Is it time to have the difficult conversation about masks and MCPS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These things need to happen before removing masks:
(a) there needs to be an effective post-infection treatment that is widely available. One is pending approval, but that's about it.
(b) a vaccine must be available and administered to children under 5
(c) all children should be required by MCPS to be vaccinated by policy
(d) the variants need to be in a "known" and not "emerging" state. Why? All it takes is one bad mutation and everyone is back to square one.

Until all of the above are a reality - I don't know how anyone can say it's "safe" not to wear a mask (unless you've never been infected so are ignorant, or maybe just a sick troll who lost a child or family member to covid and just want to spread a little holiday cheer to everyone else?). Get real.

OK, well, (d) is certainly never going to happen. So it would probably be helpful for you to adjust your expectations to reality.

The reason there's a new flu shot is because of varients. My guess is that in a few years from now we'll be getting combo flu and covid shots

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Earnest question for the people strongly in favor of masks right now. Let’s say vaccine approved for all ages by around January. Let’s further say that MCPS says vaccine required to attend school. This isn’t out of the question since California has done this. Let’s further say cases plunge. There are still cases but we are talking blue zone maybe 5 cases per 100,000 or less. THEN would you be ok with no mandate though obviously people could still mask if they wanted?

Personally I'd be fine with it if cases were under 5 per 100,000 and the vaccine was widely available. But the realpolitik is that once you remove a mandate it's harder to bring it back when needed if the cases spike. And knowing mcps they will probably finish the year with a mask mandate.

You will also get some diehards who claim that even with vaccines and low case rates they can't send their kids to school because everyone is still too selfish

We don't have testing in the schools so we don't know the real spread. It is opt in, and many behaving poorly are just opting out. Simple solution to say there is no covid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These things need to happen before removing masks:
(a) there needs to be an effective post-infection treatment that is widely available. One is pending approval, but that's about it.
(b) a vaccine must be available and administered to children under 5
(c) all children should be required by MCPS to be vaccinated by policy
(d) the variants need to be in a "known" and not "emerging" state. Why? All it takes is one bad mutation and everyone is back to square one.

Until all of the above are a reality - I don't know how anyone can say it's "safe" not to wear a mask (unless you've never been infected so are ignorant, or maybe just a sick troll who lost a child or family member to covid and just want to spread a little holiday cheer to everyone else?). Get real.

a) we already have Remdesivir and monoclonal antibodies. Merck's molnupiravir is pending approval.
b) that'll be a while
c) sure
d) never happen. there'll always be variants "emerging" for any disease that mutates.

Except not everyone has equal access to those medications.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here… the students care way less about masks than psycho parents. Yes, first graders are more mature and respectful than people tasked with being in charge of your kids mental health.

This has nothing to do with mental health. It has to do with the parents needs and wishes. They are the same parents you call when the kids don't do their work or you are concerned and they ignore your calls and emails. These are the same parents who don't think twice about sending their sick kids in as they cannot be bothered staying home with them. These are the same parents who can afford to, but choose not to send in school supplies, snacks, coats and think its your responsibility (and can afford it, not talking about those financially struggling). These are the same parents who should not even be having kids.

This is just crazy that this pretty mild question -- when can we start the conversation about masks? -- so quickly devolves into a teacher saying that parents who just want to open that conversation shouldn't have children? What in the world?

I personally believe it's not time for the conversation about masks yet. My kids are safer in masks and I hope they wear them for a lot longer, just to be safe. I strongly believe in them and wear one myself all day at work, happily. I make my kids wear them and will for quite a while, even my older who is vaccinated. But it's crazy to say they don't affect them AT ALL. I asked my littlest what she thought the other day and she said that she's sick of it and wishes she didn't have to wear it, wants to see the other kids faces etc. This is totally to be expected and I am so proud of them for not complaining when they have to put them on every day.

But people please check yourselves. The way people POUNCED in this chat and others makes it seem coordinated. And insulting the parents who pushed the BOE, rightly, to reopen schools last March is a lot less mature than those 1st graders that you are talking about. Seriously!

You may not agree with everything the Open MCPS folks say but were they wrong about reopening last year? Nope, they were right -- I can't imagine if my kids hadn't been able to be able to go back to school. They were suffering academically and mentally. And there was a really low incidence of covid last year! And this year! Yay! Can't we all be happy about that? Success!

And just to catch you before you call me a bad parent because my kids suffered mentally (I can't believe I have to say that. Just stop.)
I am a room mom.
I always return your emails.
I organize other parents to donate to the class and I donate myself.
I keep my kids home when they have even a sniffle and covid test them like crazy.
I LOVE my kids teachers and appreciate everything they have been through in the last year - it has been so hard -- and I tell them that a lot.
And I am SO happy that school went back last March, and THANK YOU to the people you are insulting who pushed the board to wise up and allow that to happen. Guess why they reopened? Yep, it was all about the DATA. And i'm super lucky that our teachers at our school were also happy to return to school (they pushed for it too).

MAN you people jumping all over this are mean and horrible and immature. And the way you are talking, you are just as bad as the anti-maskers. I don't know if it's anxiety or exhaustion or what but we're going to have to live through this for a bit longer, so let's take a minute and re-evaluate our behavior.

Sincerely,
A pro-mask parent who hates bullies

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here… the students care way less about masks than psycho parents. Yes, first graders are more mature and respectful than people tasked with being in charge of your kids mental health.

This has nothing to do with mental health. It has to do with the parents needs and wishes. They are the same parents you call when the kids don't do their work or you are concerned and they ignore your calls and emails. These are the same parents who don't think twice about sending their sick kids in as they cannot be bothered staying home with them. These are the same parents who can afford to, but choose not to send in school supplies, snacks, coats and think its your responsibility (and can afford it, not talking about those financially struggling). These are the same parents who should not even be having kids.

This is just crazy that this pretty mild question -- when can we start the conversation about masks? -- so quickly devolves into a teacher saying that parents who just want to open that conversation shouldn't have children? What in the world?

I personally believe it's not time for the conversation about masks yet. My kids are safer in masks and I hope they wear them for a lot longer, just to be safe. I strongly believe in them and wear one myself all day at work, happily. I make my kids wear them and will for quite a while, even my older who is vaccinated. But it's crazy to say they don't affect them AT ALL. I asked my littlest what she thought the other day and she said that she's sick of it and wishes she didn't have to wear it, wants to see the other kids faces etc. This is totally to be expected and I am so proud of them for not complaining when they have to put them on every day.

But people please check yourselves. The way people POUNCED in this chat and others makes it seem coordinated. And insulting the parents who pushed the BOE, rightly, to reopen schools last March is a lot less mature than those 1st graders that you are talking about. Seriously!

You may not agree with everything the Open MCPS folks say but were they wrong about reopening last year? Nope, they were right -- I can't imagine if my kids hadn't been able to be able to go back to school. They were suffering academically and mentally. And there was a really low incidence of covid last year! And this year! Yay! Can't we all be happy about that? Success!

And just to catch you before you call me a bad parent because my kids suffered mentally (I can't believe I have to say that. Just stop.)
I am a room mom.
I always return your emails.
I organize other parents to donate to the class and I donate myself.
I keep my kids home when they have even a sniffle and covid test them like crazy.
I LOVE my kids teachers and appreciate everything they have been through in the last year - it has been so hard -- and I tell them that a lot.
And I am SO happy that school went back last March, and THANK YOU to the people you are insulting who pushed the board to wise up and allow that to happen. Guess why they reopened? Yep, it was all about the DATA. And i'm super lucky that our teachers at our school were also happy to return to school (they pushed for it too).

MAN you people jumping all over this are mean and horrible and immature. And the way you are talking, you are just as bad as the anti-maskers. I don't know if it's anxiety or exhaustion or what but we're going to have to live through this for a bit longer, so let's take a minute and re-evaluate our behavior.

Sincerely,
A pro-mask parent who hates bullies

The vast majority of the posts you’re referring to are from a single individual with chronic health issues and a lot of anxiety. Don’t worry about her or her posts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here… the students care way less about masks than psycho parents. Yes, first graders are more mature and respectful than people tasked with being in charge of your kids mental health.

This has nothing to do with mental health. It has to do with the parents needs and wishes. They are the same parents you call when the kids don't do their work or you are concerned and they ignore your calls and emails. These are the same parents who don't think twice about sending their sick kids in as they cannot be bothered staying home with them. These are the same parents who can afford to, but choose not to send in school supplies, snacks, coats and think its your responsibility (and can afford it, not talking about those financially struggling). These are the same parents who should not even be having kids.

This is just crazy that this pretty mild question -- when can we start the conversation about masks? -- so quickly devolves into a teacher saying that parents who just want to open that conversation shouldn't have children? What in the world?

I personally believe it's not time for the conversation about masks yet. My kids are safer in masks and I hope they wear them for a lot longer, just to be safe. I strongly believe in them and wear one myself all day at work, happily. I make my kids wear them and will for quite a while, even my older who is vaccinated. But it's crazy to say they don't affect them AT ALL. I asked my littlest what she thought the other day and she said that she's sick of it and wishes she didn't have to wear it, wants to see the other kids faces etc. This is totally to be expected and I am so proud of them for not complaining when they have to put them on every day.

But people please check yourselves. The way people POUNCED in this chat and others makes it seem coordinated. And insulting the parents who pushed the BOE, rightly, to reopen schools last March is a lot less mature than those 1st graders that you are talking about. Seriously!

You may not agree with everything the Open MCPS folks say but were they wrong about reopening last year? Nope, they were right -- I can't imagine if my kids hadn't been able to be able to go back to school. They were suffering academically and mentally. And there was a really low incidence of covid last year! And this year! Yay! Can't we all be happy about that? Success!

And just to catch you before you call me a bad parent because my kids suffered mentally (I can't believe I have to say that. Just stop.)
I am a room mom.
I always return your emails.
I organize other parents to donate to the class and I donate myself.
I keep my kids home when they have even a sniffle and covid test them like crazy.
I LOVE my kids teachers and appreciate everything they have been through in the last year - it has been so hard -- and I tell them that a lot.
And I am SO happy that school went back last March, and THANK YOU to the people you are insulting who pushed the board to wise up and allow that to happen. Guess why they reopened? Yep, it was all about the DATA. And i'm super lucky that our teachers at our school were also happy to return to school (they pushed for it too).

MAN you people jumping all over this are mean and horrible and immature. And the way you are talking, you are just as bad as the anti-maskers. I don't know if it's anxiety or exhaustion or what but we're going to have to live through this for a bit longer, so let's take a minute and re-evaluate our behavior.

Sincerely,
A pro-mask parent who hates bullies

The vast majority of the posts you’re referring to are from a single individual with chronic health issues and a lot of anxiety. Don’t worry about her or her posts.

Its pathetic how you deny covid is a concern when several kids just died in VA. What are you teaching your kids about social responsibility?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

The vast majority of the posts you’re referring to are from a single individual with chronic health issues and a lot of anxiety. Don’t worry about her or her posts.

It's upsetting that we likely contribute to this PP's anxiety when we respond to the misinformation in the PP's posts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here… the students care way less about masks than psycho parents. Yes, first graders are more mature and respectful than people tasked with being in charge of your kids mental health.

This has nothing to do with mental health. It has to do with the parents needs and wishes. They are the same parents you call when the kids don't do their work or you are concerned and they ignore your calls and emails. These are the same parents who don't think twice about sending their sick kids in as they cannot be bothered staying home with them. These are the same parents who can afford to, but choose not to send in school supplies, snacks, coats and think its your responsibility (and can afford it, not talking about those financially struggling). These are the same parents who should not even be having kids.

This is just crazy that this pretty mild question -- when can we start the conversation about masks? -- so quickly devolves into a teacher saying that parents who just want to open that conversation shouldn't have children? What in the world?

I personally believe it's not time for the conversation about masks yet. My kids are safer in masks and I hope they wear them for a lot longer, just to be safe. I strongly believe in them and wear one myself all day at work, happily. I make my kids wear them and will for quite a while, even my older who is vaccinated. But it's crazy to say they don't affect them AT ALL. I asked my littlest what she thought the other day and she said that she's sick of it and wishes she didn't have to wear it, wants to see the other kids faces etc. This is totally to be expected and I am so proud of them for not complaining when they have to put them on every day.

But people please check yourselves. The way people POUNCED in this chat and others makes it seem coordinated. And insulting the parents who pushed the BOE, rightly, to reopen schools last March is a lot less mature than those 1st graders that you are talking about. Seriously!

You may not agree with everything the Open MCPS folks say but were they wrong about reopening last year? Nope, they were right -- I can't imagine if my kids hadn't been able to be able to go back to school. They were suffering academically and mentally. And there was a really low incidence of covid last year! And this year! Yay! Can't we all be happy about that? Success!

And just to catch you before you call me a bad parent because my kids suffered mentally (I can't believe I have to say that. Just stop.)
I am a room mom.
I always return your emails.
I organize other parents to donate to the class and I donate myself.
I keep my kids home when they have even a sniffle and covid test them like crazy.
I LOVE my kids teachers and appreciate everything they have been through in the last year - it has been so hard -- and I tell them that a lot.
And I am SO happy that school went back last March, and THANK YOU to the people you are insulting who pushed the board to wise up and allow that to happen. Guess why they reopened? Yep, it was all about the DATA. And i'm super lucky that our teachers at our school were also happy to return to school (they pushed for it too).

MAN you people jumping all over this are mean and horrible and immature. And the way you are talking, you are just as bad as the anti-maskers. I don't know if it's anxiety or exhaustion or what but we're going to have to live through this for a bit longer, so let's take a minute and re-evaluate our behavior.

Sincerely,
A pro-mask parent who hates bullies

The vast majority of the posts you’re referring to are from a single individual with chronic health issues and a lot of anxiety. Don’t worry about her or her posts.

Its pathetic how you deny covid is a concern when several kids just died in VA. What are you teaching your kids about social responsibility?

I don’t deny there is cause for some level do concern. But your level of concern is not rational, and your constant attacks on other posters suggests you realize that, too. Your attacks have increased as the risk of Covid has decreased.

[Anonymous]

The astroturfer surround and force today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Earnest question for the people strongly in favor of masks right now. Let’s say vaccine approved for all ages by around January. Let’s further say that MCPS says vaccine required to attend school. This isn’t out of the question since California has done this. Let’s further say cases plunge. There are still cases but we are talking blue zone maybe 5 cases per 100,000 or less. THEN would you be ok with no mandate though obviously people could still mask if they wanted?

Personally I'd be fine with it if cases were under 5 per 100,000 and the vaccine was widely available. But the realpolitik is that once you remove a mandate it's harder to bring it back when needed if the cases spike. And knowing mcps they will probably finish the year with a mask mandate.

You will also get some diehards who claim that even with vaccines and low case rates they can't send their kids to school because everyone is still too selfish

We don't have testing in the schools so we don't know the real spread. It is opt in, and many behaving poorly are just opting out. Simple solution to say there is no covid.

If there were that many asymptomatic kids running around with undiagnosed Covid, we'd be seeing case numbers rising both in school and out as they spread it through the community. That simply isn't happening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Earnest question for the people strongly in favor of masks right now. Let’s say vaccine approved for all ages by around January. Let’s further say that MCPS says vaccine required to attend school. This isn’t out of the question since California has done this. Let’s further say cases plunge. There are still cases but we are talking blue zone maybe 5 cases per 100,000 or less. THEN would you be ok with no mandate though obviously people could still mask if they wanted?

Personally I'd be fine with it if cases were under 5 per 100,000 and the vaccine was widely available. But the realpolitik is that once you remove a mandate it's harder to bring it back when needed if the cases spike. And knowing mcps they will probably finish the year with a mask mandate.

You will also get some diehards who claim that even with vaccines and low case rates they can't send their kids to school because everyone is still too selfish

+1 this

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Masks aren't a big deal. Stupid politics; they're a cultural norm in Asia.

Not in schools. That was never the case preCovid

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here… the students care way less about masks than psycho parents. Yes, first graders are more mature and respectful than people tasked with being in charge of your kids mental health.

This has nothing to do with mental health. It has to do with the parents needs and wishes. They are the same parents you call when the kids don't do their work or you are concerned and they ignore your calls and emails. These are the same parents who don't think twice about sending their sick kids in as they cannot be bothered staying home with them. These are the same parents who can afford to, but choose not to send in school supplies, snacks, coats and think its your responsibility (and can afford it, not talking about those financially struggling). These are the same parents who should not even be having kids.

This is just crazy that this pretty mild question -- when can we start the conversation about masks? -- so quickly devolves into a teacher saying that parents who just want to open that conversation shouldn't have children? What in the world?

I personally believe it's not time for the conversation about masks yet. My kids are safer in masks and I hope they wear them for a lot longer, just to be safe. I strongly believe in them and wear one myself all day at work, happily. I make my kids wear them and will for quite a while, even my older who is vaccinated. But it's crazy to say they don't affect them AT ALL. I asked my littlest what she thought the other day and she said that she's sick of it and wishes she didn't have to wear it, wants to see the other kids faces etc. This is totally to be expected and I am so proud of them for not complaining when they have to put them on every day.

But people please check yourselves. The way people POUNCED in this chat and others makes it seem coordinated. And insulting the parents who pushed the BOE, rightly, to reopen schools last March is a lot less mature than those 1st graders that you are talking about. Seriously!

You may not agree with everything the Open MCPS folks say but were they wrong about reopening last year? Nope, they were right -- I can't imagine if my kids hadn't been able to be able to go back to school. They were suffering academically and mentally. And there was a really low incidence of covid last year! And this year! Yay! Can't we all be happy about that? Success!

And just to catch you before you call me a bad parent because my kids suffered mentally (I can't believe I have to say that. Just stop.)
I am a room mom.
I always return your emails.
I organize other parents to donate to the class and I donate myself.
I keep my kids home when they have even a sniffle and covid test them like crazy.
I LOVE my kids teachers and appreciate everything they have been through in the last year - it has been so hard -- and I tell them that a lot.
And I am SO happy that school went back last March, and THANK YOU to the people you are insulting who pushed the board to wise up and allow that to happen. Guess why they reopened? Yep, it was all about the DATA. And i'm super lucky that our teachers at our school were also happy to return to school (they pushed for it too).

MAN you people jumping all over this are mean and horrible and immature. And the way you are talking, you are just as bad as the anti-maskers. I don't know if it's anxiety or exhaustion or what but we're going to have to live through this for a bit longer, so let's take a minute and re-evaluate our behavior.

Sincerely,
A pro-mask parent who hates bullies

Well said. Lots of bullies on this board who insult anyone who disagrees with them.

I pushed for schools to reopen last Spring. We wanted MCPS to make decisions based on DATA and science. Dr. Gayles was making arbitrary decisions last year, based on fear, whim and politics. We saw other parts of the country and the world doing right by their kids and reopening schools.

I was very happy to hear dissenting voices against the crazy fear-mongering that was going on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Earnest question for the people strongly in favor of masks right now. Let’s say vaccine approved for all ages by around January. Let’s further say that MCPS says vaccine required to attend school. This isn’t out of the question since California has done this. Let’s further say cases plunge. There are still cases but we are talking blue zone maybe 5 cases per 100,000 or less. THEN would you be ok with no mandate though obviously people could still mask if they wanted?

Vaccines will hopefully be approved in the next month. HOWEVER, that doesn't address those who are still getting covid vaccinated. Its highly contagious and there is no distancing and no precautions in school outside of masking. That's a huge mistake to remove masking. 1 case can cause an outbreak in a classroom, especially unmasked.

Such as classic forever masker response. We as a country continue to base our pandemic response on the P-Town breakout. Where "vaccinated" individuals caught covid in high numbers. The study was so flawed in so many ways.

Can you point me to another large scale breakout of vaccinated individuals documented ANYWHERE? I'll wait.

As for me, I hope and pray that the county does the right thing and drops masks. They are a big deal in many ways, I am so tired of the "It's a piece of cloth" gaslighting. My kids hate it. I hate it. But we continue to do it for the greater good...but that won't last forever if the science says its safe. And if our county leaders don't follow the science...then vote them all out.

Unfortunately, county leaders have been ignoring the ‘science’ for over a year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Earnest question for the people strongly in favor of masks right now. Let’s say vaccine approved for all ages by around January. Let’s further say that MCPS says vaccine required to attend school. This isn’t out of the question since California has done this. Let’s further say cases plunge. There are still cases but we are talking blue zone maybe 5 cases per 100,000 or less. THEN would you be ok with no mandate though obviously people could still mask if they wanted?

Vaccines will hopefully be approved in the next month. HOWEVER, that doesn't address those who are still getting covid vaccinated. Its highly contagious and there is no distancing and no precautions in school outside of masking. That's a huge mistake to remove masking. 1 case can cause an outbreak in a classroom, especially unmasked.

You didn’t answer my question. Presumably there will be a point that cases are so low you will be cool with no masks required, no? Or as long as moco reports 1 case a day that’s too much for you? Earnest question.

We are not at that point yet and no, until kids are fully vaccinated and it lacks all common sense to get rid of masking when we have large schools, no distancing or other precautions. You can still get and spread covid vaccinated so you are dreaming to think we'll get to that 1 per day.

So would you be okay with removing the masking requirement once the 5-11 year olds have a chance to be fully vaccinated? That's what I would like to see happen. (I'm the parent of high schoolers.)