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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Masks are not a big deal until we get everyone (most) vaxxed. The kids are pretty indifferent, just the parents. Typical wedge issue/non-issue to stir up the ranks.

I mean we can debate about whether they are necessary but stop gaslighting on them being awesome. Yes, my neurotypical kids will comply and wear them because that is the price for in person school but they are a big deal to them. My daughter says she can’t recognize her classmates on the playground and has difficulty hearing and understanding her teacher. She is soft spoken so when she says please repeat she is often not heard behind 3 layers of cotton. They are not great for learning and developing peer relationships which is probably why other countries are quicker to let them go in schools once cases under control.

When people have choices, most people chose not to be in a mask. That, by it's very definition, means it's deal. In this instance, I am talking about adults. I can certainly see the difference in people who voluntarily came in to the office when there was no mask mandate v. now.

But the bigger thing is we really are underestimating how this affect some kids who are not going to complain loudly. For some kids, like my older one? Masks are totally fine. For my younger one, who has difficulty understanding speech when people wear it, seeing expressions, has a hard time in PE, etc., it is a big deal. It really pisses me off when that gets dismissed.

That’s not true. When there was no mask mandate back in summer, I still see most people wearing masks in grocery stores. It’s interesting Walmart has way more people wearing masks than costco. Majority of people not wearing masks are white.

[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

You hope the kids wear masks for a lot longer just to be safe?! Knock yourself out. I’m horrified my 4 year old will likely wear them 40 hours a week for 2 years. Isn’t hat enough? I mean YOU can do what you want but at a certain point especially once kids are vaccinated and are therefore much less likely to get covid you need to let it go and respect that not everyone feels warm and fuzzy on masks. I think they are disgusting and dystopian and can’t wait for moco to catch up.

[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

You hope the kids wear masks for a lot longer just to be safe?! Knock yourself out. I’m horrified my 4 year old will likely wear them 40 hours a week for 2 years. Isn’t hat enough? I mean YOU can do what you want but at a certain point especially once kids are vaccinated and are therefore much less likely to get covid you need to let it go and respect that not everyone feels warm and fuzzy on masks. I think they are disgusting and dystopian and can’t wait for moco to catch up.

It’s not about you. It’s about keeping all kids safe. Your kid probably does not care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

You hope the kids wear masks for a lot longer just to be safe?! Knock yourself out. I’m horrified my 4 year old will likely wear them 40 hours a week for 2 years. Isn’t hat enough? I mean YOU can do what you want but at a certain point especially once kids are vaccinated and are therefore much less likely to get covid you need to let it go and respect that not everyone feels warm and fuzzy on masks. I think they are disgusting and dystopian and can’t wait for moco to catch up.

Horrified? Dystopian? Wow.

[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

You hope the kids wear masks for a lot longer just to be safe?! Knock yourself out. I’m horrified my 4 year old will likely wear them 40 hours a week for 2 years. Isn’t hat enough? I mean YOU can do what you want but at a certain point especially once kids are vaccinated and are therefore much less likely to get covid you need to let it go and respect that not everyone feels warm and fuzzy on masks. I think they are disgusting and dystopian and can’t wait for moco to catch up.

I know it's just crazy and it's not like a million people have died from covid yet?!?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

You hope the kids wear masks for a lot longer just to be safe?! Knock yourself out. I’m horrified my 4 year old will likely wear them 40 hours a week for 2 years. Isn’t hat enough? I mean YOU can do what you want but at a certain point especially once kids are vaccinated and are therefore much less likely to get covid you need to let it go and respect that not everyone feels warm and fuzzy on masks. I think they are disgusting and dystopian and can’t wait for moco to catch up.

Horrified? Dystopian? Wow.

Masks are great. They've kept us safe, but the Trumpers sure hate them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Masks are not a big deal until we get everyone (most) vaxxed. The kids are pretty indifferent, just the parents. Typical wedge issue/non-issue to stir up the ranks.

I mean we can debate about whether they are necessary but stop gaslighting on them being awesome. Yes, my neurotypical kids will comply and wear them because that is the price for in person school but they are a big deal to them. My daughter says she can’t recognize her classmates on the playground and has difficulty hearing and understanding her teacher. She is soft spoken so when she says please repeat she is often not heard behind 3 layers of cotton. They are not great for learning and developing peer relationships which is probably why other countries are quicker to let them go in schools once cases under control.

When people have choices, most people chose not to be in a mask. That, by it's very definition, means it's deal. In this instance, I am talking about adults. I can certainly see the difference in people who voluntarily came in to the office when there was no mask mandate v. now.

But the bigger thing is we really are underestimating how this affect some kids who are not going to complain loudly. For some kids, like my older one? Masks are totally fine. For my younger one, who has difficulty understanding speech when people wear it, seeing expressions, has a hard time in PE, etc., it is a big deal. It really pisses me off when that gets dismissed.

That’s not true. When there was no mask mandate back in summer, I still see most people wearing masks in grocery stores. It’s interesting Walmart has way more people wearing masks than costco. Majority of people not wearing masks are white.

Not true. Depends on where you are. I go to Baltimore for work a good amount. Plenty of African American people up there not wearing masks. It’s been that way since the beginning of the pandemic.

[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

You hope the kids wear masks for a lot longer just to be safe?! Knock yourself out. I’m horrified my 4 year old will likely wear them 40 hours a week for 2 years. Isn’t hat enough? I mean YOU can do what you want but at a certain point especially once kids are vaccinated and are therefore much less likely to get covid you need to let it go and respect that not everyone feels warm and fuzzy on masks. I think they are disgusting and dystopian and can’t wait for moco to catch up.

I know it's just crazy and it's not like a million people have died from covid yet?!?!

To be exact: 4,978,251 world wide have died of covid.

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/coronavirus-death-toll/

And, many more have long term health issues. But this poster's too fragile to allow her child to wear a mask for the greater good.

More pathetic is the US is leading with the most covid cases and deaths and we have vaccines, unlike other countries:

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

You hope the kids wear masks for a lot longer just to be safe?! Knock yourself out. I’m horrified my 4 year old will likely wear them 40 hours a week for 2 years. Isn’t hat enough? I mean YOU can do what you want but at a certain point especially once kids are vaccinated and are therefore much less likely to get covid you need to let it go and respect that not everyone feels warm and fuzzy on masks. I think they are disgusting and dystopian and can’t wait for moco to catch up.

Horrified? Dystopian? Wow.

Masks are great. They've kept us safe, but the Trumpers sure hate them.

Let’s be realistic. Masks were basically all we had last year. But this year we have vaccines, which are much more effective than masks.

[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.

+1, 000

[Anonymous]

At this point I am more concerned with “your class got lice” letters which we seem to be getting once a week. My child also has had 2 pink eyes since the school started. I am ready to send him to school in a scaphander.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think it’s time to talk about masks because people are just not ready. I think once the mask mandate for the overall county is gone, people will take a few months to get used to it. I am hoping by spring they will start to let go of some of this anxiety and then our kids can unmask in schools provided MSDe agrees.

Cdc recommends masking at school.

And yet tons of kids coming down with colds and throat infections and coughs.

How do you explain that? Masks are not the long term answer. The folks getting sick with Covid are obese and/or have lung issues. Let's tackle that.

Have you been in an elementary school?? Oh wait, you are not allowed in due to covid. Let me tell you what I see every single day. 60% of kids have their mask off or worn wrong. 60% easily. At recess, they get thrown on the ground or tossed somewhere and they run around, climb all over each other, play and talk in each other's faces non-stop. Let me repeat. There is no distancing and no masks being worn outside. They go to lunch and spend another 30 minutes sharing food, talking, coughing, sneezing and being in each other's faces as they are crammed at a table to eat. That is one hour of pure unmasked bliss going on. That is another 5 hours with improperly worn masks if worn at all. I have noticed since time ticks on, many kids are removing their masks and only putting it on when the teacher reinforces masking. Now do you see why kids are sick with everything but covid. Most adults are vaxxed so there is not much covid spreading amongst kids but stomach bugs, flu, cold, RSV, and strep are RAMPANT! My own Kindergartner gets sick every two weeks like clockwork.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think it’s time to talk about masks because people are just not ready. I think once the mask mandate for the overall county is gone, people will take a few months to get used to it. I am hoping by spring they will start to let go of some of this anxiety and then our kids can unmask in schools provided MSDe agrees.

Cdc recommends masking at school.

And yet tons of kids coming down with colds and throat infections and coughs.

How do you explain that? Masks are not the long term answer. The folks getting sick with Covid are obese and/or have lung issues. Let's tackle that.

Have you been in an elementary school?? Oh wait, you are not allowed in due to covid. Let me tell you what I see every single day. 60% of kids have their mask off or worn wrong. 60% easily. At recess, they get thrown on the ground or tossed somewhere and they run around, climb all over each other, play and talk in each other's faces non-stop. Let me repeat. There is no distancing and no masks being worn outside. They go to lunch and spend another 30 minutes sharing food, talking, coughing, sneezing and being in each other's faces as they are crammed at a table to eat. That is one hour of pure unmasked bliss going on. That is another 5 hours with improperly worn masks if worn at all. I have noticed since time ticks on, many kids are removing their masks and only putting it on when the teacher reinforces masking. Now do you see why kids are sick with everything but covid. Most adults are vaxxed so there is not much covid spreading amongst kids but stomach bugs, flu, cold, RSV, and strep are RAMPANT! My own Kindergartner gets sick every two weeks like clockwork.

DP. Aren’t you making the PP’s point that there’s no use in requiring masks at school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are people so hung up on the 5-11 vaccines? Do you really think there is going to be a huge uptake as we saw in the 12 and over population?

My guess is around 60 to 70% will get vaccinated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

You hope the kids wear masks for a lot longer just to be safe?! Knock yourself out. I’m horrified my 4 year old will likely wear them 40 hours a week for 2 years. Isn’t hat enough? I mean YOU can do what you want but at a certain point especially once kids are vaccinated and are therefore much less likely to get covid you need to let it go and respect that not everyone feels warm and fuzzy on masks. I think they are disgusting and dystopian and can’t wait for moco to catch up.

Horrified? Dystopian? Wow.

Masks are great. They've kept us safe, but the Trumpers sure hate them.

Illustrating once again why trolls make it impossible to have any kind of nuanced or educated or conversation