Masks for kids

[bingowingsmcgee]

Is it masks all day then for secondary kids? Can't they just offer all the staff the vaccine and then crack on? Pretty horrible for the kids.

Masks all day if social distancing isn't possible. Vaccinating the teachers won't stop the DCs getting it and spreading it.

What about at lunch?

They’ll probably end up wearing them for about 4.5 hours a day over three separate time periods.

I think they will survive.

Abroad - masks on all day in classroom, remove to eat. Outside depends on the school but many have started wearing masks outside. Given the choice between this or no in person school, DC takes masks and rules hands down, no quibble. 0 cases in school since September. Applies from Grade 1 up (6 yrs old +)

It's so not a big deal, honestly. Kids from 6 up have been wearing them at all times in public, indoors and out since the summer here in Spain. They wear them in class, for sports, everything. They manage fine. I've never heard any of them complain. It is just a total non event.

It's about community spread not teacher spread.

But it does make me smile that now all of a sudden people want the teachers vaccinated when they think it affects their own kids.

@OrangeBlossomsinthesun

It's so not a big deal, honestly. Kids from 6 up have been wearing them at all times in public, indoors and out since the summer here in Spain. They wear them in class, for sports, everything. They manage fine. I've never heard any of them complain. It is just a total non event.

Same here in France. Kids adapt very well.

incogweeto I always wanted the teachers offered vaccines as priority.

It really surprises me that people are ok with masking kids. Especially primary school kids, and even at playtime

I'm OK with it because it has meant 96 % of schools here have no cases or closures and because my kids have been wearing them and have been absolutely fine with it.
You don't have to wear them except in shops so it feels like a massive deal. It is not.

Couldn’t agree more @bingowingsmcgee . Crazy how willing people are to do this especially when children mental health is already so fragile.

I’m so pleased with the decision, made me feel relieved when I heard. My daughter was delighted!
Our children understand and want to play their part in reducing the spread. I’m sure many will worry less about infecting their parents.

Ours went back in September wearing masks full time

DD caught the virus in November

Highly effective

Their mental health would be harmed more if they catch and speed the virus to their family.

It will depend on types of masks worn, how protective they’ll be. I know France have toughened up on this. Maybe wearing a mask will mean viral load will be less even if you catch it?

We live in a country where children wear masks to school. The benefits of being in school outweigh the inconvenience of wearing a mask. If it means children can attend school, after having missed more than 5 months of in person school, why not? It’s not just about education. The social aspect especially as no meet ups/play dates, access to additional supports, vulnerable individuals can be better helped, school food programmes, etc

@Nerdygirl

Couldn’t agree more *@bingowingsmcgee* . Crazy how willing people are to do this especially when children mental health is already so fragile.

People keep saying this about mental health. MILLIONS of children in Spain have been wearing masks at school since September and are not suffering with their mental health because of it. It means schools have stayed open since September which I would argue it much better for mental health than being locked down over and over and not being able to go to school. Seriously, what is the big deal about masks? We've all been wearing them at all times in public for MONTHS and it is fine. Ffs it gets to 40 degrees here in the summer, it was still not that a big deal.

I genuinely don't see the problem with children (endless exempt) wearing masks. Mine are 9 and 11 and it is h comfortable but they get why when we've gone to shops etc.

I really don't get the furore.

@unchienandalusia

I genuinely don't see the problem with children (endless exempt) wearing masks. Mine are 9 and 11 and it is h comfortable but they get why when we've gone to shops etc.

I really don't get the furore.

Me neither. I think maybe if you don't have to wear them except to go in a shop maybe it seems like a much bigger deal. But it baffles me.

Okay, help me out here - for people who don’t want children to wear masks - how do you think children in countries where this is a requirement to attend school in person have suffered or been harmed? What’s the evidence in support of this?

I’m in Canada, people with family in Spain and France have also written about their experiences with children and masks. What is the basis and empirical evidence for not for children?

Why is it harder for children to wear a mask than anyone else? For the most part if we are being honest it's easier for children as there are less hearing losses in the young. Older people in environments where masks are worn are much more disadvantaged as more likely to rely on lip reading. Most kids will still be able to hear their friends.

In many countries, no mask, no school from age five upwards. Sounds good to me. If the U.K. had acted earlier with mandatory mask wearing perhaps schools could have stayed open.

Its great unless your deaf or disabled in some way that makes learning more difficult my youngest relies heavily on facial cues just seeing eyes doesn't cut it

It's really not a huge deal - kids are fine with it. Parents seem to think it's terrible but the kids just crack on with it.

Most of the western world has mandated mask wearing for kids from young age and they're all doing okay.