Daycare mandating masks for 2+

[Anonymous]

This is completely insane. I’d rally other parents to push back and then leave if not successful.

During Covid I dealt with this by supplying masks that are a size too big and doing zero support or enforcement at home. From what I saw in photos, my kid ended up wearing what was essentially a chin guard that left their mouth and nose free - when they’d keep it on which is rarely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
There’s exactly ZERO medical evidence for forcing toddlers to mask up. ZERO.

In fact it can be harmful, due to insufficient oxygen.

Well, no, not that reason. But WHO specifically says kids 5 and under should not be required to mask.

Actually, that's not completely correct:

In general, children aged 5 years and under do not need to wear masks. However, there may be times when caregivers will choose to put a mask on a child – for example, if the child has contact with a person who is at a high risk of developing severe disease or is around someone who is ill. Children of this age should not wear masks for a long duration or without supervision.

You don't know if another adult or child has serious health issues in that school or classroom.

https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/q-a-children-and-masks-related-to-covid-19

It doesn't say that your toddler should mask if my toddler is close to someone with health issues. In that case, it's my responsibility to take precautions for my child.

Being exposed to typical germs -- in this case, a runny nose -- is how toddlers build their immune systems. Plus, many viruses aren't airborn and hand washing is more important.

[Anonymous]

I think it’s a good idea if the daycare is willing to enforce it. Less sick kids, less disruption.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
There’s exactly ZERO medical evidence for forcing toddlers to mask up. ZERO.

In fact it can be harmful, due to insufficient oxygen.

Well, no, not that reason. But WHO specifically says kids 5 and under should not be required to mask.

Actually, that's not completely correct:

In general, children aged 5 years and under do not need to wear masks. However, there may be times when caregivers will choose to put a mask on a child – for example, if the child has contact with a person who is at a high risk of developing severe disease or is around someone who is ill. Children of this age should not wear masks for a long duration or without supervision.

You don't know if another adult or child has serious health issues in that school or classroom.

https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/q-a-children-and-masks-related-to-covid-19

It doesn't say that your toddler should mask if my toddler is close to someone with health issues. In that case, it's my responsibility to take precautions for my child.

Being exposed to typical germs -- in this case, a runny nose -- is how toddlers build their immune systems. Plus, many viruses aren't airborn and hand washing is more important.

That’s actually not true. The last paragraph is incorrect. I’m sorry. Many viruses are airborne, and immune systems don’t need to be “built”, they simply ARE. Viruses bring damage, sometimes lasting, to us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
There’s exactly ZERO medical evidence for forcing toddlers to mask up. ZERO.

In fact it can be harmful, due to insufficient oxygen.

Well, no, not that reason. But WHO specifically says kids 5 and under should not be required to mask.

Actually, that's not completely correct:

In general, children aged 5 years and under do not need to wear masks. However, there may be times when caregivers will choose to put a mask on a child – for example, if the child has contact with a person who is at a high risk of developing severe disease or is around someone who is ill. Children of this age should not wear masks for a long duration or without supervision.

You don't know if another adult or child has serious health issues in that school or classroom.

https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/q-a-children-and-masks-related-to-covid-19

That's a choice versus a requirement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
There’s exactly ZERO medical evidence for forcing toddlers to mask up. ZERO.

In fact it can be harmful, due to insufficient oxygen.

Well, no, not that reason. But WHO specifically says kids 5 and under should not be required to mask.

Actually, that's not completely correct:

In general, children aged 5 years and under do not need to wear masks. However, there may be times when caregivers will choose to put a mask on a child – for example, if the child has contact with a person who is at a high risk of developing severe disease or is around someone who is ill. Children of this age should not wear masks for a long duration or without supervision.

You don't know if another adult or child has serious health issues in that school or classroom.

https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/q-a-children-and-masks-related-to-covid-19

Interesting choice of where you cut off bolding the text. You neglected to include "Children of this age should not wear masks for a long duration or without supervision."

If daycare workers workers are high risk and worried about covid, they should focus on wearing high-quality respirators themselves, not the futile effort of masking 2 year olds.

[Anonymous]

I run a daycare and even during Covid I did not mask the kids because it was pure theater. There was no way to effectively keep the masks on the kids and keep them healthy.

What kept the kids healthy was frequent handwashing, sanitization of surfaces and very strict exclusion policies for the sick kids. But the answer was never masking.

[Anonymous]

Two is too young for it to have any point.

And I'm on the cautious side - having my kids mask at school the week or two before holidays because we've had too many long distance family visits canceled due to illness in the last few years. But my youngest is now 5, he wouldn't have been able to wear it effectively any previous year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
There’s exactly ZERO medical evidence for forcing toddlers to mask up. ZERO.

In fact it can be harmful, due to insufficient oxygen.

Well, no, not that reason. But WHO specifically says kids 5 and under should not be required to mask.

Actually, that's not completely correct:

In general, children aged 5 years and under do not need to wear masks. However, there may be times when caregivers will choose to put a mask on a child – for example, if the child has contact with a person who is at a high risk of developing severe disease or is around someone who is ill. Children of this age should not wear masks for a long duration or without supervision.

You don't know if another adult or child has serious health issues in that school or classroom.

https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/q-a-children-and-masks-related-to-covid-19

It doesn't say that your toddler should mask if my toddler is close to someone with health issues. In that case, it's my responsibility to take precautions for my child.

Being exposed to typical germs -- in this case, a runny nose -- is how toddlers build their immune systems. Plus, many viruses aren't airborn and hand washing is more important.

That’s actually not true. The last paragraph is incorrect. I’m sorry. Many viruses are airborne, and immune systems don’t need to be “built”, they simply ARE. Viruses bring damage, sometimes lasting, to us.

Those things aren't mutually exclusive. The capabilities of your immune system grow over time in response to infections and vaccinations. And serious infections have the potential to cause damage (although much of it temporary).

[Anonymous]

It’s absurd and abusive and ineffective.

I’d absolutely find a new daycare (if the OP’s post is real).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We all masked during covid. 2 year olds can do and have. Lots of evidence it prevents illness. All that said this is really weird in 2024. I had to check the date on this thread.

Two-year-olds didn't effectively mask during covid.

[Anonymous]

This is definitely a troll guys.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is definitely a troll guys.

I wish that was clear. There are certainly some forever-maskers out there that want to bring back mandates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is definitely a troll guys.

OP here. Wish this was a troll here but nope, daycare actually wants kids to mask in 2024. I talked to them about it at drop off this morning and they said they won’t force her for now but we need to try.

Appreciate the sound advice here and will be looking into other options for childcare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is definitely a troll guys.

OP here. Wish this was a troll here but nope, daycare actually wants kids to mask in 2024. I talked to them about it at drop off this morning and they said they won’t force her for now but we need to try.

Appreciate the sound advice here and will be looking into other options for childcare.

That's insane

How are they not aware at this point that masking 2 year olds is pointless (and gross)?

I can only speak for my family but wearing a mask definitely caused issues for my child that got a lot better after the mask mandate ended. I agree with other posters to find other care.

Frankly, even if you are a troll, this is a reminder that neither the CDC nor the AAP have acknowledged any concerns about masking young children even as infectious disease experts like Michael Osterholm noted during the pandemic that:

- Children under age 7 generally don't wear masks well
- Cloth and surgical masks offer very little protection
- It is very hard to find respirators that fit young children well

In addition, it doesn't take a lot of Googling to find numerous studies showing that seeing faces is really important for social-emotional development. And there's no question kids who struggle with speech have a harder time learning when they can't see people's mouths.