Secondary School - First maskless day!

[palacegirl77]

Daughter not long since home from her face day without a face mask. She said it was so strange - she felt like she was missing something all day and that she found it hard to put up her hand and answer questions as she felt weird that people could see her face. Im pleased her school have gone with guidance, the lack of confidence to communicate is concerning. She said none of the teachers wore them at any point (but Im assuming thats their choice, not guidance as the school said if anyone wanted to wear them they could). Going to be another change for them to deal with but lets hope its a change for the better.

I think it’s a balance of possible harm.

So for example there is a post at the moment about women forced to wear masks when in labour. I think we accept that the harm done by insisting women wear masks when giving birth is more severe than possible covid - for most women of child bearing age.

However you do have to wear them when you go for scans etc.

yy I think women in labour should never have had to wear masks. Although I don't work in Obs and Gyne so not sure of their protocol.

@itsgettingwierd

The rest of society was still keeping apart though wasn't it - so of course they would be. Similar to now probably, it will be the unvaccinated catching it. Still less likely for a child to pass on than an adult.

But these children were taking it home. It didn't matter what the adults were doing. And the fact the adults were keeping away and it was still transmitting at an exponential rate is even more concerning.

If it's the school kids bringing it home why not just make it that little bit safer and have the same requirements for masks as they need in other public spaces - including on the transport in the way to school.

If they don't need masks in corridors why do they need them in school buses?

Why are the rules different in different places - the virus doesn't transmit differently dependent on where you are. It transmits differently dependent in the environment - and crowded places are known to increase transmission.

Personally I wouldnt have an issue with kids wearing them in corridors but it's not really comparable to a school bus which they may sit on for up to an hour as opposed to 5 mins in a corridor?

@herecomesthsun

yy I think women in labour should never have had to wear masks. Although I don't work in Obs and Gyne so not sure of their protocol.

I had to have a fan on my face when I was in labour because I was so hot (January baby!) I can't even imagine how awful a mask must feel. Poor ladies. Surely a LFT would be the answer there?

LFT or PCR maybe if there's time?

@herecomesthsun

LFT or PCR maybe if there's time?

Absolutely! Surely within a hospital they could sort that? Or a PCR a week before due date then isolating until in labour?

a school bus which they may sit on for up to an hour

As opposed to a school classroom in which they may sit for up to...an hour? And then another, and then another, until the end of the school day?

@borntobequiet

a school bus which they may sit on for up to an hour

As opposed to a school classroom in which they may sit for up to...an hour? And then another, and then another, until the end of the school day?

Thats taken out of context - it was answering a point suggesting if they need them on buses (more than 30 kids, mixed bubbles) they should need them in corridors. I was pointing out time on bus is longer than time in a corridor.

Palace there may be a few who do sit on a bus for up to an hour.

But that's the same people daily and a smaller number of people mixing than corridors even if the direct contact time is shorter.

My personal opinion is the risks are similar and so if one requires a mask so should the other.

In the same way a supermarket is closer to a corridor set up but they are required there for anyone over 11.

@itsgettingwierd

Palace there may be a few who do sit on a bus for up to an hour.

But that's the same people daily and a smaller number of people mixing than corridors even if the direct contact time is shorter.

My personal opinion is the risks are similar and so if one requires a mask so should the other.

In the same way a supermarket is closer to a corridor set up but they are required there for anyone over 11.

My point was theyre not comparable due to timing and ventilation - but in any effect I wouldnt be against children wearing masks in either circumstance as its a much shorter time frame where communication isnt impaired.

Busses are likely to be more ventilated than classrooms - which is the whole irony!

And especially more so than corridors which generally have no form of ventilation due to the nature of them.

I would imagine that's one of the reasons they are required in shops too - lack of ventilation?

Thats taken out of contex

However, the point I made is a perfectly valid one.

@borntobequiet

Thats taken out of contex

However, the point I made is a perfectly valid one.

Ok. Whatever makes you happy 😊

@itsgettingwierd

Busses are likely to be more ventilated than classrooms - which is the whole irony!

And especially more so than corridors which generally have no form of ventilation due to the nature of them.

I would imagine that's one of the reasons they are required in shops too - lack of ventilation?

I guess I can only base my thoughts on what is relevant in my child's school. It's an art deco design, every corridor has large windows in it (it's in a block) as do the classrooms, maybe that's why theyve gone with advice and removed masks?

Possibly. The schools I work in and the one my ds attended plus a few other secondary schools around here I'm very familiar with have narrow unventilated and very crowded corridors.

In fact they have very limited free space inside for children to gather in outside of classrooms.

I think when the weather is more reliable it would be a good idea for rules to be every student goes outside at break and lunch. This would be a good use of risk assessment.

Right now it's just not a suitable climate.

So @palacegirl77 you should therefore realise each school is different and not be so strident that masks should be foregone in all schools. I teach in an Victorian school building. I can touch both side of the walls in corridors as they’re that narrow. One if the classrooms I teach in doesn’t even have a window to even open. Each school should be allowed their own Health and Safety policy.

@motherrunner

So *@palacegirl77* you should therefore realise each school is different and not be so strident that masks should be foregone in all schools. I teach in an Victorian school building. I can touch both side of the walls in corridors as they’re that narrow. One if the classrooms I teach in doesn’t even have a window to even open. Each school should be allowed their own Health and Safety policy.

I'm not entirely sure I haven't said that? I agree that if, in accordance with the local PH extra factors are needed that's a sensible approach (in for example areas with high rates). My issue was that when masks were implemented by the Gov all schools adopted them, but when the reverse happens some schools seemed reluctant to then take on the most recent advice. I'm pleased my daughter's school has gotten rid of them and hope that moving forward the situation will improve in other areas and as more teachers get vaccinated.

@itsgettingwierd

Possibly. The schools I work in and the one my ds attended plus a few other secondary schools around here I'm very familiar with have narrow unventilated and very crowded corridors.

In fact they have very limited free space inside for children to gather in outside of classrooms.

I think when the weather is more reliable it would be a good idea for rules to be every student goes outside at break and lunch. This would be a good use of risk assessment.

Right now it's just not a suitable climate.

That is interesting. My daughter is able to gather in year group bubble both inside and out (not in the classroom).

The 3 schools my teens go to have gone with the local authorities recommendations and kept masks on in classrooms, they will review weekly.
We have a high infection rate and I know Ds has classmates isolating and ds1 college has two classes in isolation and the college are going to start testing onsite again from tomorrow.

Palace the reason lots of schools haven't decided to stop mask wearing as the guidance allows (which actually isn't guidance to stop but rather recinding the statutory part that you must) is for exactly the reasons you've agreed on. Risk assessment.

Whatever guidance the health and safety part is still law.

So with covid you must follow the law and uphold H and S and do a risk assessment. And therefore most schools haven't been able to say no masks required anywhere.

Some have been able to say not in classrooms.

@itsgettingwierd

Possibly. The schools I work in and the one my ds attended plus a few other secondary schools around here I'm very familiar with have narrow unventilated and very crowded corridors.

In fact they have very limited free space inside for children to gather in outside of classrooms.

I think when the weather is more reliable it would be a good idea for rules to be every student goes outside at break and lunch. This would be a good use of risk assessment.

Right now it's just not a suitable climate.

My son's school has a school field and they are sent out there for the whole duration of every lunchtime unless it is tipping down.

Masks have never done anything but make people feel better, I’m glad the schools are taking them off.

@Temp023

Masks have never done anything but make people feel better, I’m glad the schools are taking them off.

And you have categorical scientific evidence to prove this?

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/05/17/exclusive-government-has-already-u-turned-ending-masks-classrooms/

Whitehall officials have agreed with directors of public health at Blackburn and Darwen, Bolton, Lancashire and Sefton councils that masks should continue to be worn in lessons and corridors.

It comes amid rising concern about a surge in the Indian variant of Covid-19, which early data suggests could be more transmissible than other variants.

.... by Friday evening, deals had been struck with several local councils to extend the use of masks in the classroom. "

Glad they are exercising some common sense here.

Yes thats good news. Will hopefully get some control back.