VA Toddlers & Masks - open letter

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s already no mask mandate in VA

THIS
There's never been a mask mandate for children under 5 in VA. That decision has always been left up to the preschools and daycares, nearly all of which are privately owned.

+1. What the heck?

I dont know, but these boards are riddled with posts from people who seem to think that Virginia mandated masks for ALL children, regardless of age. That was never the case. It is almost as if someone is trying to invent an issue where one doesn't actually exist.

We KNOW there is no mandate. We want the state to force private businesses to also offer optional. We want their licensing to be conditional on parent choice.

Huh? You want the state to tell a private business that they cannot require masks? What business are you specifically worried about? Why not just patronize somewhere else that doesn’t require masks for under fives?

BECAUSE THERE ARE NO SECULAR OPTIONS IN NORTH ARLINGTON. I don't want my three year old masked 8 hours a day but I DO want him in preschool!

Then you will need to drive a bit further or start your own preschool. Most parents want their kids not to get sick from your kid and yoru family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s already no mask mandate in VA

THIS
There's never been a mask mandate for children under 5 in VA. That decision has always been left up to the preschools and daycares, nearly all of which are privately owned.

+1. What the heck?

I dont know, but these boards are riddled with posts from people who seem to think that Virginia mandated masks for ALL children, regardless of age. That was never the case. It is almost as if someone is trying to invent an issue where one doesn't actually exist.

We KNOW there is no mandate. We want the state to force private businesses to also offer optional. We want their licensing to be conditional on parent choice.

Huh? You want the state to tell a private business that they cannot require masks? What business are you specifically worried about? Why not just patronize somewhere else that doesn’t require masks for under fives?

BECAUSE THERE ARE NO SECULAR OPTIONS IN NORTH ARLINGTON. I don't want my three year old masked 8 hours a day but I DO want him in preschool!

Then you will need to drive a bit further or start your own preschool. Most parents want their kids not to get sick from your kid and yoru family.

Last I checked there were no outbreaks out "further". When will it be enough?! This is the demographic at lowest risk of poor outcomes with the MOST restrictions on their lives. I will never understand you or your positions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s already no mask mandate in VA

THIS
There's never been a mask mandate for children under 5 in VA. That decision has always been left up to the preschools and daycares, nearly all of which are privately owned.

+1. What the heck?

I dont know, but these boards are riddled with posts from people who seem to think that Virginia mandated masks for ALL children, regardless of age. That was never the case. It is almost as if someone is trying to invent an issue where one doesn't actually exist.

We KNOW there is no mandate. We want the state to force private businesses to also offer optional. We want their licensing to be conditional on parent choice.

Huh? You want the state to tell a private business that they cannot require masks? What business are you specifically worried about? Why not just patronize somewhere else that doesn’t require masks for under fives?

BECAUSE THERE ARE NO SECULAR OPTIONS IN NORTH ARLINGTON. I don't want my three year old masked 8 hours a day but I DO want him in preschool!

Then you will need to drive a bit further or start your own preschool. Most parents want their kids not to get sick from your kid and yoru family.

Last I checked there were no outbreaks out "further". When will it be enough?! This is the demographic at lowest risk of poor outcomes with the MOST restrictions on their lives. I will never understand you or your positions.

I am totally against masking kids in daycare. I think the data has shown it simply isn’t having enough of an impact on disease transmission. So I agree with you whole heartedly that I do not want my kid unnecessarily masked for 8 hours a day.

That said, you are talking about private businesses. They can do what they want and you can choose alternative care if you don’t like their rules. My 2 year old is in a nanny share that does not mask. You can find an alternative for your three year old or wait until your private preschool comes around a drops the requirement. I get that you don’t like it and it’s easier if the preschool your kid is already at just drops the mandate (or is forced to) but that’s not how this works.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s already no mask mandate in VA

THIS
There's never been a mask mandate for children under 5 in VA. That decision has always been left up to the preschools and daycares, nearly all of which are privately owned.

+1. What the heck?

I dont know, but these boards are riddled with posts from people who seem to think that Virginia mandated masks for ALL children, regardless of age. That was never the case. It is almost as if someone is trying to invent an issue where one doesn't actually exist.

We KNOW there is no mandate. We want the state to force private businesses to also offer optional. We want their licensing to be conditional on parent choice.

Huh? You want the state to tell a private business that they cannot require masks? What business are you specifically worried about? Why not just patronize somewhere else that doesn’t require masks for under fives?

BECAUSE THERE ARE NO SECULAR OPTIONS IN NORTH ARLINGTON. I don't want my three year old masked 8 hours a day but I DO want him in preschool!

Then you will need to drive a bit further or start your own preschool. Most parents want their kids not to get sick from your kid and yoru family.

Last I checked there were no outbreaks out "further". When will it be enough?! This is the demographic at lowest risk of poor outcomes with the MOST restrictions on their lives. I will never understand you or your positions.

I am totally against masking kids in daycare. I think the data has shown it simply isn’t having enough of an impact on disease transmission. So I agree with you whole heartedly that I do not want my kid unnecessarily masked for 8 hours a day.

That said, you are talking about private businesses. They can do what they want and you can choose alternative care if you don’t like their rules. My 2 year old is in a nanny share that does not mask. You can find an alternative for your three year old or wait until your private preschool comes around a drops the requirement. I get that you don’t like it and it’s easier if the preschool your kid is already at just drops the mandate (or is forced to) but that’s not how this works.

+1 to all of this.

[Anonymous]

F*ck off with this "private business" BS. You morons are the same ones who gleefully celebrated as the state/fed worked to FORCE private businesses to lockdown and later impose vaccine mandates. Your opinions don't matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s already no mask mandate in VA

THIS
There's never been a mask mandate for children under 5 in VA. That decision has always been left up to the preschools and daycares, nearly all of which are privately owned.

+1. What the heck?

I dont know, but these boards are riddled with posts from people who seem to think that Virginia mandated masks for ALL children, regardless of age. That was never the case. It is almost as if someone is trying to invent an issue where one doesn't actually exist.

We KNOW there is no mandate. We want the state to force private businesses to also offer optional. We want their licensing to be conditional on parent choice.

Huh? You want the state to tell a private business that they cannot require masks? What business are you specifically worried about? Why not just patronize somewhere else that doesn’t require masks for under fives?

BECAUSE THERE ARE NO SECULAR OPTIONS IN NORTH ARLINGTON. I don't want my three year old masked 8 hours a day but I DO want him in preschool!

Then you will need to drive a bit further or start your own preschool. Most parents want their kids not to get sick from your kid and yoru family.

Last I checked there were no outbreaks out "further". When will it be enough?! This is the demographic at lowest risk of poor outcomes with the MOST restrictions on their lives. I will never understand you or your positions.

But their teachers are not in the lowest risk group. To keep a school running they need teachers. Teachers are already in short supply, many school running with limited or no subs. Many schools are enforcing masks so they are erring on the side of safety for all people in the buildings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:F*ck off with this "private business" BS. You morons are the same ones who gleefully celebrated as the state/fed worked to FORCE private businesses to lockdown and later impose vaccine mandates. Your opinions don't matter.

Why so nasty? If your child is attending a private school at any level, do you not realize that you have to abide by that school’s policies? It is your choice to enroll your child there. Part of the draw of private schools for some families is less government interference/requirements/whatever you want to call it. That works both ways, and is just as relevant in the preschool age range as it is in elementary and onward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s already no mask mandate in VA

THIS
There's never been a mask mandate for children under 5 in VA. That decision has always been left up to the preschools and daycares, nearly all of which are privately owned.

+1. What the heck?

I dont know, but these boards are riddled with posts from people who seem to think that Virginia mandated masks for ALL children, regardless of age. That was never the case. It is almost as if someone is trying to invent an issue where one doesn't actually exist.

We KNOW there is no mandate. We want the state to force private businesses to also offer optional. We want their licensing to be conditional on parent choice.

Huh? You want the state to tell a private business that they cannot require masks? What business are you specifically worried about? Why not just patronize somewhere else that doesn’t require masks for under fives?

BECAUSE THERE ARE NO SECULAR OPTIONS IN NORTH ARLINGTON. I don't want my three year old masked 8 hours a day but I DO want him in preschool!

Then you will need to drive a bit further or start your own preschool. Most parents want their kids not to get sick from your kid and yoru family.

Last I checked there were no outbreaks out "further". When will it be enough?! This is the demographic at lowest risk of poor outcomes with the MOST restrictions on their lives. I will never understand you or your positions.

But their teachers are not in the lowest risk group. To keep a school running they need teachers. Teachers are already in short supply, many school running with limited or no subs. Many schools are enforcing masks so they are erring on the side of safety for all people in the buildings.

I somewhat understand this argument with older kids who can wear masks consistently and without assistance. But are these preschool/daycare teachers really any “safer” when they’re constantly having to help toddlers take their (largely) cloth masks on and off multiple times per day? At this point I don’t see how anyone can’t recognize this as theater as opposed to an actual mitigation measure it’s being purported to be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s already no mask mandate in VA

THIS
There's never been a mask mandate for children under 5 in VA. That decision has always been left up to the preschools and daycares, nearly all of which are privately owned.

+1. What the heck?

I dont know, but these boards are riddled with posts from people who seem to think that Virginia mandated masks for ALL children, regardless of age. That was never the case. It is almost as if someone is trying to invent an issue where one doesn't actually exist.

We KNOW there is no mandate. We want the state to force private businesses to also offer optional. We want their licensing to be conditional on parent choice.

Huh? You want the state to tell a private business that they cannot require masks? What business are you specifically worried about? Why not just patronize somewhere else that doesn’t require masks for under fives?

BECAUSE THERE ARE NO SECULAR OPTIONS IN NORTH ARLINGTON. I don't want my three year old masked 8 hours a day but I DO want him in preschool!

Then you will need to drive a bit further or start your own preschool. Most parents want their kids not to get sick from your kid and yoru family.

Last I checked there were no outbreaks out "further". When will it be enough?! This is the demographic at lowest risk of poor outcomes with the MOST restrictions on their lives. I will never understand you or your positions.

But their teachers are not in the lowest risk group. To keep a school running they need teachers. Teachers are already in short supply, many school running with limited or no subs. Many schools are enforcing masks so they are erring on the side of safety for all people in the buildings.

I somewhat understand this argument with older kids who can wear masks consistently and without assistance. But are these preschool/daycare teachers really any “safer” when they’re constantly having to help toddlers take their (largely) cloth masks on and off multiple times per day? At this point I don’t see how anyone can’t recognize this as theater as opposed to an actual mitigation measure it’s being purported to be.

THIS. But, to the earlier point, teachers in catholic schools who have been mask optional for months are not quitting or getting sick in droves. NOTHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN. Masks DON'T WORK so let's stop pretending they do!

[Anonymous]

PP, you are starting to sound unhinged. I can guess which preschool you are talking about because you are correct there are very few options when it comes to secular preschools in North Arlington. You are free to send your child to a school that has a masking policy more to your liking. There are plenty of people who are happy to err on the side of caution and not replace the health department’s judgment for their own, and they will gladly take your spot. That’s your remedy - you walk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s already no mask mandate in VA

THIS
There's never been a mask mandate for children under 5 in VA. That decision has always been left up to the preschools and daycares, nearly all of which are privately owned.

+1. What the heck?

I dont know, but these boards are riddled with posts from people who seem to think that Virginia mandated masks for ALL children, regardless of age. That was never the case. It is almost as if someone is trying to invent an issue where one doesn't actually exist.

We KNOW there is no mandate. We want the state to force private businesses to also offer optional. We want their licensing to be conditional on parent choice.

Huh? You want the state to tell a private business that they cannot require masks? What business are you specifically worried about? Why not just patronize somewhere else that doesn’t require masks for under fives?

BECAUSE THERE ARE NO SECULAR OPTIONS IN NORTH ARLINGTON. I don't want my three year old masked 8 hours a day but I DO want him in preschool!

Then you will need to drive a bit further or start your own preschool. Most parents want their kids not to get sick from your kid and yoru family.

Last I checked there were no outbreaks out "further". When will it be enough?! This is the demographic at lowest risk of poor outcomes with the MOST restrictions on their lives. I will never understand you or your positions.

But their teachers are not in the lowest risk group. To keep a school running they need teachers. Teachers are already in short supply, many school running with limited or no subs. Many schools are enforcing masks so they are erring on the side of safety for all people in the buildings.

I somewhat understand this argument with older kids who can wear masks consistently and without assistance. But are these preschool/daycare teachers really any “safer” when they’re constantly having to help toddlers take their (largely) cloth masks on and off multiple times per day? At this point I don’t see how anyone can’t recognize this as theater as opposed to an actual mitigation measure it’s being purported to be.

THIS. But, to the earlier point, teachers in catholic schools who have been mask optional for months are not quitting or getting sick in droves. NOTHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN. Masks DON'T WORK so let's stop pretending they do!

SO SEND YOUR KID TO CATHOLIC SCHOOL. It’s preschool- you are paying regardless!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree in principle, but this stinks like astroturfing to me. Save the Tots quotes Steve Bannon’s preferred news source, the National Source. For real?

Not signing this. I’m all for relaxing mandatory guidance, but many daycares and preschools are private or run by parent boards. They are going to do what they want, which is what their parents want, and most parents are still leaning toward caution and doing whatever it takes to keep the doors open right now.

I refuse to click on the link, but the bolded above: Ew.

"Save the Tots", give me a break. The "tots" who actually need saving are the ones in Ukraine.

The private preschool my DC attends is still masking right now, and I support it.

[Anonymous]

There is no mask mandate. Private business are making their own choices, I would suggest you raise your concerns with your preschool/daycare - just as you would raise concerns about any other policy they have.

[Anonymous]

We can put our heads in the sand and act like private businesses can do whatever the hell they want but that has never been the case for highly regulated businesses like child care. The governor was able to impose mask mandates for the health and safety of the kids and staff when it made sense. That mandate was dropped long ago and now public health guidance no longer recommends masks. There are also very legitimate health concerns with 2 years of forced masking of toddlers and preschools. Parents know best whether their kids would benefit from a social and emotional perspective to unmask and whether the risk outweighs the very low, low risk of COVID complications. Further, kids can still wear masks. I see nothing wrong with requiring private childcare centers to allow parents the option to unmask their children. Just like I see nothing wrong with requiring private businesses to take the kids out once a day to play outside or providing each kid a cot for nap time. These are all rules meant to advance the health and well being of children and removing masks at this point in the pandemic is in line with that goal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We can put our heads in the sand and act like private businesses can do whatever the hell they want but that has never been the case for highly regulated businesses like child care. The governor was able to impose mask mandates for the health and safety of the kids and staff when it made sense. That mandate was dropped long ago and now public health guidance no longer recommends masks. There are also very legitimate health concerns with 2 years of forced masking of toddlers and preschools. Parents know best whether their kids would benefit from a social and emotional perspective to unmask and whether the risk outweighs the very low, low risk of COVID complications. Further, kids can still wear masks. I see nothing wrong with requiring private childcare centers to allow parents the option to unmask their children. Just like I see nothing wrong with requiring private businesses to take the kids out once a day to play outside or providing each kid a cot for nap time. These are all rules meant to advance the health and well being of children and removing masks at this point in the pandemic is in line with that goal.

+1 two short years ago this would be common sense but now masking is the religion of the left and it cannot be questioned even among its own followers