the reading levels in our school over lockdown though, a large number of families are really not well set for home learning. If you are one of these, that's fine too - just don't wear a mask, anxiety is a valid exemption.

Pulling your child out of school only because you cannot handle either wearing a mask or facing up to an occasional side glance for not wearing one means that either you desperately need more medical support for your anxiety, or that you are extremely self-centred.

everythingthelighttouches · 02/10/2020 16:30

I thought most of the country was already wearing masks at pick up and drop off??

NandosPeriometer · 02/10/2020 16:39

If you are exempt then do the school run while wearing a sunflower lanyard then.

Your school is unusual if the adults are genuinely 2m apart ime and it is unusual not to have had the mask rule already.

SherryPalmer · 02/10/2020 18:53

You’re really going to pull your child out of school because they’re asking you to wear a mask for 5mins at the beginning and end of the school day

yummychoccy · 02/10/2020 19:02

Our nursery has asked parents to wear masks on pick up since it reopened in June. It is absolutely fine. The babies and kids don't care in the slightest!

OpheliasCrayon · 02/10/2020 19:04

I thought you were going to say your child has medical issues or something. No you can't pull your child out of school because you don't want to wear a mask to drop them off and pick them up.
Sorry to be blunt but that's absolutely ludicrous. You can't seriously be wanting to damage your child's education, early friendships and opportunities to explore the world around them with their peers ...because you don't want to cover your face. Come on!

DressingGownofDoom · 02/10/2020 19:10

If you're that anxious go to the bloody doctor, don't deprive the child of education and spending time with her friends.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 02/10/2020 19:12

Honestly just wear the mask- it’s only for pick up and drop off, your child will see them everywhere else. How you think that’s more traumatic than keeping your child away from their peers and an education is beyond me.

OpheliasCrayon · 02/10/2020 19:12

@DressingGownofDoom

If you're that anxious go to the bloody doctor, don't deprive the child of education and spending time with her friends.

Well and also yes go and see someone about this....

OpheliasCrayon · 02/10/2020 19:16

"It's obviously dangerous to have the schools open. One case and they are demanding masks in the open air."

Sorry to post again but I've just reread. No it isn't obviously dangerous - there's risk everywhere but what WOULD be dangerous to the well-being of children is to continue with the schools being shut. It would be dangerous to their mental health, social development and education.

One case and schools are not demanding anything. They're taking the best precautions they can in a difficult situation. They, and I'm sure I can speak for all school staff on this board, and we (as I'm a teacher ) are doing the best that we possibly can in this situation.

Please for the sake of everyone do as your ask and keep your child in school

ohthegoats · 02/10/2020 19:18

I think it's awful that the kids will be greeted by masks.

This is a non concern. Kids don't care. I've got kids wearing a mask all day in my class of 7 year olds, adults too, no one bats an eyelid. They mostly think they are fun to be honest.

Big girl pants on, wear a mask for 2 lots of 10 minutes a day to keep your child in school.

RaggieDolls · 02/10/2020 19:20

If it helps OP my DS has been entirely unbothered by me wearing a mask. I just asked him if it's hard to spot me at pick up with a mask and he said he hadn't noticed I was wearing one.

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