To be annoyed that school requests parents wear a mask.

[j101112]

School have requested parents a mask on drop offs and pick ups. I’m not anti mask and I will wear one but I’m annoyed.

It’s a rural school. With less than 100 children. Majority of children aged year 4 and up walk to school on their own or at very least walk into the school grounds on their own. I barely see anyone dropping Ds (10) off. Maybe 1 other parent from a distance. Don’t come into close contact with teachers as it’s all done outside anyway.

They also have staggered times. So people going in and out different times and one way system.

With Dd who’s younger I see the parents of the children in her bubble but we all social distance.

Barely come into contact with anyone.

School are saying it’s because parents often talk but what do they do expect us to not talk to each other? What’s the issue with people talking whilst social distancing?! I’d understand if parents were standing in groups but it’s not like that here. Most parents are rushing off to work and too busy to talk. Others drop their kids and walk off quick like me 🤣

But being made to wear masks in a huge outdoor open space with plenty of room to distance? Really necessary? Lots of open space around the school! I just don’t really understand!

I don’t come into close contact with anyone during the school run!

I'm in Scotland and they are making us do this at pickup too - also outside and in a queuing system where we are separated by 2m so not even getting close to people, or to teachers. I leave it as late as possible to join the queue, so I am probably only wearing it a couple of minutes max, and then whip it off as soon as I'm back the other side of the playground. It stresses me out because my glasses steam up so badly I can't see where I'm going and I dread pick up these days. I don't go anywhere else where masks are mandatory but can't avoid collecting my child from school!

Pick your battles and just wear it. It's not remotely worth stressing about.

i do wonder whether if the school told you you had to walk backwards into the gates and spin 3 times because it warned covid off whether all these posters would be saying just do the fucking spins and don't be selfish.

Not quite the same though is it? Just a daft statement.

We know that social distancing is important for reducing transmission.
We know that isn't always possible in many school areas, even outside.
We know, through scientists and experts not random MNetters, that masks can indeed help reduce transmission especially when SD is harder.

What you are suggesting isn't something scientists and experts have recommended. There would be no evidence to support it at all, unlike the use of masks and SDing.

YABU

No they don't expect you not to talk to each other, hence the masks.

It's what all the schools in our area have been doing since September and we are in an area with low cases.

I wish I had your problems, j101112, if that's all you have to worry about.

otherwise unlimited time outside would not be allowed during this lockdown.

Outside time in your private gardens is not permitted at present - mainly as evidence has suggested that people don't social distance and don't wear masks when doing so, therefore has a risk.

So actually in some situations outdoor time IS restricted.

@loulouljh

God...madness. Wear this head covering. Just go on. And this badge. Don't moan just do it. This has happened before people...and reading this I can see how!!!!!

What are your qualifications for saying it is madness? Are you better qualified than the Professor of the chair of virology and head of the infection and immunity division at the University of Edinburgh?

For the record he has a MA in Natural Sciences and a PhD in virology and has worked at Cambridge University, Harvard, the Royal Society and the Wellcome Trust. He's also had relevant articles published in Nature recently and has a long history of research into virology.

What are your credentials OP?

I wear one if I go into school grounds.

But DD walks halfway by herself and I pick her up in the local park after school.

@loulouljh

When your child gets taken by the wrong person I hope you don't complain on here!!!! Just do as you are told and sod the consequences...

How many times has that happened so far in any country which is wearing masks?

If it happened even once in the Uk it would have been all over the media, especially int he likes of DM, etc.

Yet so far that doesn't seem to be the case.

Many schools have had parents wearing masks in the playground at pick up/drop off since before the summer, all with no safeguarding mishap whatsoever.

Strange that.

Try wearing one for over 8 hours a day, then you have a right to complain.

Hell if it made even the tiniest difference to the the odds of kids remaining at school I'd wear anything they asked me to at pickup/dropoff!

The school are trying to keep their pupils and staff safe at a really difficult time. You said you're not anti-mask, so just wear the mask. There are potential benefits and not many downsides, given that you're presumably wearing a mask elsewhere anyway.

I do it but I’d like to know exactly how many cases they’ve traced back to transmission between parents/carers specifically at drop off/pick up. Surely with T&T we should be getting this data now? I am starting to worry about the amount of stuff we’re now being made to do without any real concrete evidence of how many infections it has caused and how many they think introducing measure x will cut it by.

Just wear the mask and as one poster said grow up.

It is worth wearing it because even though you are social distancing another parent may forget and walk right up to you to talk.

Sometimes it helps to not think of it as 'the school' but a group of individuals. Those individuals will hopefully really want to keep schools open and love teaching, but they may also have their own fears and worries. Perhaps a diabetic older teacher is scared and felt it was a tiny thing but it would help her feel better about handing the children over.

@pinkyboots1

You say you have no problem wearing a mask then in the same paragraph complain... the school is only asking you to wear a mask.. nothing major! Everybody has rules they need to stick to in the world and it's a great example to your child if you follow them .. even when you don't like it. It's called life! 🙄

Pinkyboots1, I think it's a rotten example to set to your child if you go along with a stupid and unnecessary rule which is not helping anyone at all, just because "I've been told to do it".

What happened to the old parental mantra about "if X told you to jump off the top of a high building, would you do it?"

OP, it's a bloody stupid decree. Nobody who is outside and well away from other people is going to transmit any virus at all. There is no need at all to wear a mask.

The only hysteria I’m seeing is from those work agree with the Op in particular @loulouljh who seems to think her child will be STOLEN as a mask renders her invisible and completely unidentifiable and also alluded to nazi Germany so fair play to her.

@Aragog

i do wonder whether if the school told you you had to walk backwards into the gates and spin 3 times because it warned covid off whether all these posters would be saying just do the fucking spins and don't be selfish.

Not quite the same though is it? Just a daft statement.

We know that social distancing is important for reducing transmission.
We know that isn't always possible in many school areas, even outside.
We know, through scientists and experts not random MNetters, that masks can indeed help reduce transmission especially when SD is harder.

What you are suggesting isn't something scientists and experts have recommended. There would be no evidence to support it at all, unlike the use of masks and SDing.

Who's reccomended wearing masks outside when not near anyone else? Must have missed that.

YABVVVU
Just wear the damn mask. They're looking out for your and everyone else's health, they're not asking you to wear masks for their own enjoyment. What on earth is wrong with you OP.

Yes. Just do it. Keep a mask in the car.

Is this or is it not a government directive?

@MistressIggi

Is this or is it not a government directive?

Here it is a local government directive.

You could stand a mile away but not all parents do. You aren’t the only one at drop off and pick up. Your behaviour maybe exemplary but not everyone is. I don’t think it’s asking a lot to try and support your child’s school for a few minutes each day and maybe help make the staff feel a bit more comfortable given they haven’t the opportunity to furlough themselves and are at risk. Don’t get your annoyance at all.

@Aragog

otherwise unlimited time outside would not be allowed during this lockdown.

Outside time in your private gardens is not permitted at present - mainly as evidence has suggested that people don't social distance and don't wear masks when doing so, therefore has a risk.

So actually in some situations outdoor time IS restricted.

Erm, where are you? Nowhere outside is off limits. Especially in your own private garden. 🤪