Were people masked for outdoor drop-off at your DCPS today?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't wear a mask when picking up my daughter yesterday, after the announcement, and will never wear it for pickups again. Can't believe I had to participate in this theater for 2 years (and no, I'm not a troll, also fully vaccinated and boosted).
Asked my daughter (3d grade) if she wants to wear one outdoors now that she has a choice and she said "No way, it's so hot when I run. I liked it in winter though, it kept my mouth warm". I just reminded her to be respectful to other kids who choose to wear it.

You really didn't "have" to wear one at any time for pickup or drop off. I've not worn one outside like that in ages, and no one seems to give a damn. I've not been the only one. What are they going to do, tell you to leave and not take your kid with you?

Some of us are afraid of getting labeled anti-mask or as people who don't take Covid seriously, and that having consequences for our kids. That's literally the only reason I wear a mask for drop off/pick up at our school, where masking compliance has always been close to 100% (and still is, even with yesterdays announcement).

That's essentially the "I wear a mask so people won't think I'm a Republican" trope that was common last spring. I makes no sense and just perpetuates indefinite mask wearing for no scientific reason.

Yes but the complicating factor is the kids. I don't care if another adult thinks I'm a Republican or anti-mask or just a raging idiot -- I know I'm not any of those things and I already have friends and a nice life so it doesn't matter what they think of me.

But our school has a VERY performative progressive culture and a bunch of gossipy, judgmental teachers and parents. And they will 100% label families based on mask-wearing. What if my kid winds up with one of the really militant teachers next year? What if one of their friends had a parent who sees me without a mask and then says they can't go to my kid's birthday party. I hate that this is where I'm at but it is. I don't even know if we will be at this school next year or not (we are exploring options) but it's our neighborhood DCPS so I still need to play this stupid game for my kid's sake until the end of the year so as not to alienate other members of the community who might punish my child.

I think this sums it up well. I've already experienced teachers who ignore my child for whatever reason pre-covid (we changed schools because of it). I fully believe that the odd, paranoid teacher would take out their frustrations on my child. I hope not, but I've seen too many people being around the bend about covid fears.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't wear a mask when picking up my daughter yesterday, after the announcement, and will never wear it for pickups again. Can't believe I had to participate in this theater for 2 years (and no, I'm not a troll, also fully vaccinated and boosted).
Asked my daughter (3d grade) if she wants to wear one outdoors now that she has a choice and she said "No way, it's so hot when I run. I liked it in winter though, it kept my mouth warm". I just reminded her to be respectful to other kids who choose to wear it.

You really didn't "have" to wear one at any time for pickup or drop off. I've not worn one outside like that in ages, and no one seems to give a damn. I've not been the only one. What are they going to do, tell you to leave and not take your kid with you?

Some of us are afraid of getting labeled anti-mask or as people who don't take Covid seriously, and that having consequences for our kids. That's literally the only reason I wear a mask for drop off/pick up at our school, where masking compliance has always been close to 100% (and still is, even with yesterdays announcement).

People are not thinking about you. I mean this in a nice way. I have not worn a mask to pick up and drop of for a long time, some people do some people don't. Today was not different we all have comfort levels and respect other peoples. I try to take one with me incase I sense someone I am talking too is concerned or incase I decide to go to the supermarket. From a Democrat public health official.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't wear a mask when picking up my daughter yesterday, after the announcement, and will never wear it for pickups again. Can't believe I had to participate in this theater for 2 years (and no, I'm not a troll, also fully vaccinated and boosted).
Asked my daughter (3d grade) if she wants to wear one outdoors now that she has a choice and she said "No way, it's so hot when I run. I liked it in winter though, it kept my mouth warm". I just reminded her to be respectful to other kids who choose to wear it.

You really didn't "have" to wear one at any time for pickup or drop off. I've not worn one outside like that in ages, and no one seems to give a damn. I've not been the only one. What are they going to do, tell you to leave and not take your kid with you?

Some of us are afraid of getting labeled anti-mask or as people who don't take Covid seriously, and that having consequences for our kids. That's literally the only reason I wear a mask for drop off/pick up at our school, where masking compliance has always been close to 100% (and still is, even with yesterdays announcement).

People are not thinking about you. I mean this in a nice way. I have not worn a mask to pick up and drop of for a long time, some people do some people don't. Today was not different we all have comfort levels and respect other peoples. I try to take one with me incase I sense someone I am talking too is concerned or incase I decide to go to the supermarket. From a Democrat public health official.

That's your experience at your school. It is not universal. People at my school notice when someone is not masking and will comment on it. I have watched it happen. I would LOVE if everyone just minded their own businesses and though "well everyone can make this choice themselves." It's not the culture at our school. People are fearful and many people believe that if some members of the community don't mask, everyone is at risk. I disagree but I currently feel I am in the minority and I don't want to stick my neck out. I think masking outdoors is silly but it's also not that burdensome for me, so I do it. I feel differently about my child, who I think needs to go to school without a mask at some point, which is why we are exploring other school options in case this masking fervor doesn't die down before next school year.

[Anonymous]

I'm a teacher who wore mine to pick up my students in the AM - because I come out of the school, greet them, and then com back in. This might sound strange but taking the mask on and off repeatedly actually irritates the back of my ears more so for a quick in and out like that I wouldn't bother with it.

For recess duty I definitely plan to take a mask break.

[Anonymous]

For those celebrating their new opportunity to be outside maskless at drop off and recess, I’m happy for you if this was an important development.

That said, I’m not sure why, in the face of this new choice, you are not satisfied and now must pass judgment on those who are still masked. The claims that the masked are hysterical, unscientific wackos is grossly unnecessary.

My family will continue to mask out of caution to protect a child in our household who is fighting for their life. I shouldn’t need to justify our family’s choice to those choosing to unmask (a choice that I am respecting). Perhaps consider that people’s lives are sad and complicated in ways that you thankfully don’t have to experience. Leave me and my family be in peace with our choice and I will do the same for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a teacher who wore mine to pick up my students in the AM - because I come out of the school, greet them, and then com back in. This might sound strange but taking the mask on and off repeatedly actually irritates the back of my ears more so for a quick in and out like that I wouldn't bother with it.

For recess duty I definitely plan to take a mask break.

But cannot you just take it off for a moment to blow them all a big kiss and give them a big smile? They need it and I bet it will make you feel good!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a teacher who wore mine to pick up my students in the AM - because I come out of the school, greet them, and then com back in. This might sound strange but taking the mask on and off repeatedly actually irritates the back of my ears more so for a quick in and out like that I wouldn't bother with it.

For recess duty I definitely plan to take a mask break.

But cannot you just take it off for a moment to blow them all a big kiss and give them a big smile? They need it and I bet it will make you feel good!

Huh? You want me to smile and blow a kiss to the children in my classroom at pick up in the morning?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't wear a mask when picking up my daughter yesterday, after the announcement, and will never wear it for pickups again. Can't believe I had to participate in this theater for 2 years (and no, I'm not a troll, also fully vaccinated and boosted).
Asked my daughter (3d grade) if she wants to wear one outdoors now that she has a choice and she said "No way, it's so hot when I run. I liked it in winter though, it kept my mouth warm". I just reminded her to be respectful to other kids who choose to wear it.

You really didn't "have" to wear one at any time for pickup or drop off. I've not worn one outside like that in ages, and no one seems to give a damn. I've not been the only one. What are they going to do, tell you to leave and not take your kid with you?

Some of us are afraid of getting labeled anti-mask or as people who don't take Covid seriously, and that having consequences for our kids. That's literally the only reason I wear a mask for drop off/pick up at our school, where masking compliance has always been close to 100% (and still is, even with yesterdays announcement).

People are not thinking about you. I mean this in a nice way. I have not worn a mask to pick up and drop of for a long time, some people do some people don't. Today was not different we all have comfort levels and respect other peoples. I try to take one with me incase I sense someone I am talking too is concerned or incase I decide to go to the supermarket. From a Democrat public health official.

That's your experience at your school. It is not universal. People at my school notice when someone is not masking and will comment on it. I have watched it happen. I would LOVE if everyone just minded their own businesses and though "well everyone can make this choice themselves." It's not the culture at our school. People are fearful and many people believe that if some members of the community don't mask, everyone is at risk. I disagree but I currently feel I am in the minority and I don't want to stick my neck out. I think masking outdoors is silly but it's also not that burdensome for me, so I do it. I feel differently about my child, who I think needs to go to school without a mask at some point, which is why we are exploring other school options in case this masking fervor doesn't die down before next school year.

At DCPS the rule was that if you were on school property even outside, you were to wear a mask. Even though I thought it was stupid, it was the rule, so I followed it. The vast majority of parents at my WOTP elem school masked outside while on school property as well, I assume because it was the rule and we are supposed to be modelling to our young children that you follow the rules (as they are not old enough to make decisions on which rules are stupid and should not be followed).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Isn’t this personal choice? Why does matter if others were wearing their masks? This doesn’t affect you.

+1… I am so tired of people caring if people are wearing masks or not outside. There are much bigger issues in the world right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those celebrating their new opportunity to be outside maskless at drop off and recess, I’m happy for you if this was an important development.

That said, I’m not sure why, in the face of this new choice, you are not satisfied and now must pass judgment on those who are still masked. The claims that the masked are hysterical, unscientific wackos is grossly unnecessary.

My family will continue to mask out of caution to protect a child in our household who is fighting for their life. I shouldn’t need to justify our family’s choice to those choosing to unmask (a choice that I am respecting). Perhaps consider that people’s lives are sad and complicated in ways that you thankfully don’t have to experience. Leave me and my family be in peace with our choice and I will do the same for you.

I’m sorry you have to deal with this. My nephew has cancer and it is so disheartening to see how judgmental people are about wearing masks when they have no clue what the story is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn’t this personal choice? Why does matter if others were wearing their masks? This doesn’t affect you.

+1… I am so tired of people caring if people are wearing masks or not outside. There are much bigger issues in the world right now.

Right, there are babies dying somewhere, so no one should care if kids all unmask right now. 100% agree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a teacher who wore mine to pick up my students in the AM - because I come out of the school, greet them, and then com back in. This might sound strange but taking the mask on and off repeatedly actually irritates the back of my ears more so for a quick in and out like that I wouldn't bother with it.

For recess duty I definitely plan to take a mask break.

But cannot you just take it off for a moment to blow them all a big kiss and give them a big smile? They need it and I bet it will make you feel good!

Huh? You want me to smile and blow a kiss to the children in my classroom at pick up in the morning?

For some reason I think you are elementary and the kids would love it, but like a normal happy teacher let the kids see you smile for the first time in ages, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those celebrating their new opportunity to be outside maskless at drop off and recess, I’m happy for you if this was an important development.

That said, I’m not sure why, in the face of this new choice, you are not satisfied and now must pass judgment on those who are still masked. The claims that the masked are hysterical, unscientific wackos is grossly unnecessary.

My family will continue to mask out of caution to protect a child in our household who is fighting for their life. I shouldn’t need to justify our family’s choice to those choosing to unmask (a choice that I am respecting). Perhaps consider that people’s lives are sad and complicated in ways that you thankfully don’t have to experience. Leave me and my family be in peace with our choice and I will do the same for you.

I’m sorry you have to deal with this. My nephew has cancer and it is so disheartening to see how judgmental people are about wearing masks when they have no clue what the story is.

No one should be harassed for choosing to wear a mask, but please remember that kids with hearing and speech impediments have been forced to mask for two years, which also was a huge challenge for them, and no one cared a bit about those challenges because the masks were The Science (LOL).

Of course, the US has been an outlier in the world with regard to masking children. Most places did not do this to very young children during the pandemic, even before vaccinations were available. And now our city is refusing to follow the CDC and keeping kids masked at school indoors, many people are at their breaking point with masks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't wear a mask when picking up my daughter yesterday, after the announcement, and will never wear it for pickups again. Can't believe I had to participate in this theater for 2 years (and no, I'm not a troll, also fully vaccinated and boosted).
Asked my daughter (3d grade) if she wants to wear one outdoors now that she has a choice and she said "No way, it's so hot when I run. I liked it in winter though, it kept my mouth warm". I just reminded her to be respectful to other kids who choose to wear it.

You really didn't "have" to wear one at any time for pickup or drop off. I've not worn one outside like that in ages, and no one seems to give a damn. I've not been the only one. What are they going to do, tell you to leave and not take your kid with you?

Some of us are afraid of getting labeled anti-mask or as people who don't take Covid seriously, and that having consequences for our kids. That's literally the only reason I wear a mask for drop off/pick up at our school, where masking compliance has always been close to 100% (and still is, even with yesterdays announcement).

That's essentially the "I wear a mask so people won't think I'm a Republican" trope that was common last spring. I makes no sense and just perpetuates indefinite mask wearing for no scientific reason.

Yes but the complicating factor is the kids. I don't care if another adult thinks I'm a Republican or anti-mask or just a raging idiot -- I know I'm not any of those things and I already have friends and a nice life so it doesn't matter what they think of me.

But our school has a VERY performative progressive culture and a bunch of gossipy, judgmental teachers and parents. And they will 100% label families based on mask-wearing. What if my kid winds up with one of the really militant teachers next year? What if one of their friends had a parent who sees me without a mask and then says they can't go to my kid's birthday party. I hate that this is where I'm at but it is. I don't even know if we will be at this school next year or not (we are exploring options) but it's our neighborhood DCPS so I still need to play this stupid game for my kid's sake until the end of the year so as not to alienate other members of the community who might punish my child.

Follow the science, not your weirdly paranoid feelings

My read is the PP is in agreement with us about droppign the masks, but there's fear about her/his kid being bullied by crazy loons at school. I know the feeling, and I probably DGAF to a greater extent. I get the group-think from the progressive parents in DC, though. I used to live in the South, and it's a lot like the fundie nut-jobs down there.

The poster of the initial quoted message here. Yes, I knew I could have ditched the mask earlier as a parent picking up a child. As silly as it sounds, I think I wore it kind of out of respect for the kids on the field and playground around the school who had no choice but to wear it. Now they have a choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't wear a mask when picking up my daughter yesterday, after the announcement, and will never wear it for pickups again. Can't believe I had to participate in this theater for 2 years (and no, I'm not a troll, also fully vaccinated and boosted).
Asked my daughter (3d grade) if she wants to wear one outdoors now that she has a choice and she said "No way, it's so hot when I run. I liked it in winter though, it kept my mouth warm". I just reminded her to be respectful to other kids who choose to wear it.

You really didn't "have" to wear one at any time for pickup or drop off. I've not worn one outside like that in ages, and no one seems to give a damn. I've not been the only one. What are they going to do, tell you to leave and not take your kid with you?

Some of us are afraid of getting labeled anti-mask or as people who don't take Covid seriously, and that having consequences for our kids. That's literally the only reason I wear a mask for drop off/pick up at our school, where masking compliance has always been close to 100% (and still is, even with yesterdays announcement).

That's essentially the "I wear a mask so people won't think I'm a Republican" trope that was common last spring. I makes no sense and just perpetuates indefinite mask wearing for no scientific reason.

Yes but the complicating factor is the kids. I don't care if another adult thinks I'm a Republican or anti-mask or just a raging idiot -- I know I'm not any of those things and I already have friends and a nice life so it doesn't matter what they think of me.

But our school has a VERY performative progressive culture and a bunch of gossipy, judgmental teachers and parents. And they will 100% label families based on mask-wearing. What if my kid winds up with one of the really militant teachers next year? What if one of their friends had a parent who sees me without a mask and then says they can't go to my kid's birthday party. I hate that this is where I'm at but it is. I don't even know if we will be at this school next year or not (we are exploring options) but it's our neighborhood DCPS so I still need to play this stupid game for my kid's sake until the end of the year so as not to alienate other members of the community who might punish my child.

Follow the science, not your weirdly paranoid feelings

DP. It's not paranoia if there are actually teachers who post about parents' lack of mask-wearing on Twitter.