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!

Or do you mean, having people in your garden? @Aragog

Our DC's school have been asking us parents to do this since Sept. Frankly, we're all just glad the teachers are still coming in to teach our kids. YABU.

*Who's reccomended wearing masks outside when not near anyone else?(

They recommend wearing masks where SD cannot be followed.
The OP has said that some parents are not able to SD when they are talking in the playground. The school may have observed this.

In my school playground we have bottlenecks where SDing cannot be guaranteed. Also many people seem to forget how far away 2m is and often stand much closer to other parents and staff when coming to talk to them. Therefore we ask parents to wear masks.

We don't seem to encounter the same level of fuss about it as I see daily on Mn though.

If wearing masks OUTSIDE is protecting everyone else (at school pick up) why are we banned from having people in our gardens- they could just wear masks, right?

Or do you mean, having people in your garden? @Aragog**

Yes, currently in England we cannot have people from outside the household/support bubble in outdoor private gardens.

Therefore our outdoor time IS restricted in some circumstances.

I have reread my post and realised I had forgotten to add the key info I was referring to - outdoor with other people (not in household)

Thanks all. People need to calm down. I never said I wasn’t going to wear one!! I was always under the impressions masks see to be used when social distancing isn’t easy whereas at a small school with so much open space social distancing is very easy. Never had to get close to anyone!

For anyone saying try working with a mask all day. I can totally sympathise! I’m not working as I’m busy raising two children with additional needs and one having a physical disability so I haven’t had to wear a mask much (only shopping which I tend to get delivered). Live in a quiet place, no public transport and don’t spend much time indoors anywhere. We usually just spend our free time outside in the open!

I’m a teacher and we’re currently fighting to get parents to wear a mask (it’s been a rule since October but many parents still choose not to). This is a particular issue when there are parents who want to speak to me, who I need to speak to or who I have to get closer to, e.g to give them something like a letter or lost belongings (I work with little ones). I don’t think it’s a lot to ask for parents to protect other parents and the teachers who are putting themselves and their families at risk every day to care for their children. As others have said, you may think you’re being perfectly safe but how can they differentiate that role, you do what you should so you don’t wear a mask, what about the patent next to you who insistently breaks the two metre rule.

@Bytheloch

If wearing masks OUTSIDE is protecting everyone else (at school pick up) why are we banned from having people in our gardens- they could just wear masks, right?

Wrong.

Picking up children is essential. Having a party in your garden is not.

I agree, it’s ridiculous, but isn’t this a Dept of Education recommendation?

Apologies for typos, extremely tired!!

Who’s talking about parties in gardens- just to see parents or friends in limited numbers, in their private garden would be good. No party here! Please don’t assume because I do not wish to wear a mask outside in the fresh air, that I’m an idiot or irresponsible.

Stop being obtuse and just wear the mask. It's for 5 mins and it really is a zero cost action. If there is a 0.01% chance that it'll stop even one person from catching the virus, why wouldn't you?

masks are really not a big deal.

@monacorona and I think it's a "rotten example" to set your child by teaching them to disobey authority when they are making a fairly reasonable request just because you don't agree. Fair enough if it was something dangerous they were asking parents to do, but something to protect peoples health? I'd be ashamed to be such an example to my child.

I’m in a similar position with a similar sized school who have asked parents to follow this recommendation.
I’ve chosen not to. I’m outdoors, there are 2 metre markers that all parents follow and the teachers usher the children out to the parent when they arrive from the gate which again parents distance from. I don’t set foot on school grounds.
I’m raising my child to do things that are sensible. If I thought wearing a mask outdoors would stop coronavirus, I would wear one. I don’t think a flimsy cloth makes an impact and I choose not to.
I wear masks in the shop and would wear one if speaking to a teacher but NOT when I’m outdoors in the fresh air...otherwise I’d wear one when outdoors ALL the time. Walking to the shops, getting exercise, walking from my house to the car.
Our school have acknowledged that this is a recommendation not mandatory.

FGS just do as they ask so that people don't get ill.

This is an unknown virus compared to some. Do your bit. Don't be a nuisance.

It’s the rules! pull your kid out if The school if you don’t like it

You’ve been asked to wear a mask...get on with it

Just fucking WEAR THE MASK (feel like Phoebe in Friends yelling at Rachel’s mother to PICK UP THE SOCK)

Yes, YABU. The schools are already dumped on from a great height with this, it's not exactly much to ask you to pop a mask on during lockdown pick ups.

how exactly do masks outdoors when you are nowhere near anyone else help?

The design of schools (especially primary schools) makes social distancing almost impossible so yeah, they are recommended even in outdoor settings if you can’t practice SD.

Even with staggered start and finish times and a separate entrance and exit I have to be close to at least 5 other parents while I wait for DC to leave their classroom.

@Noitjustwontdo

how exactly do masks outdoors when you are nowhere near anyone else help?

The design of schools (especially primary schools) makes social distancing almost impossible so yeah, they are recommended even in outdoor settings if you can’t practice SD.

Even with staggered start and finish times and a separate entrance and exit I have to be close to at least 5 other parents while I wait for DC to leave their classroom.

So you aren't nowhere near anyone else are you so that doesn't answer my question at all does it?

Also have a small village school here and a tiny nursery. Both are now insisting all parents were masks at all times whilst on their property.

They're ultimately minimising the risk and reducing the chances of a child getting it, therefore causing disruption in their education. Not to mention protecting staff, other parents etc . Same at our school and I don't think a single parent has complained.

That is a letter to ALL parents not just your child's year. You have no idea what the drop off is like earlier or later than you do it.