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

[HaggisBurger]

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?

I get why he is a bit concerned, but, as you say, given the choice between having them in school with masks or not in school without masks, which would he want?

This is for 11+ kids, but, I actually would pick the not in school option for my 5 yo. If they say she has to wear one all day in school, I'll home school tbh. I think when they're very little, it is a bit much to ask of them. We can homeschool fairly easily as we don't need to WOH. Realise that is a privilege etc.

You'd make a poorly coughing child with a high temp wear a mask?

I wore a mask when in hospital with Covid due to breathing issues, fast heart rate and very high blood pressure. The mask made no difference whatsoever to how I felt. The mask made no difference to my oxygen levels, etc. which were being checked very regularly.

Aragog that sounds awful. I also would have no issues wearing a mask (I think) and do wear one whenever needed. But for a sick young child it's different, they are much more vulnerable and more likely to panic with something on their face when they have to cough or feel a lack of control, also young children won't necessarily understand why they have to wear it and get upset.

But for a sick young child it's different, they are much more vulnerable and more likely to panic with something on their face when they have to cough or feel a lack of control, also young children won't necessarily understand why they have to wear it and get upset

Then they'd be at home and wouldn't need a mask.

@XmasDrawings

www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/question-and-answers-hub/q-a-detail/q-a-children-and-masks-related-to-covid-19

Any child who has symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 should wear a medical mask, as long as they can tolerate it.

really? You'd make a poorly coughing child with a high temp wear a mask? I think not!

It says 'as long as they can tolerate it'. Obviously they shouldn't be made to wear wear one if it causes them distress. Most children get very mild or no symptoms though, and if they can manage a mask for the few days they're infectious this would help prevent further household spread.

This is very different from expecting children to wear a mask all day, every day in school, for the forseeable future.

It's well worth reading the WHO advice, it's far more nuanced than most posts on this thread. They advise against masks for under 5s or while exercising. They don't advise for or against masks for 5-12 year olds but provide a list of things to consider. If you look at the longer document these are all based on the 'do no harm' / precautionary principle.

www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-2019-nCoV-IPC_Masks-Children-2020.1

They advise that children over age 12 should follow the adult guidance which is also very nuanced:

www.who.int/publications/i/item/advice-on-the-use-of-masks-in-the-community-during-home-care-and-in-healthcare-settings-in-the-context-of-the-novel-coronavirus-(2019-ncov)-outbreak

@XmasDrawings

Aragog that sounds awful. I also would have no issues wearing a mask (I think) and do wear one whenever needed. But for a sick young child it's different, they are much more vulnerable and more likely to panic with something on their face when they have to cough or feel a lack of control, also young children won't necessarily understand why they have to wear it and get upset.

I assume a child like that would be at home anyway, so wouldn't need to wear one apart from perhaps a brief period of time to get home if already out when it starts.

There is evidence of increased rates of dental decay connected with extended daily periods of mask wearing. Also, an increase in facial skin infections. I think better, more clear official advice from Government on use and care of masks, appropriate materials and fit, would be useful, if mask wearing for extended periods is to become a long term requirement. Atm, all sorts of types of material and fit are acceptable, so community mask wearing bears little resemblance to mask wearing by scientists and hospital workers.

I think the real issue here is mental health and emotional well being. There probably isn’t a physical health risk - if your child is wearing a disposable one and changing it every couple of hours (can you afford that btw - might be an argument to raise?). However, the real issue is how this is going to affect your child psychologically and emotionally long term. You’re talking about children here. Children being forced to cover their mouths and noses with a piece of cloth for 7 hours 5 days a week, at least, for no health benefit to themselves - this virus has a less than 1% fatality rate. It’s fine if your child WANTS to do it, but forcing them is another matter and I think it has the potential to cause mental health problems.

As for those arguing about the spread of covid - people under the age of 50 with no health conditions will probably never get the vaccine at least not for free. It will be too expensive, especially as it will probably have to be administered every year like the flu jab. Perhaps it will eventually find its way to the private market but it will surely take time for it to reach an affordable cost? The private covid tests cost over £100 and that’s just a test. All of these restrictions will have to gradually ease as the very vulnerable are vaccinated to allow everyone else to build antibodies naturally.