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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:
NellePorter · 23/10/2020 07:42

Yes, DD8 wears one when we're shopping, in restaurants etc., she chose to wear one from the start because older DC has to wear one. We're not out a lot (mostly just walking etc. Where they are not required) so it's not an issue for her.

SoVeryLost · 23/10/2020 07:59

@flaviaritt

SoVeryLost

I’m not continuing this, SoVeryLost. We disagree, that is all there is to it.

It’s not a disagreement you used a word that has a specific meaning. The act you described as abuse does not meet the bar for abuse hence why I asked you to explain your thinking.

I can bear disagreement. You are the one who is incapable of having a difference of opinion hence why you used the word abuse. It was an emotive word and has allowed you to pretend people are attacking you for your opinion when they are not.

You don’t agree with small children wearing masks, that’s an opinion. I actually don’t disagree with that opinion. That doesn’t mean parents whose children wear masks are inherently wrong and abusing their children.

chinateapot · 23/10/2020 08:09

@SoVeryLost this exactly. You and I probably disagree - I’d happily get a three year old who could tolerate it to wear a mask in public indoor spaces because I think the risk reduction from that is worth any harm. Sounds like you probably wouldn’t. What we’re both clear on is that neither option reaches the level required for abuse and that if we did see a child being abused we would act to try and protect that child. As I think all adults who can, should. You can have differences of opinion about what abuse is but I think failing to attempt to protect a child from abuse where and when you can is not ethical.

HazeyJaneII · 23/10/2020 08:13

My dds are older so wear a mask, and choose to wear them most of the day at school, and on the walk home (which is like a packed stadium...narrow road, 2 schools leaving at the same time...hundreds of people!)
Ds is 10, he has had 2 appointments where they specified masks should be worn by over 3s, and has had to go to Covid test sites twice (which also specify masks). He has tried a mask, but it triggers his reflux and sensory issues and he just can't manage it. He has a sunflower lanyard (has never had any abuse)
I see a few children locally wearing masks, and my friends little boy (6) with complex needs loves wearing his mask, he has lots of hospital appointments and it has just become part of the routine.
It isn't child abuse.

flaviaritt · 23/10/2020 08:14

You can have differences of opinion about what abuse is but I think failing to attempt to protect a child from abuse where and when you can is not ethical.

Right... So I assume you’ve reported it every time you’ve seen someone smacking a child (unless your opinion is that that isn’t abuse?). I assume you’ve reported it every time you’ve seen someone screaming at their child (unless your opinion is that that isn’t abuse?).

Because there is no room for opinion. Unless it happens to be your opinion.

Hmm
flaviaritt · 23/10/2020 08:14

HazeyJaneII

I didn’t say a 10 or a 6 year old wearing a mask was child abuse.

HazeyJaneII · 23/10/2020 08:23

I know you didn't, flaviaritt, my post wasnt aimed at you it was part of the general discussion

The last line was aimed at you, because I do disagree with your view that it is child abuse for younger children

You clearly disagree with children wearing masks over 3 as well, hence your emotive... Every bit of me recoils physically from this. 5 years old and forced to spend hours with their mouths and noses trussed up?

flaviaritt · 23/10/2020 08:25

You clearly disagree with children wearing masks over 3 as well, hence your emotive... Every bit of me recoils physically from this. 5 years old and forced to spend hours with their mouths and noses trussed up?*

Yes, it is emotive. So what?

Waxonwaxoff0 · 23/10/2020 08:28

My 7 year old doesn't wear one. I have bought one for him but he doesn't want to wear it, and as it's not mandatory for his age I'm not going to force him.

luckydays · 23/10/2020 08:31

Yes. I live in South Korea where it's always been normal - way before covid. It's just a lot more prevalent now. We're actually finding it a bit comical on how the western are starting protests over wearing them...

My children are 6, recently turned 3, and 10 months. Before the coronavirus, I can think of only one time my children wore masks and it was at an airport. My then 2-year-old got used to them back in March because he saw everyone wearing them. We wear one out and about except when we're eating. They don't wear them in school (except upon entering and leaving, and they have to be disposables). Of course my baby doesn't wear them. And our country's cases are almost non-existant...

Unless they're medically exempt, I see no reason for children above 2 not to wear one. How many times do children wipe their nose, shove their fingers in their mouth, then touch things around them? I have vulnerable loved ones I'd like to protect, as well as the vulnerable ones in our community.

Abuse... they're not in pain or gasping for breath. Get a grip.

Qasd · 23/10/2020 08:33

Yes in all places adults are expected to, one is 12 so has to the other is nine and it just felt easier.

flaviaritt · 23/10/2020 08:33

Abuse... they're not in pain or gasping for breath. Get a grip.

I have a grip. I believe they are bad for children’s expression and communication with adults and peers, and PHE agrees with me that they are a suffocation risk so 🤷🏻‍♀️

Greenandcabbagelooking · 23/10/2020 08:33

My nephew is 4, he saw my dinosaur print mask and wanted one for himself and one for his teddy. My sister doesn’t make him wear it when out, but he often asks to. In under 5s I think it’s just like wanting to carry a handbag because mummy does, or only wearing a green coat like daddy,

HazeyJaneII · 23/10/2020 08:35

I'm just saying you obviously disagree with all younger children wearing masks, that's all.
I'm not spoiling for a fight.
We disagree, I think it's silly to talk about child abuse wrt very young children mask wearing. I also find when people use that sort of emotive language about masks it all starts to get a bit heated.
But as you say, people disagree and that's fine.

flaviaritt · 23/10/2020 08:36

HazeyJaneII

Well, yes, people do start spoiling for a fight because they don’t like hearing it but I can’t help that.

movingonup20 · 23/10/2020 08:37

Many of the younger kids are wearing them here, from around 5 even though they aren't compulsory unfortunately the teenagers aren't (or remove them out of sight of the bus driver etc). The shop staff and bus drivers do tell them to but they all just say they have asthma!

Fannybawz · 23/10/2020 09:21

The word abuse is highly emotive and overused..,, or you could say....abused

Badgerbadger22 · 23/10/2020 09:26

My son has had much less severe asthma this Autumn ( he’s usually in hospital fighting to breathe by mid September ) and we actually believe him wearing a mask has improved his health.

So asthma doesn’t always equal “not wearing a mask”.

Everyone is different Smile

Live and let live and all that jazz.

flaviaritt · 23/10/2020 09:29

The word abuse is highly emotive and overused..,, or you could say....abused

Maybe, but again, in my opinion, it is appropriate here.

3littlewords · 23/10/2020 09:34

My 2 older children wear them but not my 5yo he has SEN however I try not to take him anywhere that requires a mask.

SoVeryLost · 23/10/2020 09:34

@flaviaritt

HazeyJaneII

Well, yes, people do start spoiling for a fight because they don’t like hearing it but I can’t help that.

You are the one spoiling for a fight. Or comprehension isn’t your strong suit. You’ve been given the opportunity it explain the damage done for it to be classified as abuse but you refuse to.
Itisbetter · 23/10/2020 09:44

I believe they are bad for children’s expression and communication with adults and peers that’s a nice “belief” what is it based on? Have you any relevant experience of communication difficulties among children? Were ANY of those difficulties caused by mask wearing?

flaviaritt · 23/10/2020 09:45

Itisbetter

I don’t have to explain my background or the detailed grounds for my belief to you. I’m free to hold it, why do you have a problem with that?

dinomumm · 23/10/2020 09:46

My eldest 2 do, 10 and 7. The 6 year old won't wear one. Took 7 year old opticians other day and they insisted he wear one, which was fine because he will, but if it were my 6 year old refusing I'm not sure what would happen

flaviaritt · 23/10/2020 09:47

SoVeryLost

No, I think you are the person here spoiling for a fight. I only want to (and will, irrespective of what you say) hold and communicate my opinion as it stands. I don’t need to justify myself to you and have already said I don’t want to communicate further with you. So if someone is picking a fight it’s you.