Decision on masks for primary in Ireland?

[SuperDuperC]

Hi all, we're in Cork! Just keeping an eye on the news today that they may be deciding on whether children in primary will have to wear masks. Just wanting to see how everyone feels about it? I will personally feel really sad if it comes to this, they've been affected so much already and wearing a mask for 5 odd hours will be uncomfortable and block all facial expressions between each other 😕

I'm hoping it doesn't happen. One of my kids has sensory issues and dyspraxia so wearing a mask is difficult for him as he can't bear the feel of them and finds putting them on difficult.
Also, seems like a lot of kids would fidget with their masks a lot so would that not cancel out any benefit? I don't know.

I am so upset
Now restrictions on kids nearly 2 years in and 94% vaxxed. Who / what is keeping this going !! Its tragic. Funny how the eu okd vaccine for age 5 upwards
This is the final straw nphet need to stop this . Its all so depressing. Im fuming

I'm feeling so so worried about this, is there a chance the government might not go with the recommendations? It says they will decide next week or am being optimistic? I feel sick 😢 my eldest is third class, I can't imagine this happening, his whole world at school will now be so different

I just emailed Norma Foley begging her to not impose this . Im beside myself. Is it make parents ok the vacc for their kids
Im no anti vaxxer but what is going on here. Omg NPHET have to go
Poor kids

I think it's fine. Children are all well used to seeing people wearing masks, many of them have their own masks for shopping anyway. And if it stops or even slows the insane spread of covid in primary schools, I'm all for it. Nearly a quarter of the kids in our large primary school were out on Monday, the school are doing everything they can but with nearly 500 unvaccinated kids all spreading it, something extra like masks has to be of some help. Most of the 6th class kids are 12 already and guess where the least cases have been. They're all quite unfazed by masks too.

I really don't get the hysteria about children wearing masks. They have managed them in most european countries for ages without a problem. I think kids will just accept it, provided their parents aren't making a big deal of it. Obviously a minority will not be able to wear masks but they will be able to get an exemption.

If we put some sensible measures in place (wearing masks correctly, social distancing etc) and people actually comply with them, we will hopefully avoid another lockdown.

Just because they're 'used to it' doesn't make it right and the term 'unvaccinated kids' almost makes it seem like they should be vaccinated and please please don't start me on that! This is dehumanising and killing the joys of childhood, it's crazy and considering 99% of children recover well from getting Covid please tell me why we are doing this to them?? The teachers are no doubt vaccinated already? We can let this become the norm and something you get used to, it is very very far from normal and rather scary🙁

I feel really sad about this too.

And, I have to admit, the vaccines for the under 12s, I’m struggling to see the benefit of it for them, if vaccines do not stop transmission. Will they require boosters every few months as well?

@OchonAgusOchonOh

I really don't get the hysteria about children wearing masks. They have managed them in most european countries for ages without a problem. I think kids will just accept it, provided their parents aren't making a big deal of it. Obviously a minority will not be able to wear masks but they will be able to get an exemption.

If we put some sensible measures in place (wearing masks correctly, social distancing etc) and people actually comply with them, we will hopefully avoid another lockdown.

We've been 'putting sensible measures' in place for 2 years... again just because every other country is ok with it doesn't make it OK! Leave our kids alone and fix the healthcare system that is so badly damaged and needs protecting...

@SuperDuperC

Just because they're 'used to it' doesn't make it right and the term 'unvaccinated kids' almost makes it seem like they should be vaccinated and please please don't start me on that! This is dehumanising and killing the joys of childhood, it's crazy and considering 99% of children recover well from getting Covid please tell me why we are doing this to them?? The teachers are no doubt vaccinated already? We can let this become the norm and something you get used to, it is very very far from normal and rather scary🙁

We are doing this to reduce the spread of covid. Children may tend to get a mild dose but those they pass it on to may not. The fewer who get covid, the fewer they can pass it on too.

Also, I rang a private speech and language therapist for my toddler today, she’s speech delayed. Went straight to voicemail, their waiting list is closed. Ok, she won’t have to wear a mask…but I do worry about the effects on kids.

I also have my doubts as to the ability of a class of 8 and 9 years to effectively wear masks!

So paul reid can go without a mask but children cant get an education without one. Is thats whats coming??
The UK are moving on living life, there isint one word about restoration of personal freedoms here not one. Poor parents cant get antibiotics off the Gp without a pcr thats why the test centres are at capacity. I have relatives working in paediatric hospitals and the cases in the hosps are miniscule.
Fgs what more do they want
Im so sad over this. Its totally abnornal. Certs to go anywhere which is fine but its like people tracking at its finest. When will this nightmare end !!! The suffering imposed by the govt and we all stepped up to the plate with the vaccine / closed businesses / kids suffered no school / no activities etc etc etc. I mean is this it forever. Well our stupid govt which has no perspective/ too afraid of having a common sense approach have my life × the lives of my school going kids impacted negatively for the forseeable with no end point due to the mismanagment of the HSE.why arent people asking questions !!! Where is the media ? RTEare a laughing stock #rtecovidshow

@Puppalicious

And, I have to admit, the vaccines for the under 12s, I’m struggling to see the benefit of it for them, if vaccines do not stop transmission. Will they require boosters every few months as well?

Vaccines significantly reduce transmission. No vaccine is 100%.

@SuperDuperC - We've been 'putting sensible measures' in place for 2 years... again just because every other country is ok with it doesn't make it OK! Leave our kids alone and fix the healthcare system that is so badly damaged and needs protecting...

Unfortunately, many people are not complying with the sensible measures we have in place and have not been for some time. How many people do you see with a mask under their nose or so loose on their face as to be useless? Hardly anyone socially distances anymore.

Fixing our healthcare system is not something that can happen overnight. It takes time.

Hysteria over masks helps nobody. I have relatives living abroad. Their kids really don't see the masks as being a big deal. Thankfully, the parents are sensible and don't make it out to be an issue when it's really not.

My kids are not wearing a mask to protect unvaccinated adults. They have made their choice . Why should my kids "do their bit " when these adults havent done theirs !!

What ages will it be from?
Can hardly see my junior infants child keeping a mask on for longer than 5min….

They're recommending children over 9 years old/3rd Class and up. Sounds good to me.

@Radyward

My kids are not wearing a mask to protect unvaccinated adults. They have made their choice . Why should my kids "do their bit " when these adults havent done theirs !!

Some vaccinated adults also need to be protected. Many vulnerable people have a reduced immune response so the vaccine is not particularly effective on them. Vaccine response is also lower in older adults.

I think teaching children about social responsibility is important. Doing their bit is part of that.

[quote OchonAgusOchonOh]**@SuperDuperC* - We've been 'putting sensible measures' in place for 2 years... again just because every other country is ok with it doesn't make it OK! Leave our kids alone and fix the healthcare system that is so badly damaged and needs protecting...*

Unfortunately, many people are not complying with the sensible measures we have in place and have not been for some time. How many people do you see with a mask under their nose or so loose on their face as to be useless? Hardly anyone socially distances anymore.

Fixing our healthcare system is not something that can happen overnight. It takes time.

Hysteria over masks helps nobody. I have relatives living abroad. Their kids really don't see the masks as being a big deal. Thankfully, the parents are sensible and don't make it out to be an issue when it's really not.[/quote]
You really sound like you're reading off a script, almost like a politician. Can you at least recognise that this is not conducive to abnormal childhood? May I ask if you have children at primary age, you don't have to answer but you seem to keep leaning on the others people are ok with it' line. This affects MY children, I'm not hysterical I'm sad and I'm angry as MY children are yet again bearing the brunt of idiots in power and decisions by someone somewhere who's making a lot of money out of all of this...

Wearing masks won't "affect" children unless their parents make a big song and dance about it (excepting children with SEN/sensory issues, etc, of course, who are a specific minority and who will be exempted if necessary). The vast, vast majority will just adapt as quickly as they've adapted to every other measure, with no bother.

Do we have data to indicate that vaccines significantly slow transmission in under 12s? I am somewhat uncomfortable with vaccines for young children when I think there are conflicting studies about whether natural or vaccine immunity gives better long term protection. Apart from the fact that more energy needs to be put into getting boosters into the vulnerable and getting more of the world vaccinated - that will give us more long term protection than sticking vaccines into 5 year olds (as seen by this new variant of concern discovered in an under vaccinated country).

@Joolsin , are you sure they’ve adapted to every other measure with no bother? What exact measures are you talking about, and are you sure our children have adapted with “no bother”?

Why should they adapt??fgs i hate this country( and love it too ) fgs 2 yrs in and now this..what else are they cooking up ? Omg im so so upset for my children. Its just so infuriating. And so so sad. Fgs. I cant believe any parent is ok with this and if they are im lost for words.it makes me laugh adults who had a nornal childhood imposing on other childrens right to have one too. I hope some parents bring nphet to court .its soul destroying .