Government has failed to evaluate potential harms to pupils

[1stMrsF]

It's been reported in the Telegraph and Daily Mail that PHE "did not consider" the negative health impacts of requiring children to wear facemasks in the classroom.

Nick Gibb, Minister for School Standards questioned about this today commented that children 'didn't seem to mind' wearing masks, even though the Government's own survey found that 80% of children are struggling to communicate wearing a mask and more than 50% felt it was affecting their ability to learn.

The government cannot produce any evidence that the benefits of this policy outweigh the potential harms, as the scientific evaluation hasn't been done. Whilst it's possible (but not confirmed) that face coverings in schools will be removed in Step 3 of the government roadmap, this will be at the earliest from 17 May, still 3 weeks away. The government has not confirmed under what criteria this measure will be removed, so still has the ability to push out this date, nor has it ruled out any future reintroduction.

There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that wearing mask for prolonged periods can have a negative impact on physical and mental health, especially in children who are more susceptible to the effects.

This article collates information from 44 experimental studies and 65 publications on the side effects of face masks. A wide variety of statistically significant confirmed side effects and dangers are reported and the article notes “Children are particularly vulnerable and may be more likely to receive additional harm” and “repeated exposure over longer periods is relevant. Long-term disease-relevant consequences of masks are to be expected.”

This study published in Germany where data was collected from a total of 25,930 children wearing a face mask for an average of 270 mins a day found that 68% reported impairments including irritability (60%), headache (53%), difficulty concentrating (50%), less happiness (49%), reluctance to go to school (44%), malaise (42%), impaired learning (38%) and drowsiness or fatigue (37%)

The government guidance for schools impels them to 'ensure face coverings are used where recommended' but makes them responsible for carrying out a risk assessment and consequently a legal case is being brought against a UK school and is in court tomorrow. Most schools will be unaware of this terrible position the Department for Education has put them in.

If you share my concerns, please write to your MP asking them to call for facemasks in the classroom to be removed immediately (no school needs a one week notice for this) and permanently, as we cannot continue with any measure for children in the knowledge that safety has not been evaluated.

You can also write to your school, making them aware of this issue. I have no doubt this policy has been implemented in good faith by schools who have dutifully followed all government guidelines without intending to harm children, but it is nonetheless their responsibility to safeguard the children in their care.

@noblegiraffe you’re going to have to highlight where I said that the date should be 17th May? I actually said I’d support teachers being offered the vaccine first? I’m confused about what date you are suggesting?
I’m simply offering an explanation as to why these dates are being considered. Some of the figures quoted for herd immunity are as low as 70% and we have 70% vaccinated and more who’ve had the disease, and 95% of over 50s and with medical vulnerabilities. You might not agree but the government roadmap is to reopen fully before everyone is vaccinated because the disease rate has continued to plateau despite schools ( without masks in primary and nursery)and shops and sports etc all opening.

I think herd immunity is a misleading concept this time around, especially in schools.
Usually with herd immunity the unvaccinated are hidden within the general population.
With the vaccination strategy of immunising the oldest first, it means there are populations who mix who will still have very little immunity at all. For example 20-somethings going clubbing, and schools.

The men's shed and the WI might have herd immunity, but local comp certainly won't.

@BungleandGeorge

There does have to come a time when the disadvantages to communication, comfort and learning outweigh the advantages. By may 17th over 30s should have been offered the vaccine. It’s not reasonable to continue indefinitely. The kids have accepted it because of the alternative but things have changed considerably since December and I don’t think it’s fair to continue when risk is very low

Here's where you suggested 17th May, Bungle

The whole point if a school is to educate, and anything which is a barrier to learning should be avoided.
@Tangledtresses do you wear a mask 9 hours a day solid? When you do then you are qualified to comment

@a8mint, why doesn't your dd take off the mask when she goes outside at lunchtime?

Also, does she not eat during the day?

Do you know what was a big fat barrier to learning? Rampant covid between Sept and Dec in secondary schools that led to millions of pupils missing school due to isolation and infection.

What was an even bigger barrier to learning? Schools having to close from Jan to March because infection levels in school age children due to complete lack of mitigation measures meant that they couldn't justifiably stay open.

do you wear a mask 9 hours a day solid?

Why is your DD wearing it for 9 hours a day solid? She can't possibly be unless, as someone else said, she never eats or goes outside.

My DD left the house at 7:50 this morning, wearing her mask and she will be wearing it when she returns at about 4:30 (maybe later if she has an after school activity). I do not doubt that she removed it for break, eating and outside time at lunch.

@noblegiraffe

Do you know what was a big fat barrier to learning? Rampant covid between Sept and Dec in secondary schools that led to millions of pupils missing school due to isolation and infection.

What was an even bigger barrier to learning? Schools having to close from Jan to March because infection levels in school age children due to complete lack of mitigation measures meant that they couldn't justifiably stay open.

This!

@noblegiraffe

Do you know what was a big fat barrier to learning? Rampant covid between Sept and Dec in secondary schools that led to millions of pupils missing school due to isolation and infection.

What was an even bigger barrier to learning? Schools having to close from Jan to March because infection levels in school age children due to complete lack of mitigation measures meant that they couldn't justifiably stay open.

Yes, absolutely. My dd is delighted to be back in school, notwithstanding all of the assessments, and wearing a mask in school is a very small price to pay to make this possible.

Neither she nor I understand why people make such a fuss about this. Unless your kids lipread or similar, in which case reasonable adjustments should be made, I honestly don't see why it's a barrier to learning. Are people really so unadaptable that they can't cope with such a minor inconvenience?

I'd be really concerned if my dd made a big deal out of something as trivial as this tbh. Life is very hard for those who can't adapt to small changes.

I really feel for the children who are expected to wear masks for 6 hours a day every day (plus public transport time).
I know I would not like to do so.
I find it hard just wearing a mask for 30 mins or so, when I am in a shop, or on public transport.
In fact I once had a heart arrhythmia episode and nearly fainted (if that is what one calls it), and had to leave the shop promptly. Of course, that may have been coincidence, but I left the shop, because I needed air to restore my breathing and heartbeat.
I do not normally have a heart condition, so do not have an exemption.

Yes agree absolutely with recent comments.

I'm absolutely delighted DS 15 is back at school where he should be. Wearing a mask is a very minor inconvenience for him to be back with his friends receiving a face to face education.

Yes I'm sure for a small number of pupils there are issues with wearing masks, but not for the vast majority.

I think pupils should be wearing them until all adults are at least 3 weeks out from their first injection. Not because I think they are particularly effective but the small upside outweighs the downside.

I really feel for the children who are expected to wear masks for 6 hours a day every day (plus public transport time).
I know I would not like to do so.

But most kids are fine with it, so they really don't need your sympathy.

I would not choose to wear a mask if it wasn't necessary, but it really isn't a big deal. People get used to it.

In some ways, the people who only wear masks for half an hour or so in a shop are probably the ones who struggle the most tbh. The ones who wear them all day every day probably adapted ages ago!

I have a heart arrhythmia condition and am able to teach all day wearing a mask. That’s because face coverings don’t cause heart arrhythmia. Covid, however, is dangerous because heart arrhythmia increases the likelihood of blood clots, as does Covid. I’m pleased that the adults I teach are happy to wear their masks in order to help protect me - and themselves and their families.

OP - do you have any idea what it was like in secondary schools before Christmas?? Every single day, kids were getting pulled out of lessons to go and sit in the hall because they were being sent home to self-isolate due to close contact with cases. It felt as though every day was about a 50/50 chance whether they would make it through the day without getting sent home. My kids will gladly wear a mask if it helps in the efforts to stay away from that situation arising again.

I don’t get how adults think that a material mask worn for 6 straight hours can prevent spreading of a virus. I’m puzzled that people who believe in this crap are easy sting out kids too

Scientific evidence suggests it blocks the spread of small droplets which contain the virus.

www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-02801-8

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/science-briefs/masking-science-sars-cov2.html

The key thing to understand is that the mask is not so much there to protect you, as to protect others. Think of it like a handkerchief.

Kids should not be wearing masks now, there is hardly any virus in the uk now. All the vulnerable have been fully vaccinated now.

All the vulnerable have been fully vaccinated now.

This is just bullshit. The vulnerable have not all been fully vaccinated yet. Why do people spout this kind of rubbish when they clearly don't know what they are talking about?

@Heyhohi

Kids should not be wearing masks now, there is hardly any virus in the uk now. All the vulnerable have been fully vaccinated now.

You do realise that it isn't just about the "vulnerable" don't you? You do realise that apparently healthy people and children are getting very ill with long lasting symptoms don't you?

@Heyhohi

Kids should not be wearing masks now, there is hardly any virus in the uk now. All the vulnerable have been fully vaccinated now.

We’re in a area of very low cases. Yet ds’s school just had three year 7s test positive on lateral flow tests, 2 of which were confirmed positive with pcr tests (and the other negative). So I wouldn’t be too blasé about it!

Dd is vulnerable and she’s not fully vaccinated yet. Luckily she’s 16 so can have it.

Why is your DD wearing it for 9 hours a day solid? She can't possibly be unless, as someone else said, she never eats or goes outside.
Well, for the nit pickers, she obviously does not forthe 10 to 15 minutes she is eating. she spends around 30 minutes making hsr way ti tge lunch hall and queuing during which time sge has to weat a mask, 15 minutes eating, and then i suppose going to the loo pretty much takes up the remaining 10 or 15 minutes. So yeah 9hours of mask wearing with a few minutes break to eat.

Your evidence about the harms is weak OP. There is currently no good evidence to suggest harms from mask wearing in schools (or for others such as surgeons, doctors). Eastern countries where the children wear masks have little or no reported ill effects. A survey is not research and therefore cannot be taken as evidence of anything, just opinions.

Most of Europe has had mask wearing in schools, many at primary age, for several months. Ireland for example has had secondary school children wearing masks for 6 months. There has been no outcry from students, or complaints.

I get the concern for something new. However that is when we do need to rely on good evidence, not cherry picked poorer evidence. This is the only way to weigh up harms / benefits. And kids are not totally safe, a significant but small amount of children have been hospitalised with Covid and have long covid. That is a small number but has to be factored in.

So I agree it is important to think about, to question, to ask for evidence.