Face masks for Secondary Pupils in classrooms

[FatPatty]

I can’t see this being reported anywhere but the Daily Fail are reporting masks to be worn in Secondary schools for first few weeks back.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9287275/Secondary-school-pupils-wear-face-masks-lessons-weeks-school-return-March-8.html

@DenisetheMenace

mynameisnotmichaelcaine

I don't have a diagnosed hearing impairment, but I do have MS which can have an impact on hearing. Either way though, I don't know why you think I'm lying?

I don’t think you’re lying and I apologise for offending you. I was thinking purely from the perspective of an A level College student, as is our youngest, where students generally don’t talk over the lecturing tutor.

It’s been pointed out to me more than once that a class of upwards of 30 younger students would be a whole lot more challenging.

Thank you for your apology - this whole situation doesn't bring out the best in me and I'm sorry too. It's just I had a few people on my FB tell me they don't understand because they can hear people perfectly well with masks on. That's all well and good, but I can't 😂

@SugarfreeBlitz

I'm curious to know if there's some sort of charity for masks because there must be loads of kids whose parents can't afford pretty/cool masks and zip pouches to keep them in.

Where I work, that would be the school. Kids can get a disposable mask from reception on their way in, plus a fresh one for after lunch (or they can catch the staff on duty who’s running around with packs of fresh masks trying to restock kids before they go back in!) No fancy designs or pouches unfortunately, but hopefully it helps.

And if you’re worried about your kids pulling dirty masks out of their pocket - give them 2 or 3 to take to school, in a washable bag to keep them clean and a different bag for the dirty ones to bring home to be washed

We use a nappy wet/dry bag with two pouches - one for clean, one for dirty. Whole lot - bag included - goes in the wash at the weekend. However, this relies on me having had enough money to buy us all the wet/dry bags and at least 10 masks each to put in them. It might not be hard but nor is it cheap and what with the way the world it is, there's an awful lot of people out there who are going to struggle to pay for that.

@EnoughnowIthink

10 masks each is not needed.

Two is sufficient for school - one for pre-lunch, one for post-lunch. A spare could be a good idea if possible. They can be hand washed each evening and dried very easily and quickly over night.

Its great the school can supply them to kids who need them.
Hope they are being taught to dispose of them in a safe and hygenic way.

@SugarfreeBlitz

I'm curious to know if there's some sort of charity for masks because there must be loads of kids whose parents can't afford pretty/cool masks and zip pouches to keep them in.

Our London council gives them out for free. You can go online and order one for each member of the household. I don't know if other councils are doing this.

Also the secondary has been handing out disposable masks for kids that forget theirs. Very expensive for the school though.

In the US my friends daughter in kindergarten made a lanyard in their craft class to hook their mask on when they didn’t need to wear it so that the masks weren’t being dropped on the floor by five year olds.
She has to wear her mask all day inside. No mask, no school attendance.

@Truelymadlydeeplysomeonesmum our school charges us if our kid needs a mask!

They really should charge imo if it's not parent's who can't afford it.

In my school we as staff are paying for own masks - the school can't afford to supply them and the government aren't funding it as you know. Budgets have been hammered by covid already.

When masks in corridors were introduced everyone had to produce and put on a mask (unless exempt) in order to enter school. Parents were warned in advance that if kids arrived without masks they would need to be collected or brought a mask before being admitted and they had a little holding pen near the bus bay. Ds forgot his mask one day (non teaching day for me) and I got a phonecall letting me know he was in the pen.

I was quite surprised as we don't seem to do anything even about the kids from relatively affluent homes who turn up endlessly without essential equipment like pens but fair play.

We would always help struggling parents beyond the levels of what you'd expect I don't think we should be giving masks to kids whose parents just can't be bothered to supply them rather than can't afford it. We can't afford to provide ppe to staff let alone kids whose parents can totally afford it for their children.

Parents who can afford it could be billed. Its tough as its an extra cost, which is hard for everyone.
Even kids from affluent homes would forget a mask sometimes I expect, but maybe they could be charged enough money for one mask to pay for two masks so that the spare money would fund a mask for a poor child.

I’m a bit worried about my 12 year old - he’s very shortsighted - needs glasses all the time and his glasses steam up as soon as he puts a mask on - no idea how he’s going to cope all day . In principle I’m fine with masks “

Has he tried an N95? bit more pricey than the other disposables (£22 for 20 on Amazon today, their “choice”, UK manufacturer)

Find they fit much better and have the bonus of providing the wearer with significant protection too,

Today 11:41 SugarfreeBlitz

I'm curious to know if there's some sort of charity for masks because there must be loads of kids whose parents can't afford pretty/cool masks and zip pouches to keep them in“

Trussell Trust was happy to receive (unopened) packs 3 weeks ago.

My daughter has very sensitive skin and gets a fungal skin infection from wearing a mask. She then needs antibiotics and anti fungal meds to shift it. We just don’t know what to do, I’d keep her home but she is Y11, returning to start mocks on 10/3, and the email the school sent today says attendance is mandatory and they won’t be offering recorded lessons.

I just cannot have her permanently on these meds.

Ask that she be exempt from wearing one would seem less drastic than keeping her at home.

Again, has she tried a N95 (I don’t sell them 😁) we’ve recently bought some and they are much more figuring, they’re designed for comfortable, long term use.

If that doesn’t work, she is exactly the person the exemptions are there for!

This is why everyone who can, should. To help protect your daughter and others who can’t tolerate them.

noblegiraffe I’m worried it will seem like we are being difficult. And she’ll probably feel the odd one out. But yes, obviously keeping her home is not an option.
DeniseTheMenace We haven’t tried those, no. The issue seems to be the exhale, so if the N95s are better at clearing a damp environment, they’re worth a shot.

Thanks

I’m worried it will seem like we are being difficult

It won’t. If you’ve had a relationship with a school until your child is in Y11, then they won’t think you’ve suddenly become “difficult”. They’ll want your girl to be ok, and she won’t be the only one.

smileeachday

thank you, that is a very kind comment.

The N95 (is that the right term?) is my mask of choice for in-school wear. Pricey but doesn't cling to your face (more like a shell) and more protective I believe. I would probably want more than one if wearing for the entire day as a pupil would be.

Also, what about one of the plastic extenders - google things like 'choral singing mask frame', which would keep the fabric off her face, and might stop the infections as a result?

My daughter's secondary was wearing them all the time since after October half term so nothing new for her.

Cannot believe you all think this is ok. I have an eight year old. Because I live in Scotland, he’s expected to wear one in shops and so on. We don’t allow it and have never had any problems. No way would I allow my child to wear one in school either.

@TimandGinger

Cannot believe you all think this is ok. I have an eight year old. Because I live in Scotland, he’s expected to wear one in shops and so on. We don’t allow it and have never had any problems. No way would I allow my child to wear one in school either.

Then you are an idiot.

@TimandGinger

Cannot believe you all think this is ok. I have an eight year old. Because I live in Scotland, he’s expected to wear one in shops and so on. We don’t allow it and have never had any problems. No way would I allow my child to wear one in school either.

God forbid your precious darling puts up with an extremely minor inconvenience for a few minutes to help protect the lives of other people during a global pandemic.

@whatisthislifesofullofcare

noblegiraffe I’m worried it will seem like we are being difficult. And she’ll probably feel the odd one out. But yes, obviously keeping her home is not an option. DeniseTheMenace We haven’t tried those, no. The issue seems to be the exhale, so if the N95s are better at clearing a damp environment, they’re worth a shot.

Thanks

My eldest son and I both wear glasses and we find the N95 pretty good. I think the key is to close the gap above your nose, as for me it's the exhale here that causes the steam. So the N95 or a cloth one with a really well-fitted nose piece does the job. It's just a case of finding the right one.