Please no masks for PK in '21-'22 school year

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Toddlers learn empathy by reading facial expressions, so putting them in masks is not harmless.

It's not just my reading of the science, Google "world health organization kids masks" for yourself. The WHO guidance came out in August 2020, and for the life of me I don't know why the CDC hasn't even discussed it.

So it is harmful, and it's also accomplishing *nothing*! Toddlers don't spread the disease, and they don't get sick. They also aren't good at wearing masks?!

First, keep it up and you may find your preschooler is attending a hybrid program next year and you'll have only yourself to thank for it.

Second, don't expect anyone to take you seriously when you make things up. Of course toddlers get sick. They don't get sick as often or as significantly as adults but no medical official anywhere would tell you toddlers don't get covid-19. Also, toddlers get a shit ton of other stuff and anytime your kid is drippy or sneezy next year, there will be an issue. So, best get used to the masks and cut that down too.

[Anonymous]

I agree OP. My 3 yr old wears a mask without complaining and understands why it's important (as well as someone that age can understand), but there's no question to me that it inhibits her at school. And actual PK teachers understand this too, actually. Our PK/daycare teacher has told me that snack time and lunch have become the best and most important times of day for her as a teacher because they are the only times where she can see the childrens' faces and communicate with them more freely. And she worries that the fact that they only see her in a mask makes it harder for them to connect to her and build relationships, and I feel confident that it must be true. Children this age are learning what it means to trust and relate to people, and wearing masks during that developmental stage is, I think, confusing and very inhibiting for them.

I would like to think that if cases drop to a low enough level, they would relax the mask requirement for very young children to address specifically this issue. But I have enough experience with DCPS to know that it is unlikely anyone will be conscientious enough to think about it from that perspective. I have resigned myself to my child wearing a mask at school until she is vaccinated. I don't want to have a battle over this and risk teachers refusing to come in over it. In person with masks is better than virtual, at least for PK. I am sadly at the "I'll take what I can get" phase.

[Anonymous]

My 4yo has worn a mask all school year, as have his classmates, and it has been completely easy and not an issue at all. The kids are used to it and many need to be reminded to remove their masks when they get in the car or arrive home. I can't imagine making a fuss about this. The WHO says masks shouldn't be REQUIRED for kids under 5 based in part on their ability to use a mask with minimal assistance. It doesn't say they shouldn't be worn.

[Anonymous]

This is a fight I'd be more willing to have if my kids' charter school would first indicate it'll be open 5 days a week in the fall with aftercare. I need to get over that hurdle first.

But yeah, I agree that masks for little kids is not necessary.

[Anonymous]

My first priority with letting people go unmasked would be the vaccinated caregivers of babies/toddlers, as well as vaccinated preschool teachers.

As far as PK kids - I was prepared for this to be a big deal, but my 4 year old was in camp last summer (when he was 3) and all the kids were pretty good at masking and really didn't seem to mind. And now he's back in school part-time and again, it doesn't seem to be an issue for them. When we go to playgrounds he complains more about having to wear a helmet to bike to the playground. I'd be fine with letting my kids go unmasked at playgrounds if they asked for it - I'm sometimes unmasked (although I'm also vaccinated), but they just really don't seem to care, and it seems this way with a lot of kids.

I wouldn't want small children kept out of school because they won't keep a mask on, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The WHO says masks shouldn't be REQUIRED for kids under 5 based in part on their ability to use a mask with minimal assistance. It doesn't say they shouldn't be worn.

This is incorrect. Here's the WHO's language:

Based on this and other factors such as childrens’ psychosocial needs and developmental milestones, WHO and UNICEF advise the following:

Children aged 5 years and under should not be required to wear masks. This is based on the safety and overall interest of the child and the capacity to appropriately use a mask with minimal assistance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don’t listen to the PP. it definitely is sad and depressing. My two year old still wears a diaper and a sleep sack for nap. She cries at the sight of the mask and I don’t blame her. A two year old doesn’t understand “my mask protects you your mask protects me” garbage. She doesn’t know who dr. Fauci is and doesn’t care about my neighbor’s “thank you Dr. Fauci” sign. The WHO is right on this.

There are many 2 year olds that fight diapers and yet, we ask they wear them until they can follow basic public health expectations and use the toilet.

Why is your child, who has been raised with masks far longer than he/she has been raised without masks, crying at the sight of something that should be completely normalized at this point? You think your personal view towards Dr. Fauci isn't responsible?

If what we need to open schools fully is masking, it's the last thing I'm going to worry about. Frankly, I think it keeps little kids fingers out of their mouths and noses which is impossible otherwise and good for a host of reasons.

Lol. We don’t need to mask 2-5 year olds to open schools safely. In fact, Virginia does not require masks under 5 and they aren’t stacking up toddler and teacher bodies so clearly it’s not necessary and is not harmless. Is it child abuse? No of course not. Should we critically question the utility of putting a child just learning to communicate in a mask? Yes we should. Also I have no problem with Dr. Fauci but think it’s weird that people idolize and romanticize him like now that he said he’s going to walk his dog without a mask my neighborhood suddenly has maskless dog walkers even though it’s just common sense that walking around your hood alone is not going to get anyone sick.

[Anonymous]

Where is the updated MoCo mask guidance? Here it still seems to say masks over 2 as of 4/29?

https://montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/face-coverings.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a fight I'd be more willing to have if my kids' charter school would first indicate it'll be open 5 days a week in the fall with aftercare. I need to get over that hurdle first.

But yeah, I agree that masks for little kids is not necessary.

I agree. I'm more concerned about my kid getting into the building than masks at this point. If masks let them get kids in the door, we will make it work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Toddlers learn empathy by reading facial expressions, so putting them in masks is not harmless.

It's not just my reading of the science, Google "world health organization kids masks" for yourself. The WHO guidance came out in August 2020, and for the life of me I don't know why the CDC hasn't even discussed it.

So it is harmful, and it's also accomplishing *nothing*! Toddlers don't spread the disease, and they don't get sick. They also aren't good at wearing masks?!

From what I can tell, DC and California are the only jurisdictions to require kids in masks. Maryland follows the WHO guidance, and while MoCo's mask order mirrored DC's, they've since removed the section for toddlers.

So, in terms of deference to medical authorities, Team "No masks on toddlers" has the WHO and 49 states, and pretty much the rest of the world on its side. The side suggesting masks on toddlers is DC Health and the CDC. And the CDC isn't pointing to any research or anything on toddlers. In the CDC's updated mask guidance, they completely omitted any consideration of toddlers. So, you can see why I find the balance of authority to be against masking toddlers.

Why do you keep saying "toddlers?"

My son is in PreK3, in person, and masking is a complete non-issue. He has a delightful day, made friends, loves his teachers, and is fully bonded with the group.

[Anonymous]

My four year old is quite happy to wear his mask, it means he gets to play with other kids and go to school. If anything, he's going to have a harder time adjusting to no masking.

However, I think kids with masks OUTDOORS in general is ready to go away. Indoors, not sure, I'm ok with it for now.

Agree with PP this isn't a hill to die on when we can't even get commitment to 5 days in person next fall.

[Anonymous]

It does bum me out that my 2 year old has to wear a mask at daycare. I want her and her friends to see each other's faces! And her teacher's!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Moco revised masks for under 5?

+1. Where have you seen that? My MoCo 5 yr old certainly was wearing his mask to school today and we haven't received any communication about them not being required.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It does bum me out that my 2 year old has to wear a mask at daycare. I want her and her friends to see each other's faces! And her teacher's!

Ok, but in the scheme of a global pandemic, that seems like a relatively trivial concern.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It does bum me out that my 2 year old has to wear a mask at daycare. I want her and her friends to see each other's faces! And her teacher's!

Ok, but in the scheme of a global pandemic, that seems like a relatively trivial concern.

it’s really not minimal. it’s important to not do things just for show because they feel safer. that’s how we got into this whole mess with schools closed.