Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

To ask if your children wear masks

240 replies

FatimaMunchy · 22/10/2020 19:06

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.

OP posts:
pequini · 22/10/2020 21:12

So bloody disrespectful to anyone who had experienced actual child abuse to equate it to putting a sodding mask on! Jesus wept.

flaviaritt · 22/10/2020 21:14

So bloody disrespectful to anyone who had experienced actual child abuse to equate it to putting a sodding mask on! Jesus wept.

Eh? I think it is abusive. What do you mean by ‘actual child abuse’? Because I think ‘Jesus wept’, too, when I see little children who are practically babies being marched around with coverings over their mouths and noses. People disagree. Who knew?

🤷🏻‍♀️

justanotherneighinparadise · 22/10/2020 21:19

The last time we’re in A&E in the summer my four year old had to wear one. Otherwise my seven year old chooses to wear one as and when. I don’t make them but to be honest I don’t really take them anywhere where it’s busy or necessary.

milkysmum · 22/10/2020 21:19

My 9 year old does not, 11 year old has to in school corridors but chooses not to else where. I'm not forcing children to wear masks.

Planty13 · 22/10/2020 21:23

My 7 year old wears them indoors except home and school.

Rae36 · 22/10/2020 21:29

Yes. I'm a bit more laid back about my 8 yr old, he often has his not covering his nose properly and I only half remind him, but I think it's important he gets into the habit. Masks are not going anywhere any time soon unfortunately so the sooner it becomes second nature to us all the better.

sunflowershine · 22/10/2020 21:33

Yes. My four year old does (and she has autism). She's in school, and I feel that it's responsible to have her wear one (in shops, appointments etc). She doesn't find it upsetting at all, I might feel differently if she did.

My two year old no, not a chance and I don't think it's safe and not required.

BogRollBOGOF · 22/10/2020 21:40

No. Thank goodness they are u11.
DS1 has ASD and struggles to wear trousers for sensory issues. He wore a face covering once for a medical appointment. Literally covered his whole face and couldn't leave the bloody thing alone constantly fudgeting and mucking about.

DS2 has asthma and I'm not dicking about with his breathing to find out if he can tolerate one. As a medical experiment it would be deemed unethical.

I can't stand being near the things anyway for a variety of reasons so it's largely a non issue as we tend to avoid places where they are required as much as we practically can.

dicdicnurse · 22/10/2020 21:51

Yes, my two wear them when we are in public places. They are 8 and 10. They are happy to wear them, it's never for long periods of time.

Calligraphy572 · 22/10/2020 22:04

My ASD child likes wearing them - makes it easier to be in her own cocoon, apparently. Makes her feel safer - I suspect mostly not from Covid.

AmyandPhilipfan · 22/10/2020 22:04

My 11 and 12 year old do at school in corridors but not lessons and do in shops like adults have to. I also have a 3 year old and wouldn’t even think to suggest she tries wearing one. She goes to pre-school two mornings a week and I would remove her from there if it ever came in that she would have to wear a mask. Personally I don’t think they’re pleasant to wear and think we shouldn’t ask young children to wear them.

TAKESNOSHITSHIRLEY · 22/10/2020 22:08

no
10 y old underage and disabled and 16 y old is disabled so they have sunflower lanyards

they dont go to school so are not "mixing "with other kids

Anotherpointofview1 · 22/10/2020 22:09

I cannot tell you how depressing it is reading this thread

RubaDubMum89 · 22/10/2020 22:09

My 3 year old loves hers! Never let's me forgetting when we go shopping

Original poster
FatimaMunchy · 22/10/2020 22:14

I am really surprised at how many children there are wearing masks because until today I had only seen one or two in supermarkets.

OP posts:
TempsPerdu · 22/10/2020 22:16

I cannot tell you how depressing it is reading this thread

So glad it’s not just me! And no, DD (nearly 3) does not and will not be wearing a mask.

Rae36 · 22/10/2020 22:24

I cannot tell you how depressing it is reading this thread

Depressing because kids are wearing them?

I hate them, I resent them, I'm angry that circumstances have forced us to wear them. But my kids so far don't have those thoughts, they just get on and wear them. So I'm encouraging that and keeping my negative feelings to myself. No point making the kids hate them too, it won't change anything. My 4 yr old niece gas about 10 in different colours, she loves them. Surely that's better than feeling negative about them?

ReneeRol · 22/10/2020 22:29

Mine wears one in shops. She doesn't on the school bus or at school because they only wear them if they want and none of the other kids do.

Wearing a mask all day isn't healthy or comfortable. We have no idea yet what the health consequences of that might be for children.

underneaththeash · 22/10/2020 22:31

No, I wouldn’t pit a young child in a mask.

Doveyouknow · 22/10/2020 22:33

Both mine, who are primary school age, wear one if we are in shops, on public transport or in crowded places. They are fine with it and there is no reason for them not to.

Sitt · 22/10/2020 22:47

No, mine are too young. I rarely see any primary ages or younger wearing them around here.

FWIW this is the advice from PHE about safety wrt face coverings for under 3yo

ihv.org.uk/news-and-views/news/phe-statement-face-coverings-for-babies-and-very-young-children/

Sitt · 22/10/2020 22:48

“ children under the age of three years should not wear face coverings or masks, these masks should not be used as they are potentially dangerous and can cause choking and suffocation”

stopgap · 22/10/2020 23:03

I’m in Connecticut, and my children (ages 6 and 9) have to wear them for:

School (school is hybrid, so afternoons only)
For football matches and training, but only only to the pitch and then they can take them off.
At the playground
When going into stores

They’re used to them and don’t think it’s a big deal.

BigSisLittleSisCardboardBox · 22/10/2020 23:08

Mine do at 6 and 7.

When 7yo DD was really poorly a few weeks ago (she starts vomiting and cant stop) I didn’t make her wear one when we went to a GP appointment for her and no one said she should be wearing one, which I was pleased about as she was vomiting regularly and didn’t think it was fair to wear a mask when that was happening. The rest of the time my DCs wear one in shops and buildings other than at home. We’re in Scotland.

Lostandlonely2020 · 22/10/2020 23:11

Depends on what part is the hospital - we are in hospital a lot
In non clinical areas same rules apply as in over 11 and not under
Clinical areas under 11 over 3 I think wear them. So if my daughter leaves her room to go to the bathroom she has to wear one.
Going from a&e to ward she has to wear one.
Going to Costa’s for a cake she has to wear one to the ward door but not walking to costa