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Original poster

Facemasks when on school premises -outside

91 replies

tinseloatcake · 26/05/2021 22:53

I'm interested in whether schools are generally still expecting parents to do this, or indeed whether schools who have requested this have put an end date - proposed or confirmed.

I'm pretty naffed off with this as an approach. I am happy to wear a face mask when interacting with teachers or in the busy walk through bit for the reception drop off, but I am less than happy to wear a facemask for the 20 mins I am standing outside on my waiting for the bonkers staggered entry for my older children

We had a letter from the director of public health today via the school with latest news and it referenced only wearing facemasks indoors when moving about or in conjested areas. So I politely asked the school when they might review the policy and asked if they could make it more proportionate.

I got a flat no, and September at the earliest for a review. No further explanation.

Is this in the realms of normal?

OP posts:
Saltyslug · 27/05/2021 06:58

My SILs school want parents to wear masks at outside pick up. It is not a recommendation developed by the government, it’s just something the school have made up. The parents think this is ridiculous and are not following direction.

ceeveebee · 27/05/2021 07:04

Our primary school has asked us to carry on wearing them on the advice of local public health. We are in greater Manchester though, not in a hot spot but in a neighbouring borough and rates ave been rising, so seems sensible.

FflosFfantastig · 27/05/2021 07:05

The trouble is, ridiculous rules come in and because they're never reviewed or have an end date they just become the norm. Just because it's easy enough to do doesn't mean it makes any sense

JPduck · 27/05/2021 07:07

At our school parents wear masks however, now if they don't they will not be asked to wear one.

randomsabreuse · 27/05/2021 07:08

As someone who wears glasses, most days wearing a mask outside isn't an inconvenience but if it's raining (or cold, but that's less of an issue in May, hopefully) I can't actually see properly because I can't avoid the steaming...

ZoBo123 · 27/05/2021 07:10

I play an outside sport with 3 of my daughters friend's mums. Last night we were outside for an hour and a half either talking or playing the sport. Definitely not distancing and breathing all over each other. Why? Because it is allowed and the chances are virtually zero of catching Covid. But this morning we will have to be masked up to drop our children off outside in a playground big enough to allow about 4m of social distancing. I am hoping the school will scrap it after half term

WaitingForNormality · 27/05/2021 07:25

We still do. I know it's outside so risks are far lower, but actually the pavement and playground do get quite busy with parents and Other people and I'm quite happy to pop a mask on then. It doesn't really bother me much! Our school haven't mentioned dropping this requirement yet and given majority of parents (it's a primary) will only just be getting 1st jabs now I think they'll keep it in place for a while yet.

LemonCake79 · 27/05/2021 07:25

The issue isn't whether it inconveniences me, the issue is whether it makes any difference whatsoever to the transmission of Covid.

Given the rates of transmission outside are near zero and the larger group on the playground (children) have no masks it is a ridiculous request. We have huge grounds and siblings are dropped / picked up at the family's earliest / latest time so no one is hanging around.

Oldpeoplesprinting · 27/05/2021 07:33

I wouldn’t wear it - performative mask wearing really annoys me! If you’re outside & not up right next to people, what’s the point? Just so you can look holier than thou...

Original poster
tinseloatcake · 27/05/2021 07:35

Interesting comments thanks. Im glad a good few agree that it is totally pointless. My main disappointment is that there seem to be no plans to review it. We are in a very low covid place at the moment. It is disproportionate. Id happily wear it with high cases and massive transmission. I can literally have a six person orgy in my home, but I cannot stand outside with out a mask on.

I have noted it is guidance but it seems a shame to take that approach

And no to those of you who point out that I haven't died from wearing a mask. Is that the best you can come up with?

To comment on the pp above suggesting that risk assessments about sibling groups "was high on the priority list Hmm" - it would be a pretty shit assesment if it didn't actually look at the risks of the change in approach.

And finally, yes I do wear a face mask at work. I work in emergency services. We wear masks on a risk basis. We don't have to wear them outside....

OP posts:
actiongirl1978 · 27/05/2021 07:37

Our school has got rid of them, inside and out.

I've spoken to teachers inside and offered to wear a mask but they said it is my choice.

I also work in a school and they have gone entirely.

No onr wanted to keep wearing them. But if a teacher did want to they were offered the choice.

DistrictCommissioner · 27/05/2021 07:41

We have to line up on the road, and the children are released from the gate when you reach the queue - not allowed on the premises but have to wear a mask in the queue.

I hope we can drop them soon - haven’t heard anything - but as a new parent to the school I do feel they inhibit social interaction.

Brown76 · 27/05/2021 07:46

We’re still doing it (London) and I think the school will drop it if June 21 goes ahead. I think it’s reasonable as it’s a space where lots of age groups mix including unvaccinated young kids, babies and grandparents from 100s of households and some of the streets and gateways are very narrow, yet its somewhere its compulsory to go to

magbob · 27/05/2021 07:51

Our school still requires them, but we are in Bolton! That could be why no one seems to be querying it...

DappledThings · 27/05/2021 07:52

We still have them but it does feel silly. We are asked to wear them on school grounds but then everyone spills out onto the field the school backs on to, masks are off and if it isnt raining the kids all play together and the parents chat.

I forgot mine the other morning. Nobody gave me a second glance and I didn't feel guilty. I did put it back on in the afternoon but I do think they should consider removing them soon.

nancywhitehead · 27/05/2021 07:56

It seems odd that they are not even reviewing it until September when all restrictions are meant to be lifted later in June.

RaspberryCoulis · 27/05/2021 07:59

@Archiduchesse

Is it really that difficult to wear a mask for twenty minutes?
For some people, yes it is. Hmm

this is such a ridiculous rule in situations where you are outside, in the fresh air, standing apart from other parents.

Hallyup6 · 27/05/2021 08:00

I think it's daft. I don't go into the playground for my year 6 child but I have to for my nursery child. The playground is huge, everyone socially distances and has to wear a mask. The second they leave the playground, masks are whipped off and there's a huge group of parents congregating closely on the pavement outside, chatting. It makes zero sense. Staggered start times are making it worse because parents are hanging around for longer when they've got more than one child, even though they're supposed to come at the latest drop off time. They don't though, they hate their other child being 'late'.

BogRollBOGOF · 27/05/2021 09:52

Staggered starts mean we have parents on the playground for 2x 20 mins per day. I have 2x 10 mins.

Outdoor transmission is very, very low. blog.parkrun.com/uk/2021/04/23/new-research-shows-exceptionally-low-risk-of-covid-transmission-at-outdoor-sporting-events/ (nb that that data is at March levels so for the majority of the UK would be far lower now) If cases are spreading through schools, it's not through parents in the open air, it's through families, within classrooms and close contacts out of school.

Masks in this setting is entirely performative.

They are not consequence free either. They hinder communication and are socially divisive. The absence of lip reading and added distortion of speech means there are some people I can not talk with and group conversation is very gappy to follow because I can't decipher what is being said. This has often been my only opportunity for adult conversation in a day because my normal outlets have often been stopped outright and still aren't back to normal. Having a trauma response to seeing others in masks, being forced to be in that environment twice a day has aggravated my issues.
It certainly is not a small harmless, inconsequential thing and has no tangiable benefit. This kind of pointless insanity has to stop.

Minstermouse · 27/05/2021 09:57

Do you have to wear a mask at work? 20 more minutes doesn’t make much difference, does it?

murbblurb · 27/05/2021 09:58

The exasperated head of our local primary had to write to all the parents telling them to wear masks, socially distance and not let the small kids run round touching everything. They do seem a collection of village idiots, as can be seen at pickup where they sit in their chunky cars with the engines running, staring at their chunky phones and then driving two minutes to their homes.

Common sense is an oxymoron, sadly.

colourchanginglipstick · 27/05/2021 09:59

Our school still requires it, we have to queue up on the pavement outside before going through the playground to grab our kids. I hate it as I'm more likely to trip and break a bone from not being able to see properly than catch covid outside. It seems pointless as I whip it off the second I'm out the other side and talk to people normally.

Deliaskis · 27/05/2021 10:11

Our school has said they are keeping them, I think because our LEA hasn't changed their guidance, and I guess no school wants a possible future single case of transmission to be blamed on them for 'not following guidance'. We are also in an area with very low rates, but the very northern tip of our county (over an hour's drive away) neighbours a higher rate area.

ArchbishopOfBanterbury · 27/05/2021 10:14

The risk of transmission outside is practically zero. Masks don't really make any difference outside.

But, rules are rules and I wouldn't pick a fight with the school over it.

Deliaskis · 27/05/2021 10:15

There are other measures in place though that I would have hoped would have been revised by now on account of being stupid. E.g. nobody on school grounds before 8.45, but then KS2 in by 8.50 and KS1/EY by 9. Sounds OK in theory, but as nobody wants to be late and miss the narrow window for KS2, everybody arrives early, queues down the pavement, forcing pedestrians to pass very closely or go into the road, and this includes every single child attending the school that is further down the (cul de sac) road. It's bad enough having 2 primary schools plus several businesses and public services down one dead end road, without stopping people congregating in school grounds by making them congregate on the pavement.