To ask if your children wear masks

[FatimaMunchy]

Been to the hospital today and saw a number of children, some probably 5 or 6, wearing masks. I asked a nurse if children had to wear masks as it was a hospital, and she said not that she was aware of.

I have two under 5. They have them and I offer them the choice to wear one in shops for the benefit of others. Sometimes they enjoy copying me, and sometimes they say no - either is ok. I just figure if mask wearing becomes a longer term thing it’s a little bit of exposure to the idea.

This thread surprises me, most children in my area don't wear masks, I've seen the odd one or two but that's it

My son is nearly 9 months so obviously not, but I was at a hospital in SW England and noticed the sign said please wear face masks for 3 years and up.

@AmICrazyorWhat2

Where I am children over 2 have to wear them. I’m glad, tbh, because I’d hate to think that my children could be a symptomatic and pass the virus on to someone vulnerable. Not that masks are any guarantee, but it’s something.

They’re just starting back at school here and we’re required to have COVID tests shortly before.

How are you meant to get a 2 year old to keep a mask on?! They can barely keep their clothes on.

My 7yo DTs wear them indoors. I wanted to normalise it and also get them used to it in case it becomes mandatory at any point.

Yes my 6 year old does. He has chest problems & we were advised to - especially in hospital.

He’s happy to

He doesn’t wear them at school though.

So it’s probably pointless but in the words of Tesco “every little helps”

Children over the age of 3 are asked to wear them for hospital and medical appointments in our area so mine wear them for that.
They don't wear them at the shops etc but they are not going there very often.

No.

Children over two have to try and wear them here though the rule says that if they refuse it's ok.

My four year old is pretty good about wearing it but I suspect it's useless as she can't stop touching it.

No and no way will I encourage it either. They are not normal and in my opinion you’re not going to get that many children who are able to put it on and then not touch it, thereby rendering it pretty useless. I’m so glad I don’t live in a country where it is mandatory for small children!

The only place my 5 year old has worn one is the hairdresser, we haven't had any health care appointments but I wouldn't mind her wearing one for that but I'm glad it's not the rules for shops/schools etc here. DD2 will be 2 very soon and I don't think I could get her to wear to a mask at all (I don't plan on trying!).

Yes purely because they want to and it normalises it for them.

I don’t force her but mine does, she’s 4.

We're in Scotland, so yes they do. They don't complain about them.

My dd is 9 and she wears a mask

Mine are 11 and 12 so they have to but DS was only 10 when the theme parks reopened where we spend all our free time and they are mandatory on the big rides at most of the parks we go to. I don’t think the under 11s rule applies. It’s the only place he has to wear one though as he doesn’t come shopping with me or use public transport. It has normalised it for him though and he just wears it with no fuss or prompting. His friends came to a theme park with us a few weeks ago and they needed constant reminding!! I think it’s because they don’t really go anywhere where they have to wear them. DD is secondary and has to wear one in the corridors and communal areas at school, shes not bothered either again I think because she’s worn one at the parks all summer.

Mine have to but even if they didn't I would probably choose for them to.

We are in Italy and it has been the norm here for kids over 6 since march. The school's have given loads and they are quite comfy actually. They only have to wear them in corridors and moving to lunch etc. While sat in class they are without.

All of ours do 3, 8, 13, 17. None of them have an issue with it. We had to take a 9 hour flight over summer and the 3 year old was 2. She managed just fine. There's no reason not to put one on your child. They spread it just like everyone else.

No, never

Yep, the more masks, the better everyone is protected.

There's no reason not to put one on your child.

Your kids, your call. Personally I regard it as child abuse and would never put a mask on such a a young child. My call.

No and I absolutely do not want to normalise it for them.

My 4yo wore one to get his hair cut and he was totally fine, but they don't wear them at school and I avoid taking him to shops so I don't get endlessly pestered to buy lego

All the 3-5 year olds wear them at my school (USA). I was also dubious about it, but there honestly isn’t one student (even the really sensory kids) who has an issue with them.

My daughter has ASD/SPD (7) and loves the feeling of anonymity masks bring. She does chew gum so that she’s not tempted to chew the mask, and the gum has brought about loads of secondary benefits such as increased focus from the sensory input. Most kids seem to love checking out the new mask designs/ patterns etc. They also know it keeps us all safe and allows us to attend school in person.

Also trending are the little character sanitisers that hook on to their school backpacks.