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Original poster

Any scientists? Why it’s ok for kids to wear masks all day in school?

83 replies

HaggisBurger · 09/11/2020 21:51

My DH is really anti-mask. And anti lockdown. Our kids school have brought in a rule that they need to wear masks in lessons now - as well as moving around the school. He’s gone nuts and wants to email the school. He’s claiming I don’t care about our kids health and welfare as I don’t feel strongly against this. I know it’s uncomfortable and not ideal - no one likes wearing a mask. But I am feel it’s worth it if the school feels it’s worth doing.

But I have no science with which to refute DH’s claims. Or indeed if I’m in the wrong it’s good to know. Can anyone help?

OP posts:
ShowOfHands · 09/11/2020 21:53

What's his problem with it?

My teenage dd has been wearing one all day at school since September, same as all the other children.

meditrina · 09/11/2020 21:54

Do you have any idea what he's planning to say to the school?

It can sometimes take a bit of time to become habituated to wearing a mask, and (especially glasses wearers) might need to try a few to find the right comfy fit.

But all across Far East Asia, DC are wearing masks all day and there are no ill effects reported

Jessuk86 · 09/11/2020 21:55

I’m not a scientist but I get where he’s coming from I had to wear a mask all day at work for the first time last week and honestly gave me the worst headache and felt like I could fall asleep I’m glad we’ve gone into lockdown again so I can work from home mask free and concentrate properly. If it has this affect on any school kids I feel bad for them as will affect concentration.

Original poster
HaggisBurger · 09/11/2020 21:57

Oxygen levels, headaches, particles of mask in lungs (I shit you not), the fact that people are advised not to wearing them whilst exercising ....

OP posts:
noblegiraffe · 09/11/2020 21:59

Ask him to gather his peer reviewed scientific evidence to present to the head of his claims, instead of trying to dispute them?

Original poster
HaggisBurger · 09/11/2020 22:02

@noblegiraffe

Ask him to gather his peer reviewed scientific evidence to present to the head of his claims, instead of trying to dispute them?
That’s a good idea. Thank you.
OP posts:
Blueshmoo · 09/11/2020 22:04

IV been wearing masks at work for 30 years,
I'm now wearing a face fitted fp3 mask at work,
I have asthma,
I have sat with oxygen probe on my finger, my O2 level doesn't budge.

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 09/11/2020 22:05

I'm a scientist and wear a disposable surgical mask all day at work, barring lunch and coffee time, its honestly fine. Your DH is being a dick.

AppropriateAdult · 09/11/2020 22:09

He’s the one making spurious claims, he needs to present evidence to support them. Though if you want to help him out, there are loads of videos online of doctors monitoring their oxygen levels while wearing masks - they don’t reduce them at all. Surgeons wear them for hours at a time without keeling over in theatre.

Spinakker · 09/11/2020 22:10

I don't think it can be healthy breathing in no fresh air like that for long periods. But no not a scientist !

Nicketynac · 09/11/2020 22:13

I wear a mask all day at work, it's fine. You forget you have it on after a while.
However, I put one on after running while still out of breath, and I sucked the mask into my mouth with each breath. It felt horrible and I was desperate to get it off. I assume it would have got wet quicker than usual and been much less effective. So wearing one while exercising is uncomfortable and probably pointless.

Nicketynac · 09/11/2020 22:15

@Spinakkerst most masks aren't air-tight so you get plenty of fresh air. Think of glasses getting steamed up - that is your breath coming out the top of the mask. They just aim to reduce the aerosol particles released into the air.

whymewhyme · 09/11/2020 22:19

I agree with your husband, it's outrageous! I can cope with mask wearing when walking around but not in lessons. It's too much, lots of comments saying its fine and they work in masks all day and they are fine. Great! but we are talking about children here! These masks are detrimental to their health and mental wellbeing.

LastTrainEast · 09/11/2020 22:24

whymewhyme specifically how are they detrimental?

They are a bar to communication/interaction which is why in normal times we won't allow teachers to cover their faces for 'religious' reasons or for children to be forced to do so. No one wants them to wear them.

But if you have information regarding a health risk you really should share it with the medical experts involved in the UK and around the world.

TicTacTwo · 09/11/2020 22:33

There are a lot of videos on YouTube where health professionals like doctors put on a mask and use an oximeter to prove that it doesn't affect your oxygen levels.

ApplesinmyPocket · 09/11/2020 22:34

I saw a video of kids at a dance school I follow on instagram (in America). Happy excited kids, glad to be back at their dance classes again, uncomplainingly dancing in their masks. Better for their 'health and welfare' for them to be back at their hobby, having fun with their peers, than any speculative concern of your DH's about - what, exactly?

savagebaggagemaster · 09/11/2020 22:35

Slightly off topic but is it just me or does anyone else feel more out of breath after climbing stairs in a mask?

WoodYewBee · 09/11/2020 22:36

surgical masks may be fine....but what about the ones we wash/reuse? washed in washing powder we then breath in through wet material?

WildIrishRose1 · 09/11/2020 22:54

@whymewhyme

I agree with your husband, it's outrageous! I can cope with mask wearing when walking around but not in lessons. It's too much, lots of comments saying its fine and they work in masks all day and they are fine. Great! but we are talking about children here! These masks are detrimental to their health and mental wellbeing.
Oh come on! I wear a mask in school all day long, as do my students. They much prefer to be in school with their mates, than having to learn online because of infections. Kids adapt.
SteeperThanHell · 09/11/2020 22:58

@WoodYewBee

surgical masks may be fine....but what about the ones we wash/reuse? washed in washing powder we then breath in through wet material?
Surely you dry them before putting them on?
SteeperThanHell · 09/11/2020 23:00

@Spinakker

I don't think it can be healthy breathing in no fresh air like that for long periods. But no not a scientist !
You are still breathing in fresh air.
Calligraphy572 · 09/11/2020 23:01

He's right, masks do have a side effect on your children's health: they make it less likely that the dc will catch the disease and bring it home.

SteeperThanHell · 09/11/2020 23:01

@whymewhyme

I agree with your husband, it's outrageous! I can cope with mask wearing when walking around but not in lessons. It's too much, lots of comments saying its fine and they work in masks all day and they are fine. Great! but we are talking about children here! These masks are detrimental to their health and mental wellbeing.
What do you think the risk to health and mental well-being is?
Olmec8 · 09/11/2020 23:02

I don't really have a problem wearing a mask but I'm not sure how healthy it actually is when it just sits at the bottom of my coat pocket festering for days on end.

SteeperThanHell · 09/11/2020 23:04

@Olmec8

I don't really have a problem wearing a mask but I'm not sure how healthy it actually is when it just sits at the bottom of my coat pocket festering for days on end.
Use a clean one maybe...