Being forced to wear a mask in exams

[whodoesntlovejelly]

So I've received an email from Dd's (age 15) school stating that during mock examinations-due to start on Monday it will be mandatory for all students to wear masks for the whole of every exam. Is it just me that thinks this will be absolutely awful for them??

That’s going to be interesting for invigilators when students turn up with masks with designs/writing on...

For 'normal' children wearing a facemask for a couple of hours in a sedentary activity will be no problem. But I expect children with asthma or other breathing disorders will be ignored. If the masks Must Not Be Touched, children with diabetes or any other reason they might need to eat or drink will be ignored. And children with autism, PTSD, or any other psychological difficulties with mask-wearing will definitely be ignored.

Even in schools where mask-wearing is routine, expect classroom exemptions to not be followed in exams.

Why is anyone being ignored? Surely exemptions would still apply in these situations. The majority wearing masks will protect those that have a legitimate reason not to and staff will help with this.

Schools are well used to making all sorts of adjustments for exams, especially when it gets to the public exams and their mocks.

My son has just sat two GCSE's privately, wearing a mask. No problem at all. And he has asthma.

@LaurieFairyCake

Yes, its awful

I can't see over the mask when I look down. I was on the tube yesterday attempting to do emails - was having to twist my neck over and back to do it

I ended up typing with my phone at arms length

There's no way I could manage to lean over for 3 hours and write

How on earth do people lean over and write in a mask ?

I do it at work and at university, it's really not difficult. If your mask is obstructing your vision to that extent you probably need to either get a smaller one, or a different style.

Come to think, DDs issues with masks and glasses are with the fp2 types. The simple surgical or cloth ones are no bother.

My university students are managing fine. They accept it's what's needed to ensure the continuity of their in-person education. Even with the masks, I suspect many schools will struggle to find willing invigilators.

It’s awful. Having to concentrate is hard enough without having a stuffy mask on your face. Not to mention the fact that they don’t do anything to “ stop the spread”. The whole thing is ridiculous. But oh yeah, it’s “ temporary” so hold off just a “ little longer” blah blah blah...Poor kids, they are truly damned.

@OpheliasCrayon - complain to COVID-19?

Not to mention the fact that they don’t do anything to “ stop the spread”.

That's a fact, is it?

Not to mention the fact that they don’t do anything to “ stop the spread”.

Do they not? Could you post some links to peer reviewed scientific papers that back this up?

Not to mention the fact that they don’t do anything to “ stop the spread”.

They probably reduce the level of exposure giving the body a chance to build up a natural immunity without being swamped by the virus.

medicalxpress.com/news/2020-09-mask-immunity-covid-viral-dose.html

@sherryperry

Why is anyone being ignored? Surely exemptions would still apply in these situations. The majority wearing masks will protect those that have a legitimate reason not to and staff will help with this.

Absolutely

@Userzzz wow! I must Inform my employer (global pharmaceutical company) that we don't need to wear masks whilst sampling or in the graded areas where the products are made!! This is great! Maybe we should just do away with all PPE (you know...safety glasses, sterile gloves, tyvek suits, shoe covers Etc etc) based on your knowledge.

Awful. We’ve taken leave of our senses.

Exams by their nature should be socially distanced.

Yabu and melodramatic

@ShanghaiDiva

Surely students are further apart from each other during exams/ at separate desks so I don’t understand the need for masks. However, I don’t think it’s awful.

Yes, but there will be tons of aerosols circulating.

Op what would you prefer? An asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic carrier infecting a ton of the year group, who then have to miss more learning or even final exams?

The odds are good that the children arent 2 metres apart

"Exams by their nature should be socially distanced."

As a pp has pointed out, the invigilators may need to come closer.

What is awful about it???

I could not do an exam with a mask on. I could even view a house with one one - I tried and could not look property and did not make an offer. Masks affect people in different ways.

Lol the complaining about masks on here shows why the western world is largely finished. Never has such a fuss been made about such a little pathetic sacrifice. Just wear a mask like thousand of surgeons, tradespeople, lab users and nurses do each and every day and stop looking to be the victim in everything.

I'm surprised that y11 mocks aren't held in the school hall where presumably the space between desks would be considered socially distant (or am I remembering exam halls incorrectly?) Therefore I would expect no masks until it's time to leave the room.

@sherryperry

Why is anyone being ignored? Surely exemptions would still apply in these situations. The majority wearing masks will protect those that have a legitimate reason not to and staff will help with this.

I just have no faith that schools will handle things properly or even legally. The story of Covid-19 as a whole has been one of the disabled being ignored.

Regarding social distancing, normally exam halls wouldn't have students 2 metres apart.