Peer Masking as a Reasonable Accommodation

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.nbc12.com/2022/12/12/aclu-parents-virginia-settle-lawsuit-school-masking-accommodations/

Does this mean what I think it means? That schools can require students to mask as an accommodation for others? What happens when someone filed a counter request for an accommodation that their child has a disability that makes masking difficult (such as social or speech delays)?

Is there a certain illness metric that must be met, or is the school now required to enforce universal masking if one kid makes a claim that they need an accommodation. Why now when COVID numbers are low? Will this apply to fly, RSV, etc.?

This seems like a giant can of worms and I’m sure I’ll get skewered, but I don’t want my young kids back in masks. My almost-5 year old spent nearly half his life in one and hated it. He has delays and it was a nightmare for us to get him to wear it. We are vaxxed and boosted, and masked when mandated, so no, not crazy Trumpers. But I am concerned we are opening the door to this concept of making a whole class of kids be a part of a student’s accommodation.

And FWIW I also don’t think a whole class of kids should be disrupted because one student with an IEP is having a violent meltdown. In general I think accommodations should not extend to altering the behavior of other students in class.

Tell me you hate kids with disabilities without saying you hate kids with disabilities.

I have a kid with a disability. Who didn’t get services he’s entitled to per his IEP during school closures. But nice try.

Oh so you just hate THOSE kids with disabilities, you know the ones who don't have health immune systems. You're still being ableist.

DP - You need to stop. You aren't helping anyone with a disability with this attitude.

I don't think they want to help anyone. I think they are just mean.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.nbc12.com/2022/12/12/aclu-parents-virginia-settle-lawsuit-school-masking-accommodations/

Does this mean what I think it means? That schools can require students to mask as an accommodation for others? What happens when someone filed a counter request for an accommodation that their child has a disability that makes masking difficult (such as social or speech delays)?

Is there a certain illness metric that must be met, or is the school now required to enforce universal masking if one kid makes a claim that they need an accommodation. Why now when COVID numbers are low? Will this apply to fly, RSV, etc.?

This seems like a giant can of worms and I’m sure I’ll get skewered, but I don’t want my young kids back in masks. My almost-5 year old spent nearly half his life in one and hated it. He has delays and it was a nightmare for us to get him to wear it. We are vaxxed and boosted, and masked when mandated, so no, not crazy Trumpers. But I am concerned we are opening the door to this concept of making a whole class of kids be a part of a student’s accommodation.

And FWIW I also don’t think a whole class of kids should be disrupted because one student with an IEP is having a violent meltdown. In general I think accommodations should not extend to altering the behavior of other students in class.

Speech delays have nothing to do with masking. ASD might. It's kinda sad you cannot be considerate to the child who may have health issues who otherwise may not be able to go to school. Being vaccinated and boosted helps your child not others as its not stopping transmission fully. Maybe you should homeschool.

You asset this rather confidently but we really don’t know that speech delays have nothing to do with masking. Masks may not cause delays, but they certainly don’t help them. And kids with autism/sensory issues may not like masking. But no one was worried about those kids during school closures/mask mandates. Even now, COVID is still the cause du jour for a certain segment of society who act as if it’s the only heath issue that matters.

I love when people assert so confidently that masks don't work but that they have been proven to cause speech delays.

Uh, I think you have your science wrong. Lots of studies showing masks work and [b]lots of uninformed opinions on their harms[/b].

Do you seriously think enough time has passed to definitely declare there are no harms to masking. These things take literal years to show long term effects. And way to dismiss all the parents who have witnessed first-hand the negative effects of masking on their children.

And the studies don’t show cloth masks do much. That is pretty common knowledge now. N95s do work, but those protect the wearer. So just wear an N95 if you (or your kids) would like. But if you think something sold at Old Navy and worn by a 6 year old is going to protect a child with cancer, I think you are the one who has “your science wrong.”

"Yeah, science can only prove the points that I agree with..."

What? You aren’t responding at all to anything in the above post. Do you truly believe an old Navy cloth mask worn by a first grader is going to protect a classmate with a severely compromised immune system. Show me the science that proves that point …

NP, my kid got covid in class when everyone was masking and lunch was being eaten outside. If covid is that much of a threat to a child's well-being, they should not be in crowded school classrooms.

This reminds me of my child's full day + extended care preschool class, where they sent a letter home informing parents that there was a child with cancer in the class and that no one should send the child to school with ANY cold symptoms. As much as I feel bad for a child with cancer, that's an unreasonable expectation for a preschool that functions as a daycare, and I ignored it and instead heeded the school's normal 24-h/no fever policy, which is what I signed up for. Kids will get sick at school, and if that's not an acceptable risk to a particular child, that child should not be in school.

Wow, not only is it a crazy expectation, but it’s not realistic even if parents tried to comply. For many illnesses, kids are the most contagious before symptoms appear and many symptoms linger once a child is no longer contagious. So just keeping kids home based on symptoms alone will not stop the spread of viruses in congregate settings. I feel awful for any family with a child with cancer, but I don’t think a group childcare setting is a safe option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone on this thread that thinks Youngkin did a good thing with the whole mask and vaxed.

Ask him why he sends his kids to school in MARYLAND MASKED AND VAXED!

Are you implying youngkin's kids go to a private school with mandatory masking? Which school is tbis?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.nbc12.com/2022/12/12/aclu-parents-virginia-settle-lawsuit-school-masking-accommodations/

Does this mean what I think it means? That schools can require students to mask as an accommodation for others? What happens when someone filed a counter request for an accommodation that their child has a disability that makes masking difficult (such as social or speech delays)?

Is there a certain illness metric that must be met, or is the school now required to enforce universal masking if one kid makes a claim that they need an accommodation. Why now when COVID numbers are low? Will this apply to fly, RSV, etc.?

This seems like a giant can of worms and I’m sure I’ll get skewered, but I don’t want my young kids back in masks. My almost-5 year old spent nearly half his life in one and hated it. He has delays and it was a nightmare for us to get him to wear it. We are vaxxed and boosted, and masked when mandated, so no, not crazy Trumpers. But I am concerned we are opening the door to this concept of making a whole class of kids be a part of a student’s accommodation.

And FWIW I also don’t think a whole class of kids should be disrupted because one student with an IEP is having a violent meltdown. In general I think accommodations should not extend to altering the behavior of other students in class.

Tell me you hate kids with disabilities without saying you hate kids with disabilities.

I have a kid with a disability. Who didn’t get services he’s entitled to per his IEP during school closures. But nice try.

Oh so you just hate THOSE kids with disabilities, you know the ones who don't have health immune systems. You're still being ableist.

DP - You need to stop. You aren't helping anyone with a disability with this attitude.

I don't think they want to help anyone. I think they are just mean.

They're mad no one is responding to their multiple threads on AEM today. No one will argue with them there so they had to come here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.nbc12.com/2022/12/12/aclu-parents-virginia-settle-lawsuit-school-masking-accommodations/

Does this mean what I think it means? That schools can require students to mask as an accommodation for others? What happens when someone filed a counter request for an accommodation that their child has a disability that makes masking difficult (such as social or speech delays)?

Is there a certain illness metric that must be met, or is the school now required to enforce universal masking if one kid makes a claim that they need an accommodation. Why now when COVID numbers are low? Will this apply to fly, RSV, etc.?

This seems like a giant can of worms and I’m sure I’ll get skewered, but I don’t want my young kids back in masks. My almost-5 year old spent nearly half his life in one and hated it. He has delays and it was a nightmare for us to get him to wear it. We are vaxxed and boosted, and masked when mandated, so no, not crazy Trumpers. But I am concerned we are opening the door to this concept of making a whole class of kids be a part of a student’s accommodation.

And FWIW I also don’t think a whole class of kids should be disrupted because one student with an IEP is having a violent meltdown. In general I think accommodations should not extend to altering the behavior of other students in class.

Speech delays have nothing to do with masking. ASD might. It's kinda sad you cannot be considerate to the child who may have health issues who otherwise may not be able to go to school. Being vaccinated and boosted helps your child not others as its not stopping transmission fully. Maybe you should homeschool.

You asset this rather confidently but we really don’t know that speech delays have nothing to do with masking. Masks may not cause delays, but they certainly don’t help them. And kids with autism/sensory issues may not like masking. But no one was worried about those kids during school closures/mask mandates. Even now, COVID is still the cause du jour for a certain segment of society who act as if it’s the only heath issue that matters.

I love when people assert so confidently that masks don't work but that they have been proven to cause speech delays.

Uh, I think you have your science wrong. Lots of studies showing masks work and lots of uninformed opinions on their harms.

Please go re-read. Where did I say masks *cause* speech delays? I’m waiting … Maybe read before you respond and call others uninformed.

Just scroll back a few - 15:48 I believe -
"And to give them speech issues, challenges connecting/recognizing emotions, and failure to develop normal immunity."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.nbc12.com/2022/12/12/aclu-parents-virginia-settle-lawsuit-school-masking-accommodations/

Does this mean what I think it means? That schools can require students to mask as an accommodation for others? What happens when someone filed a counter request for an accommodation that their child has a disability that makes masking difficult (such as social or speech delays)?

Is there a certain illness metric that must be met, or is the school now required to enforce universal masking if one kid makes a claim that they need an accommodation. Why now when COVID numbers are low? Will this apply to fly, RSV, etc.?

This seems like a giant can of worms and I’m sure I’ll get skewered, but I don’t want my young kids back in masks. My almost-5 year old spent nearly half his life in one and hated it. He has delays and it was a nightmare for us to get him to wear it. We are vaxxed and boosted, and masked when mandated, so no, not crazy Trumpers. But I am concerned we are opening the door to this concept of making a whole class of kids be a part of a student’s accommodation.

And FWIW I also don’t think a whole class of kids should be disrupted because one student with an IEP is having a violent meltdown. In general I think accommodations should not extend to altering the behavior of other students in class.

Speech delays have nothing to do with masking. ASD might. It's kinda sad you cannot be considerate to the child who may have health issues who otherwise may not be able to go to school. Being vaccinated and boosted helps your child not others as its not stopping transmission fully. Maybe you should homeschool.

You asset this rather confidently but we really don’t know that speech delays have nothing to do with masking. Masks may not cause delays, but they certainly don’t help them. And kids with autism/sensory issues may not like masking. But no one was worried about those kids during school closures/mask mandates. Even now, COVID is still the cause du jour for a certain segment of society who act as if it’s the only heath issue that matters.

I love when people assert so confidently that masks don't work but that they have been proven to cause speech delays.

Uh, I think you have your science wrong. Lots of studies showing masks work and [b]lots of uninformed opinions on their harms[/b].

Do you seriously think enough time has passed to definitely declare there are no harms to masking. These things take literal years to show long term effects. And way to dismiss all the parents who have witnessed first-hand the negative effects of masking on their children.

And the studies don’t show cloth masks do much. That is pretty common knowledge now. N95s do work, but those protect the wearer. So just wear an N95 if you (or your kids) would like. But if you think something sold at Old Navy and worn by a 6 year old is going to protect a child with cancer, I think you are the one who has “your science wrong.”

"Yeah, science can only prove the points that I agree with..."

What? You aren’t responding at all to anything in the above post. Do you truly believe an old Navy cloth mask worn by a first grader is going to protect a classmate with a severely compromised immune system. Show me the science that proves that point …

NP, my kid got covid in class when everyone was masking and lunch was being eaten outside. If covid is that much of a threat to a child's well-being, they should not be in crowded school classrooms.

This reminds me of my child's full day + extended care preschool class, where they sent a letter home informing parents that there was a child with cancer in the class and that no one should send the child to school with ANY cold symptoms. As much as I feel bad for a child with cancer, that's an unreasonable expectation for a preschool that functions as a daycare, and I ignored it and instead heeded the school's normal 24-h/no fever policy, which is what I signed up for. Kids will get sick at school, and if that's not an acceptable risk to a particular child, that child should not be in school.

Wow, not only is it a crazy expectation, but it’s not realistic even if parents tried to comply. For many illnesses, kids are the most contagious before symptoms appear and many symptoms linger once a child is no longer contagious. So just keeping kids home based on symptoms alone will not stop the spread of viruses in congregate settings. I feel awful for any family with a child with cancer, but I don’t think a group childcare setting is a safe option.

This right here is the problem with the current school policies as well. I would love to stop the spread of disease- my family has been down with the flu, would have preferred not to have that. Unfortunately, my kids were in school at their most contagious before they were symptomatic- keeping them home b/c of their post-viral coughs isn't helping anyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.nbc12.com/2022/12/12/aclu-parents-virginia-settle-lawsuit-school-masking-accommodations/

Does this mean what I think it means? That schools can require students to mask as an accommodation for others? What happens when someone filed a counter request for an accommodation that their child has a disability that makes masking difficult (such as social or speech delays)?

Is there a certain illness metric that must be met, or is the school now required to enforce universal masking if one kid makes a claim that they need an accommodation. Why now when COVID numbers are low? Will this apply to fly, RSV, etc.?

This seems like a giant can of worms and I’m sure I’ll get skewered, but I don’t want my young kids back in masks. My almost-5 year old spent nearly half his life in one and hated it. He has delays and it was a nightmare for us to get him to wear it. We are vaxxed and boosted, and masked when mandated, so no, not crazy Trumpers. But I am concerned we are opening the door to this concept of making a whole class of kids be a part of a student’s accommodation.

And FWIW I also don’t think a whole class of kids should be disrupted because one student with an IEP is having a violent meltdown. In general I think accommodations should not extend to altering the behavior of other students in class.

Speech delays have nothing to do with masking. ASD might. It's kinda sad you cannot be considerate to the child who may have health issues who otherwise may not be able to go to school. Being vaccinated and boosted helps your child not others as its not stopping transmission fully. Maybe you should homeschool.

You asset this rather confidently but we really don’t know that speech delays have nothing to do with masking. Masks may not cause delays, but they certainly don’t help them. And kids with autism/sensory issues may not like masking. But no one was worried about those kids during school closures/mask mandates. Even now, COVID is still the cause du jour for a certain segment of society who act as if it’s the only heath issue that matters.

I love when people assert so confidently that masks don't work but that they have been proven to cause speech delays.

Uh, I think you have your science wrong. Lots of studies showing masks work and lots of uninformed opinions on their harms.

Please go re-read. Where did I say masks *cause* speech delays? I’m waiting … Maybe read before you respond and call others uninformed.

so you admit that they don't?

Sure. But it doesn’t really matter what *causes* the speech delay. Kids with speech and language delays are negatively affected by masks even if the masks don’t cause the delay. Not to mention kids with social delays, ASD/sensory kids, and deaf kids.

https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2022/03/how-masks-get-way-speech-therapy-kids/623332/

Why don't you show me a peer reviewed study, not a news article that interviewed a few parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The mask discourse is pretty much decided already. When given the choice, almost zero parents are requiring kids to mask. Vast majority of adults are not masking either. The only place I see even 1/4 of people masking voluntarily is the metro. The revealed preference is that the risk of covid is not worth the burden of masking.

Therefore … requiring kids to mask is unreasonable.

That is not how the law works.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, if a student in your child’s class has cancer, you’re not willing to have your kid mask?

Masks don’t work with young kids. They don’t wear them properly, they are gross at the end of the day, and it’s not hygienic. It’s a gross cloth accessory.

Maybe this could work in a HS where kids only have to wear it in the class(es) with that other student. But at the elementary level you’re talking about all day long, possibly for multiple years of life if in the class with that student more than once. We have zero studies on the long term effects of constant masking beginning in young childhood.

It makes much more since to have the child with cancer wear an N95 that actually provides them with protection.

Huh? My kindergartener wears a mask just fine. She and her friends wore masks just fine in preschool too.

Have you been in a school? Masks slip down constantly, alll day. They fall on the ground. Someone touches it. They're off for lunch. It's definitely not consistent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.nbc12.com/2022/12/12/aclu-parents-virginia-settle-lawsuit-school-masking-accommodations/

Does this mean what I think it means? That schools can require students to mask as an accommodation for others? What happens when someone filed a counter request for an accommodation that their child has a disability that makes masking difficult (such as social or speech delays)?

Is there a certain illness metric that must be met, or is the school now required to enforce universal masking if one kid makes a claim that they need an accommodation. Why now when COVID numbers are low? Will this apply to fly, RSV, etc.?

This seems like a giant can of worms and I’m sure I’ll get skewered, but I don’t want my young kids back in masks. My almost-5 year old spent nearly half his life in one and hated it. He has delays and it was a nightmare for us to get him to wear it. We are vaxxed and boosted, and masked when mandated, so no, not crazy Trumpers. But I am concerned we are opening the door to this concept of making a whole class of kids be a part of a student’s accommodation.

And FWIW I also don’t think a whole class of kids should be disrupted because one student with an IEP is having a violent meltdown. In general I think accommodations should not extend to altering the behavior of other students in class.

Speech delays have nothing to do with masking. ASD might. It's kinda sad you cannot be considerate to the child who may have health issues who otherwise may not be able to go to school. Being vaccinated and boosted helps your child not others as its not stopping transmission fully. Maybe you should homeschool.

You asset this rather confidently but we really don’t know that speech delays have nothing to do with masking. Masks may not cause delays, but they certainly don’t help them. And kids with autism/sensory issues may not like masking. But no one was worried about those kids during school closures/mask mandates. Even now, COVID is still the cause du jour for a certain segment of society who act as if it’s the only heath issue that matters.

I love when people assert so confidently that masks don't work but that they have been proven to cause speech delays.

Uh, I think you have your science wrong. Lots of studies showing masks work and [b]lots of uninformed opinions on their harms[/b].

Do you seriously think enough time has passed to definitely declare there are no harms to masking. These things take literal years to show long term effects. And way to dismiss all the parents who have witnessed first-hand the negative effects of masking on their children.

And the studies don’t show cloth masks do much. That is pretty common knowledge now. N95s do work, but those protect the wearer. So just wear an N95 if you (or your kids) would like. But if you think something sold at Old Navy and worn by a 6 year old is going to protect a child with cancer, I think you are the one who has “your science wrong.”

"Yeah, science can only prove the points that I agree with..."

+1

Plus love how the antimaskers pick the straw man of cloth masks when literally no one on this post is advocating for their use.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would much rather accommodate a medically fragile child by having my kids wear masks than have them in class with some of the violent kids who are there.

I would happily do this. The while class would be healthier and everyone learns how to be part of a caring community - everyone wins.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.nbc12.com/2022/12/12/aclu-parents-virginia-settle-lawsuit-school-masking-accommodations/

Does this mean what I think it means? That schools can require students to mask as an accommodation for others? What happens when someone filed a counter request for an accommodation that their child has a disability that makes masking difficult (such as social or speech delays)?

Is there a certain illness metric that must be met, or is the school now required to enforce universal masking if one kid makes a claim that they need an accommodation. Why now when COVID numbers are low? Will this apply to fly, RSV, etc.?

This seems like a giant can of worms and I’m sure I’ll get skewered, but I don’t want my young kids back in masks. My almost-5 year old spent nearly half his life in one and hated it. He has delays and it was a nightmare for us to get him to wear it. We are vaxxed and boosted, and masked when mandated, so no, not crazy Trumpers. But I am concerned we are opening the door to this concept of making a whole class of kids be a part of a student’s accommodation.

And FWIW I also don’t think a whole class of kids should be disrupted because one student with an IEP is having a violent meltdown. In general I think accommodations should not extend to altering the behavior of other students in class.

Speech delays have nothing to do with masking. ASD might. It's kinda sad you cannot be considerate to the child who may have health issues who otherwise may not be able to go to school. Being vaccinated and boosted helps your child not others as its not stopping transmission fully. Maybe you should homeschool.

You asset this rather confidently but we really don’t know that speech delays have nothing to do with masking. Masks may not cause delays, but they certainly don’t help them. And kids with autism/sensory issues may not like masking. But no one was worried about those kids during school closures/mask mandates. Even now, COVID is still the cause du jour for a certain segment of society who act as if it’s the only heath issue that matters.

I love when people assert so confidently that masks don't work but that they have been proven to cause speech delays.

Uh, I think you have your science wrong. Lots of studies showing masks work and [b]lots of uninformed opinions on their harms[/b].

Do you seriously think enough time has passed to definitely declare there are no harms to masking. These things take literal years to show long term effects. And way to dismiss all the parents who have witnessed first-hand the negative effects of masking on their children.

And the studies don’t show cloth masks do much. That is pretty common knowledge now. N95s do work, but those protect the wearer. So just wear an N95 if you (or your kids) would like. But if you think something sold at Old Navy and worn by a 6 year old is going to protect a child with cancer, I think you are the one who has “your science wrong.”

"Yeah, science can only prove the points that I agree with..."

What? You aren’t responding at all to anything in the above post. Do you truly believe an old Navy cloth mask worn by a first grader is going to protect a classmate with a severely compromised immune system. Show me the science that proves that point …

NP, my kid got covid in class when everyone was masking and lunch was being eaten outside. If covid is that much of a threat to a child's well-being, they should not be in crowded school classrooms.

This reminds me of my child's full day + extended care preschool class, where they sent a letter home informing parents that there was a child with cancer in the class and that no one should send the child to school with ANY cold symptoms. As much as I feel bad for a child with cancer, that's an unreasonable expectation for a preschool that functions as a daycare, and I ignored it and instead heeded the school's normal 24-h/no fever policy, which is what I signed up for. Kids will get sick at school, and if that's not an acceptable risk to a particular child, that child should not be in school.

You really suck, PP. That's horrible of you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Everyone forgets that this lawsuit wasn't filed because of a health concerns. It was a filed for political reasons to prove that republicans are wrong. Now, no cares anymore about the governor being a republican and the whole "trumper" thing has lost it's edge so people don't really care about masks.

This is completely false and made up - you clearly do not know why this lawsuit was filed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, if a student in your child’s class has cancer, you’re not willing to have your kid mask?

My child is deaf. Your child will not wear a mask so my child can read her lips. Cancer student should stay home.

How about your deaf child stays home since she can't hear? See how this works?

A sigh language interpreter in the classroom doesn’t interfere with other kids ability to learn. Special software that helps communicate doesn’t interfere with the other kids ability to learn A mask that makes it harder for a Teacher and classmates to be understood interferes with their ability to learn. One kids accommodations don’t interfere with the rest of the classes ability to learn while the other one does. See how that works?

A sign language interpreter is distracting to the kids with ADHD. Your kid should stay home.

I'm not sure if you are trying to be intentionally hurtful, or if you are mentally ill. You're point is not being made, all that you show is you're an a-hole.

I guess you don't get sarcasm. Of course I don't actually think the deaf child should stay home. The parent of the deaf child said the immunocompromised child - who has a different disability than her child - should stay home. I'm pointing out that others could very easily say her deaf child should stay home due to their disability and need for accommodations.

The point is that schools should put the accommodations in place for the deaf child and the immunocompromised child. Peer masking may be one of the accommodations an immunocompromised child may need to attend school. And no, that child should not have to stay home if they can attend school with this accommodation in place, that's a right they have under the ADA, and this settlement recognizes that.

The amount of ignorance, ableism and just plain hate on here is upsetting. Pretty telling that no one wants to attach their names to this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.nbc12.com/2022/12/12/aclu-parents-virginia-settle-lawsuit-school-masking-accommodations/

Does this mean what I think it means? That schools can require students to mask as an accommodation for others? What happens when someone filed a counter request for an accommodation that their child has a disability that makes masking difficult (such as social or speech delays)?

Is there a certain illness metric that must be met, or is the school now required to enforce universal masking if one kid makes a claim that they need an accommodation. Why now when COVID numbers are low? Will this apply to fly, RSV, etc.?

This seems like a giant can of worms and I’m sure I’ll get skewered, but I don’t want my young kids back in masks. My almost-5 year old spent nearly half his life in one and hated it. He has delays and it was a nightmare for us to get him to wear it. We are vaxxed and boosted, and masked when mandated, so no, not crazy Trumpers. But I am concerned we are opening the door to this concept of making a whole class of kids be a part of a student’s accommodation.

And FWIW I also don’t think a whole class of kids should be disrupted because one student with an IEP is having a violent meltdown. In general I think accommodations should not extend to altering the behavior of other students in class.

Speech delays have nothing to do with masking. ASD might. It's kinda sad you cannot be considerate to the child who may have health issues who otherwise may not be able to go to school. Being vaccinated and boosted helps your child not others as its not stopping transmission fully. Maybe you should homeschool.

You asset this rather confidently but we really don’t know that speech delays have nothing to do with masking. Masks may not cause delays, but they certainly don’t help them. And kids with autism/sensory issues may not like masking. But no one was worried about those kids during school closures/mask mandates. Even now, COVID is still the cause du jour for a certain segment of society who act as if it’s the only heath issue that matters.

I love when people assert so confidently that masks don't work but that they have been proven to cause speech delays.

Uh, I think you have your science wrong. Lots of studies showing masks work and [b]lots of uninformed opinions on their harms[/b].

Do you seriously think enough time has passed to definitely declare there are no harms to masking. These things take literal years to show long term effects. And way to dismiss all the parents who have witnessed first-hand the negative effects of masking on their children.

And the studies don’t show cloth masks do much. That is pretty common knowledge now. N95s do work, but those protect the wearer. So just wear an N95 if you (or your kids) would like. But if you think something sold at Old Navy and worn by a 6 year old is going to protect a child with cancer, I think you are the one who has “your science wrong.”

"Yeah, science can only prove the points that I agree with..."

What? You aren’t responding at all to anything in the above post. Do you truly believe an old Navy cloth mask worn by a first grader is going to protect a classmate with a severely compromised immune system. Show me the science that proves that point …

NP, my kid got covid in class when everyone was masking and lunch was being eaten outside. If covid is that much of a threat to a child's well-being, they should not be in crowded school classrooms.

This reminds me of my child's full day + extended care preschool class, where they sent a letter home informing parents that there was a child with cancer in the class and that no one should send the child to school with ANY cold symptoms. As much as I feel bad for a child with cancer, that's an unreasonable expectation for a preschool that functions as a daycare, and I ignored it and instead heeded the school's normal 24-h/no fever policy, which is what I signed up for. Kids will get sick at school, and if that's not an acceptable risk to a particular child, that child should not be in school.

Wow, not only is it a crazy expectation, but it’s not realistic even if parents tried to comply. For many illnesses, kids are the most contagious before symptoms appear and many symptoms linger once a child is no longer contagious. So just keeping kids home based on symptoms alone will not stop the spread of viruses in congregate settings. I feel awful for any family with a child with cancer, but I don’t think a group childcare setting is a safe option.

This right here is the problem with the current school policies as well. I would love to stop the spread of disease- my family has been down with the flu, would have preferred not to have that. Unfortunately, my kids were in school at their most contagious before they were symptomatic- keeping them home b/c of their post-viral coughs isn't helping anyone.

uh yeah that's why some severely immunocompromised people needs their classmates to wear masks.