No more masks in classrooms - hurray!

[TeddingtonTrashbag]

Hurray!
I am a secondary teacher and just hope it really happens.

www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/05/06/exclusive-end-masks-classroom-boris-johnson-defies-unions/

@duffeldaisy

upandout - it's not new. The AZ vaccine is based on one that's been in use safely for over a decade. They had exactly the same amount of testing that they normally do over several years, the difference being they didn't have to wait for months and months in between every stage for the next lot of money. To be passed for use they have to have that same amount of testing. And they all have. I'm not trying to push the vaccine, but it's simply untrue to say it's untested/less tested than all the other vaccines that have been approved over the years, or a trial still.

It's also linked to blood clots and received a ban in a fair few countries. I don't want to risk that on myself or my kids when chances are it'll be a mild cold for a few days. Not anti-vaxx, my kids have had all the others. I just don't think they need this one -not worth the risk to me.

@murbblurb

Because we have a generation of disobedient brats who don't do as they are told. New mask or clean mask at least once a day (hopefully more), on properly, don't fiddle with it. I see them on the bus all in chinstrap mode. Same as their fuckwit parents.

Put yourself in a mask for 9 hours per day 5 days a week at age 11 and don’t touch it. Bet you everything I own you don’t last. It’s actually you who sound like a brat and a fuckwit with that post

Redcurrant
Online learning must never be allowed to happen again.

Hopefully not, if case numbers in schools don't go through the roof again. But if you look at the one in Derbyshire then they have had to close. That's the thing - there needs to be more done to stop it spreading in schools, especially because we're so close to full vaccination now. If it spreads and mutates then the vaccinations would have to start all over again. Wearing masks, or increasing ventilation, or even doing some online classes could stop that happening and we can then actually live more normally again much quicker.

Better late than never! So pleased for the kids.

What duffel said. If it goes to total shit again next winter then they'll be back on-line. Best to do everything we can to stop it going pear shaped again.

Remind me again- what did they do in Chile? Oh yeah, they had a decent % of the population vaccinated but relaxed the rules far too quickly ending up in a mess even though their vaccination program was doing brilliantly.
Add Indian variant to the mix here and it’s a perfect cocktail.
This is getting better by the minute.

@CovidHalloween

Remind me again- what did they do in Chile? Oh yeah, they had a decent % of the population vaccinated but relaxed the rules far too quickly ending up in a mess even though their vaccination program was doing brilliantly. Add Indian variant to the mix here and it’s a perfect cocktail. This is getting better by the minute.

Remind me again which vaccination in Chile, and its rates of effectiveness... Not the same situation here.

Williamson has just confirmed no more masks.

Pre masks, DS in sixth form had to isolate thrice; huge disruption to his studies. Post masks, he hasn't had to isolate once and has not complained about wearing one. I think this is a very bad move and I just hope they offer vaccines quickly to secondary school.

Really?
Fucking hell, they'd better crack on with a paediatric vaccine programme then.

Here. www.theguardian.com/education/2021/may/07/face-masks-for-english-secondary-school-pupils-to-be-ditched-williamson-confirms?CMP=twt_gu&utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium#Echobox=1620381936

Yay, more COVID in schools and more kids in self isolation. Yay!

So what effective vaccine has your teenager had then @BogRollBOGOF? Because round here they're still working their way through the over 40s.

Since when did Williamson ever make a sensible decision in respect of education. Interesting the article says masks to be worn in areas where social distancing isn't possible, because that would be classrooms!

After all this time Boris Johnson and the Education secretary are still unable to join the dots when it comes to classrooms. Children sitting CMs apart are supposedly socially distancing??

I’m a speech and language therapist in schools I don’t think people understand the damage marks are doing to the education and social development of students who have communication needs (far more than people realise). I don’t object to wearing them in shops for longer but kids with SEN, ASD, hearing impairment, dyslexia, English as an additional language etc have all suffered so much in this pandemic and their the most affected by mask wearing

This. So sick of people minimising the negative impact masks are having on language/communication and normal social interaction, particularly among vulnerable groups and those such as the young where such interactions are developmentally important.

I think this is excellent news and will be delighted to see the back of masks, whose benefits were always marginal at best.

Ever seen someone breathing out of one on a cold frosty day? Air vapour comes out of all side of the mask..

I can see the disadvantages of masks, but if it has helped kids get back in the more classroom more quickly, then they have been a good thing.

I am wondering about the Covid survey figures, if prevalence is still going down then that would be more reassuring.

I'm aware that we are very lucky to be in an area with few cases, I find that very reassuring.

@dingit

Ever seen someone breathing out of one on a cold frosty day? Air vapour comes out of all side of the mask..

It does, but mask catches a lot of virus surrounded by moisture, and also the range will be limited, compared to breath out without masks.

A HUGE mistake imo.

We have had numerous cases in our secondary schools.

I can't imagine the no masks making that better.
Maybe no masks but vaccinate all the teachers.

LOL anti masker OP praising a foolishly stupid move by an inept useless slow government. You sure you’re a teacher? ☺️🙄

Only on MN. 🤣😂

Let’s just say once the Indian variant starts taking root significantly we’ll be back to home schooling before you know it.

If schools don't need to have masks, why do we need them in other crowded places?

Schools are work places for many adults.
They should have the same rules as for any other work place where people are sat in close contact, especially as there is no social distancing.

Fair enough if masks are not required anywhere else, but if they are then it's only fair that those adults and vulnerable adults and students, many of whom remain unvaccinated should be given at least the bare minimum of 'protection.'

This is a mistake, if it happens.

Mask wearing has made my daughter much less anxious about going to school as she doesn’t want to catch it or bring it home.

The school have had a huge reduction in cases since masks were introduced therefore less disruption to their education. We haven’t had one period of isolation compared to three times before. I know which I prefer.