Looking for preschool that allows mask choice outdoors (and follows latest CDC advice) in MOCO

[Anonymous]

What preschool are you at? Outdoor Nursery? Audubon Nature PReschool? They could have been unmasked all year - it's an OUTSIDE program!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dr. Bridgers just said they are currently still recommending masking in child care since they serve "unvaccinated" populations (apparently only young children are "unvaccinated") and they are still seeing outbreaks.

Why do we even listen to idiots like this? If the people of this area had any balls, he's be thrown out of his position. Children should remain an unvaccinated population! They aren't at risk. They vaccine isn't effective for them. It's unnecessary!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dr. Bridgers just said they are currently still recommending masking in child care since they serve "unvaccinated" populations (apparently only young children are "unvaccinated") and they are still seeing outbreaks.

Why do we even listen to idiots like this? If the people of this area had any balls, he's be thrown out of his position. Children should remain an unvaccinated population! They aren't at risk. They vaccine isn't effective for them. It's unnecessary!

He’s not even an MD! He has a Ph.D. NOT in epidemiology. No wonder he need a some one to tell him what to do. Some one qualified should be able to look at the data for MOCO and apply it TODAY. This is infuriating. I wonder if there is something at the state level that can be done faster; I don’t think this is a priority for the CDC but hope I’m wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder what will happen in a week when the Board of Education formally votes to remove the mask mandate in public schools. How much longer will we require masks for young children? I'm so worried our daycare will just keep them. And I have sympathy for them - they've been operating in crisis mode for so long. I have so much respect for them for working so hard to care for our children knowing they are putting themselves at risk. They are not experts in public health and I don't blame them for choosing the option they feel is "safe".

I really wish the CDC would explicitly state that young children should not be wearing cloth masks in school. I don't for the life of me understand why they haven't done so, given what we know about the efficacy of cloth masks under the best conditions, and I can't vote for an administration that allows this to continue.

I don't get why those who are not experts in public health would create their own policies rather than following federal/state/local public health guidelines, none of which requires masks for kids in preschool right now. We are currently looking for a new center that will agree to DHHS guidance rather than creating its own standard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder what will happen in a week when the Board of Education formally votes to remove the mask mandate in public schools. How much longer will we require masks for young children? I'm so worried our daycare will just keep them. And I have sympathy for them - they've been operating in crisis mode for so long. I have so much respect for them for working so hard to care for our children knowing they are putting themselves at risk. They are not experts in public health and I don't blame them for choosing the option they feel is "safe".

I really wish the CDC would explicitly state that young children should not be wearing cloth masks in school. I don't for the life of me understand why they haven't done so, given what we know about the efficacy of cloth masks under the best conditions, and I can't vote for an administration that allows this to continue.

I don't get why those who are not experts in public health would create their own policies rather than following federal/state/local public health guidelines, none of which requires masks for kids in preschool right now. We are currently looking for a new center that will agree to DHHS guidance rather than creating its own standard.

Up until now, the CDC absolutely recommended universal masking of everyone over the age of 2 in indoor settings. Recommending universal masking means recommending that masks be required.

At the state level, the current guidance (updated October 2021) reads as follows:

Emergency regulations promulgated by MSDE and the Maryland State Board of Education and approved on 9/14/2021 by the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review (AELR), require that all individuals cover their mouth and nose with a face covering while inside a public school facility.

For all other schools and for child care programs, MDH and MSDE, in alignment with CDC guidance, strongly recommend the following:
● Indoor masking for all individuals age 2 years and older, including students/children, teachers, staff, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status
● Outdoor masking for people who are not fully vaccinated when they are in crowded outdoor settings or during activities that involve sustained close contact with other people

Schools and child care programs should be aware that the federal order that face masks be worn by all people while on public transportation conveyances, including public and private school buses, is still in effect. School and child care programs should refer to CDC guidance for important exceptions and additional safety considerations related to the use of masks.

Obviously this is out of date with respect to public school facilities. With respect to other schools and child care programs, no I don't blame the schools following this strongly worded guidance that calls for them to require masks. I blame the people who wrote this guidance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What preschool are you at? Outdoor Nursery? Audubon Nature PReschool? They could have been unmasked all year - it's an OUTSIDE program!

Outdoor nursery is mask optional outside. Audubon requires masks outside for unvaccinated kids, and if the class is less than 90% vaccinated. So under 5s are masked inside and outside.