Masks in classrooms secondary

[Hummmmming]

www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/01/schools-in-england-told-wear-masks-in-class-as-fears-mount-of-omicron-surge?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

Until the 26th of January

Have a look at Cambridge masks- they sell FFP2 masks which have air filters in and can be worn for a certain number of hours before needing to be disposed (it’s a lot of hours- like weeks worth). I bought some of these as was working in a school whilst pregnant in winter term. Comfortable, cheaper than the disposable FFP2 per wear and felt like a better option for the environment.

@megletthesecond

Good. Both my dc's secondaries have been doing this since mid December. Anything that reduces transmission and keeps them at school is a good thing.

It hasn’t worked like that in Scotland where they have always been compulsory since schools went back in March 2021. What makes you think it will make a difference in England ?

An atmosphere of silence is a good thing in a classroom!

"Stunting" of communication skills, again hyperbolic rubbish. As a teacher with hearing problems I managed and so did the students.

First rule of parenting, never believe everything your children tell you!

Omicron has now reached a remote research station in Antarctica so I doubt very much that mask wearing in schools will make any difference whatsoever

@MumbleCrumbs

I know it's the right thing to do, but I feel so desperately sorry for DD(13) she has aspergers and her glasses getting steamed up/the sensation of the mask on her face etc causes her so much distress. She also won't use any exemption as she doesn't want to stand out . The whole thing is a bloody mess and I can't believe we're back here again.

There's a fantastic spray you can buy to stop glasses steaming up. I bought one from boots, you just spray it on each morning.

@meditrina yep I feel for year 13s especially but it is all well snd good saying prioritise GCSE and A Level students but A Level especially need their subject teacher. One of DDs was off for 3 weeks without supply. Thankfully she is self motivated but the the Govt mitigation is info on focus with harder grade boundaries than previous years os awful.

Good. My school have been wearing them since before break up and everyone just settled back to it with no issue. Those who have exemptions are fine-we have a list of who’s exempt sent out each day and everyone just gets on with it. I keep a supply of spares in my classroom as well as anti fog gel for specs wearers like me.
Teenagers are amazing.

Are awful

@Fairylights25

But the clubs and pubs are packed full of maskless revellers.

I am fucking furious.

Our children are yet again being muzzled, stunting their communication skills, their ability to express themselves, causing breathing issues for those with anxiety, creating an atmosphere of silence in the class room (according to both of my children) affecting speech and friendships.

I am livid.

I completely agree.

This was always going to happen, because BoJo fucked up Christmas and New Year last year and with all the stories about the 'parties' in and around the Parliament in the last few weeks there was no way he would put any restrictions this year.

So once again children are going to suffer and be blamed for the increase of cases again.

I doubt most schools will do staggered starts for testing. Our are testing before the start of term as before.

@SarahJessicaParker1

Weird they aren't asking people to wear masks I hospitality though (when not at the table obviously)

Exactly my thought. Everywhere but hospitality. Why aren't at least staff in these places mandatory. Obviously economical but fed up with schools being the easy target.

Plenty of ventilation in my primary kids are sitting in coats and blankets. No ventilation is applied in hospitality venues.

@Watapalava

Its a fuking disgrace

More so that people are not up in arms

Hundreds can pack in night clubs, hugging and dancing pissed up all night but kids wear masks all day

You in favour are a disgrace and should be ashamed that you sold your kids off for this whilst adults do what they want

Hear hear. They want to look like they are doing something to tick a box. Too little too late.

I don’t even need them in hospitality

They won’t do much and dc don’t need to be the group to aim for

Share frustration with pp but don’t need changes elsewhere

I wear glasses and I own many masks! I have found the best one is the AirPop mask which can be bought on Amazon. The one I wear has a clear plastic thing on the top which makes a seal. It doesn't always work but 9/10 does. I also use the spray which also helps. Just make sure it is one that doesn't damage coatings. You can also get wipes or a cloth which might be more suitable for your daughter to carry.

@Fairylights25

But the clubs and pubs are packed full of maskless revellers.

I am fucking furious.

Our children are yet again being muzzled, stunting their communication skills, their ability to express themselves, causing breathing issues for those with anxiety, creating an atmosphere of silence in the class room (according to both of my children) affecting speech and friendships.

I am livid.

Their communication skills and friendships will be affected considerably more by another period of remote learning.

I'm a teacher. I don't want to go back to teaching online. If I never see Google Classroom again it will be too soon. But I don't see why it was ever considered safe for me to be in a poorly ventilated space all day with unvaccinated, maskless teenagers. Unless, that is, you believed the government lies from the autumn of 2020 about schools not being vectors of Covid

@Northsoutheastwest76

I doubt most schools will do staggered starts for testing. Our are testing before the start of term as before.

Will schools have enough LF tests to do them anyway.

We have some LFT at home and my 2 (12 & 14) high school will do them on Tuesday before they go back (even though we haven't been out and about), and they had their second vaccine last Thursday. And my Sixth form College child (17) has had both of her vaccine and has to do LF Tests every day when she is in college.

I'm in Italy and a teacher. Our students have been in masks since September. Surgical or ffp2 only. Probably moving to ffp2 next week.
We had one case of Covid between September and when schools broke up.
All subjects managed to be taught so lord knows what subject a pp teaches where you can't wear a mask.
Obviously those figures were also v low because almost every one of the 988 and absolutely every member of staff are double/triple vaccinated respectively.

Numbers have rocketed since schools finished for Christmas, concerning figures obviously and we're expecting further restrictions to be announced. But hopefully because of the rigid Covid protocols in schools there won't be any disruption which is what everyone wants for the kids.

@dementedpixie

Meh, they've had to wear them for months in Scotland. Was supposed to be up until the October break last year but was extended and still not been ended

Yup, it was supposed to be for a "wee while" when the schools went back in August and has never stopped.

And our Covid rates are just the same as parts of the UK where kids aren't masked in the classrooms.

There should be data available by now comparing secondary schools in Scotland and England to see what impact of wearing masks in the classroom has had. Many are saying that masks have made no difference but data is needed.

@SarahJessicaParker1

Weird they aren't asking people to wear masks I hospitality though (when not at the table obviously)

Money. Hospitality brings in The Man. Kids having an uninterrupted education doesn't. Not immediately. And Johnson and co don't give a fuck as long as it doesn't affect Eton. Which it won't.

You can get LFTs quite easily. My family, including my parents (who I order for) need to test daily at the moment due to close contact & I’ve ordered a box every day for the last 4 days at 8.30am-ish. No problem at all. These boxes are for 4 adults & 3 children, so we need loads 🙈

Our council were handing them out in the town centre yesterday as well. And have sent out a message reassuring us stock has been saved over Christmas for high schools.

It’ll be fine 👍🏻

@blameitonthecaffeine - I totally agree that some subjects can't be taught with masks on.

DD is 16 and currently learning massive chunks of Antigone for her Higher Drama, which she is performing after Christmas for her prelim/mock exams. With half of her face covered.

Her friend is doing modern languages, finding it all very difficult to listen and model what the teacher is saying because of the masks.

As long as all the clubbers and the pub goers on New Year’s Eve had a great night, schools are happy to be a punch bag!

[quote MarshmallowFondant]@blameitonthecaffeine - I totally agree that some subjects can't be taught with masks on.

DD is 16 and currently learning massive chunks of Antigone for her Higher Drama, which she is performing after Christmas for her prelim/mock exams. With half of her face covered.

Her friend is doing modern languages, finding it all very difficult to listen and model what the teacher is saying because of the masks.[/quote]
Your daughter should find her listening skills improve. Our language exam and class tests results have borne that out over the past two years. Listening used to be one of the hardest parts of our exams and the kids aren't having any trouble generally now. They should obviously ask the teacher to speak up too. I'm naturally loud so haven't been asked by my classes, but DD has a very very quietly spoken teacher and they did ask her to speak up. Obviously she can't, more than a certain amount, that's her voice, but I have seen another of DDS teachers with a clip on mic.

Poor children 😞.

Mine had constant sore throats and skin when they had to wear them all day before. Not just at school either but their 40min bus journey there and back. They aren't going to be happy when they see this news. It wouldn't be so bad if they seemed to work but the case numbers at our school didn't change when they stopped wearing them to when they did wear them.