Which preschools have gone mask optional?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's so nonsensical to say preschool children are recommended to mask because they are unvaccinated, when this same recommendation doesn't apply to older children or adults who choose remain unvaccinated. I swear to God, we really hate young children in this county.

Stop with the hysterics.

DP but I don't think it sounds hysterical at all. It's 100% true that the under fives have been given the worst of the restrictions by far with no end in sight at some daycares/preschools.

I'm sorry but saying the under fives require a mask because they can't be vaccinated and then having them have no mask during a 1-2 hour nap plus lunch and snacks is just plain dumb and makes no logical sense at all. So yes, it does very much seem like the county seems to want to punish this age group continually. A young child wearing a mask during a critical time of language learning is detrimental. Studies are coming out slowly but they are coming out and it's not good. So yeah-Not hysterical in my opinion.

+1

Any benefit to masking preschoolers is theoretical and marginal at best. If we’re actually concerned about community transmission and protecting vulnerable people, this isn’t the group/venue to target.

I agree, but now parents have seem to have bought into the you-must-protect-your-kids-until-they-are-vaccinated line. At our daycare anyway. I don’t get it, but observation tells me I am in the extreme minority not sending my 2yo in with a mask now that it’s no longer required. The rest are still even wearing them outside!

I am the first PP above. I think more will unmask over time. I saw a few more unmasked faces at the end of the week than I did three days earlier. Unfortunately there is a good chance there will be another surge and they will require the masks once again, which will be kind of stupid since the BA2 sub variant is almost as infectious as the measles and these cloth masks that all the kids at our daycare are wearing are not going to help one tiny bit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LAA just announced April 1!! I have no faith they won't reinstitute when cases inevitably go up but will take the win for now.

Columbia Baptist optional too.

I'm an LAA parent and they absolutely should reinstate masks when cases go back up. I will wholeheartedly back them up on that.

And I will wholeheartedly oppose it. You'll win, of course, since intellectual curiosity is not on your or LAA's side. You can continue to mask your kid with a facial decoration indefinitely since cases will never be at zero and probably never be lower than they are RIGHT NOW.

If LAA's policies are so distressing to you, you are welcome to move your child(ren) to a different school, you know. That will open up a spot for a family who would love to be at LAA.

Not distressing, just pointing out that while you'll support re-muzzling, I'll oppose it. Actually, that's a lie - it IS distressing. It's distressing how incompetent people, not just LAA, are at recognizing the punitive measures of masking and their near zero efficacy at preventing transmission in a child care setting. With that said, we both know finding child care is incredibly difficult, so moving isn't THAT easy. Nor is it easy to find a place in Arlington that has any intellectual curiosity or leadership on this issue, minus the Catholics. So, I'll keep my kid at LAA and will continue to be outspoken, just as you are. Apparently there is a vocal likely minority of LAA parents who agree with me, or else they never would have made the switch without any new information available to them - as compared to a week ago when they doubled down on masking.

Another LAA parent here who has spoken up in support of masks optional. And who will be sending my child without a mask on April 1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's so nonsensical to say preschool children are recommended to mask because they are unvaccinated, when this same recommendation doesn't apply to older children or adults who choose remain unvaccinated. I swear to God, we really hate young children in this county.

Stop with the hysterics.

DP but I don't think it sounds hysterical at all. It's 100% true that the under fives have been given the worst of the restrictions by far with no end in sight at some daycares/preschools.

I'm sorry but saying the under fives require a mask because they can't be vaccinated and then having them have no mask during a 1-2 hour nap plus lunch and snacks is just plain dumb and makes no logical sense at all. So yes, it does very much seem like the county seems to want to punish this age group continually. A young child wearing a mask during a critical time of language learning is detrimental. Studies are coming out slowly but they are coming out and it's not good. So yeah-Not hysterical in my opinion.

+1

Any benefit to masking preschoolers is theoretical and marginal at best. If we’re actually concerned about community transmission and protecting vulnerable people, this isn’t the group/venue to target.

I agree, but now parents have seem to have bought into the you-must-protect-your-kids-until-they-are-vaccinated line. At our daycare anyway. I don’t get it, but observation tells me I am in the extreme minority not sending my 2yo in with a mask now that it’s no longer required. The rest are still even wearing them outside!

I am the first PP above. I think more will unmask over time. I saw a few more unmasked faces at the end of the week than I did three days earlier. Unfortunately there is a good chance there will be another surge and they will require the masks once again, which will be kind of stupid since the BA2 sub variant is almost as infectious as the measles and these cloth masks that all the kids at our daycare are wearing are not going to help one tiny bit.

Yeah I think I was just surprised. My sister lives in the Boston burbs, a very blue area, and her daycare dropped the mask requirement the week before and she said only a couple kids were still wearing them. Just the total opposite of ours. If anything I'm just happy to give them a break while cases are low because as you say I don't necessarily think it will last.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's so nonsensical to say preschool children are recommended to mask because they are unvaccinated, when this same recommendation doesn't apply to older children or adults who choose remain unvaccinated. I swear to God, we really hate young children in this county.

Stop with the hysterics.

DP but I don't think it sounds hysterical at all. It's 100% true that the under fives have been given the worst of the restrictions by far with no end in sight at some daycares/preschools.

I'm sorry but saying the under fives require a mask because they can't be vaccinated and then having them have no mask during a 1-2 hour nap plus lunch and snacks is just plain dumb and makes no logical sense at all. So yes, it does very much seem like the county seems to want to punish this age group continually. A young child wearing a mask during a critical time of language learning is detrimental. Studies are coming out slowly but they are coming out and it's not good. So yeah-Not hysterical in my opinion.

+1

Any benefit to masking preschoolers is theoretical and marginal at best. If we’re actually concerned about community transmission and protecting vulnerable people, this isn’t the group/venue to target.

I will just add that if you look at the CDC website, the number of cases among 0-4 year olds have consistently been lower than most other age groups including school-age children and adolescents, including during the omicron surge. I really can't even with DHHS. This idea that that toddlers and preschoolers are still recommended to mask because they are "unvaccinated" (when no other age group faces this recommendation) looks very clearly to me to be a gift to preschool and daycare directors that want a reason to tell families to continue masking their kids. This is NOT about public health and Dr. Bridgers and Dr. Stoddard should be ashamed of themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's so nonsensical to say preschool children are recommended to mask because they are unvaccinated, when this same recommendation doesn't apply to older children or adults who choose remain unvaccinated. I swear to God, we really hate young children in this county.

Stop with the hysterics.

DP but I don't think it sounds hysterical at all. It's 100% true that the under fives have been given the worst of the restrictions by far with no end in sight at some daycares/preschools.

I'm sorry but saying the under fives require a mask because they can't be vaccinated and then having them have no mask during a 1-2 hour nap plus lunch and snacks is just plain dumb and makes no logical sense at all. So yes, it does very much seem like the county seems to want to punish this age group continually. A young child wearing a mask during a critical time of language learning is detrimental. Studies are coming out slowly but they are coming out and it's not good. So yeah-Not hysterical in my opinion.

+1

Any benefit to masking preschoolers is theoretical and marginal at best. If we’re actually concerned about community transmission and protecting vulnerable people, this isn’t the group/venue to target.

I will just add that if you look at the CDC website, the number of cases among 0-4 year olds have consistently been lower than most other age groups including school-age children and adolescents, including during the omicron surge. I really can't even with DHHS. This idea that that toddlers and preschoolers are still recommended to mask because they are "unvaccinated" (when no other age group faces this recommendation) looks very clearly to me to be a gift to preschool and daycare directors that want a reason to tell families to continue masking their kids. This is NOT about public health and Dr. Bridgers and Dr. Stoddard should be ashamed of themselves.

Well said. I emailed my director recently and will email Dr bridger today. This is nuts and will not change unless parents are vocal about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's so nonsensical to say preschool children are recommended to mask because they are unvaccinated, when this same recommendation doesn't apply to older children or adults who choose remain unvaccinated. I swear to God, we really hate young children in this county.

Stop with the hysterics.

DP but I don't think it sounds hysterical at all. It's 100% true that the under fives have been given the worst of the restrictions by far with no end in sight at some daycares/preschools.

I'm sorry but saying the under fives require a mask because they can't be vaccinated and then having them have no mask during a 1-2 hour nap plus lunch and snacks is just plain dumb and makes no logical sense at all. So yes, it does very much seem like the county seems to want to punish this age group continually. A young child wearing a mask during a critical time of language learning is detrimental. Studies are coming out slowly but they are coming out and it's not good. So yeah-Not hysterical in my opinion.

+1

Any benefit to masking preschoolers is theoretical and marginal at best. If we’re actually concerned about community transmission and protecting vulnerable people, this isn’t the group/venue to target.

I will just add that if you look at the CDC website, the number of cases among 0-4 year olds have consistently been lower than most other age groups including school-age children and adolescents, including during the omicron surge. I really can't even with DHHS. This idea that that toddlers and preschoolers are still recommended to mask because they are "unvaccinated" (when no other age group faces this recommendation) looks very clearly to me to be a gift to preschool and daycare directors that want a reason to tell families to continue masking their kids. This is NOT about public health and Dr. Bridgers and Dr. Stoddard should be ashamed of themselves.

Well said. I emailed my director recently and will email Dr bridger today. This is nuts and will not change unless parents are vocal about it.

Bridgers has no authority over child care centers and preschools. MSDE does, and they said kids don't need to wear masks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's so nonsensical to say preschool children are recommended to mask because they are unvaccinated, when this same recommendation doesn't apply to older children or adults who choose remain unvaccinated. I swear to God, we really hate young children in this county.

Stop with the hysterics.

DP but I don't think it sounds hysterical at all. It's 100% true that the under fives have been given the worst of the restrictions by far with no end in sight at some daycares/preschools.

I'm sorry but saying the under fives require a mask because they can't be vaccinated and then having them have no mask during a 1-2 hour nap plus lunch and snacks is just plain dumb and makes no logical sense at all. So yes, it does very much seem like the county seems to want to punish this age group continually. A young child wearing a mask during a critical time of language learning is detrimental. Studies are coming out slowly but they are coming out and it's not good. So yeah-Not hysterical in my opinion.

+1

Any benefit to masking preschoolers is theoretical and marginal at best. If we’re actually concerned about community transmission and protecting vulnerable people, this isn’t the group/venue to target.

I will just add that if you look at the CDC website, the number of cases among 0-4 year olds have consistently been lower than most other age groups including school-age children and adolescents, including during the omicron surge. I really can't even with DHHS. This idea that that toddlers and preschoolers are still recommended to mask because they are "unvaccinated" (when no other age group faces this recommendation) looks very clearly to me to be a gift to preschool and daycare directors that want a reason to tell families to continue masking their kids. This is NOT about public health and Dr. Bridgers and Dr. Stoddard should be ashamed of themselves.

Well said. I emailed my director recently and will email Dr bridger today. This is nuts and will not change unless parents are vocal about it.

Bridgers has no authority over child care centers and preschools. MSDE does, and they said kids don't need to wear masks.

But doesn’t DHHS have some say over quarantines and exclusionary symptoms? Ours is still excluding for runny noses, and applying 10 day quarantines.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's so nonsensical to say preschool children are recommended to mask because they are unvaccinated, when this same recommendation doesn't apply to older children or adults who choose remain unvaccinated. I swear to God, we really hate young children in this county.

Stop with the hysterics.

DP but I don't think it sounds hysterical at all. It's 100% true that the under fives have been given the worst of the restrictions by far with no end in sight at some daycares/preschools.

I'm sorry but saying the under fives require a mask because they can't be vaccinated and then having them have no mask during a 1-2 hour nap plus lunch and snacks is just plain dumb and makes no logical sense at all. So yes, it does very much seem like the county seems to want to punish this age group continually. A young child wearing a mask during a critical time of language learning is detrimental. Studies are coming out slowly but they are coming out and it's not good. So yeah-Not hysterical in my opinion.

+1

Any benefit to masking preschoolers is theoretical and marginal at best. If we’re actually concerned about community transmission and protecting vulnerable people, this isn’t the group/venue to target.

I will just add that if you look at the CDC website, the number of cases among 0-4 year olds have consistently been lower than most other age groups including school-age children and adolescents, including during the omicron surge. I really can't even with DHHS. This idea that that toddlers and preschoolers are still recommended to mask because they are "unvaccinated" (when no other age group faces this recommendation) looks very clearly to me to be a gift to preschool and daycare directors that want a reason to tell families to continue masking their kids. This is NOT about public health and Dr. Bridgers and Dr. Stoddard should be ashamed of themselves.

Well said. I emailed my director recently and will email Dr bridger today. This is nuts and will not change unless parents are vocal about it.

Bridgers has no authority over child care centers and preschools. MSDE does, and they said kids don't need to wear masks.

But doesn’t DHHS have some say over quarantines and exclusionary symptoms? Ours is still excluding for runny noses, and applying 10 day quarantines.

Our daycare went mask optional this week but I kept the mask on DD because she is slightly stuffy. If it was a full blown cold I’d keep her home, but it’s not and rapid covid test is negative. But much less likely to get a call from the daycare about it with a mask on. I think masking when you have a cold would actually be a good use of masks going forward.

But once she’s totally symptom free we will ditch the mask.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's so nonsensical to say preschool children are recommended to mask because they are unvaccinated, when this same recommendation doesn't apply to older children or adults who choose remain unvaccinated. I swear to God, we really hate young children in this county.

Stop with the hysterics.

DP but I don't think it sounds hysterical at all. It's 100% true that the under fives have been given the worst of the restrictions by far with no end in sight at some daycares/preschools.

I'm sorry but saying the under fives require a mask because they can't be vaccinated and then having them have no mask during a 1-2 hour nap plus lunch and snacks is just plain dumb and makes no logical sense at all. So yes, it does very much seem like the county seems to want to punish this age group continually. A young child wearing a mask during a critical time of language learning is detrimental. Studies are coming out slowly but they are coming out and it's not good. So yeah-Not hysterical in my opinion.

+1

Any benefit to masking preschoolers is theoretical and marginal at best. If we’re actually concerned about community transmission and protecting vulnerable people, this isn’t the group/venue to target.

I will just add that if you look at the CDC website, the number of cases among 0-4 year olds have consistently been lower than most other age groups including school-age children and adolescents, including during the omicron surge. I really can't even with DHHS. This idea that that toddlers and preschoolers are still recommended to mask because they are "unvaccinated" (when no other age group faces this recommendation) looks very clearly to me to be a gift to preschool and daycare directors that want a reason to tell families to continue masking their kids. This is NOT about public health and Dr. Bridgers and Dr. Stoddard should be ashamed of themselves.

Well said. I emailed my director recently and will email Dr bridger today. This is nuts and will not change unless parents are vocal about it.

Bridgers has no authority over child care centers and preschools. MSDE does, and they said kids don't need to wear masks.

Well that's their whole schtick. "it's just a recommendation! It's not our fault of providers follow it!"

[Anonymous]

Our daycare is taking the position that masks are not required but are "strongly encouraged." Strongly encouraged here appears to be the teachers telling the kids that they have to wear masks. One girl's parents sent her in without a mask and every day the teacher makes her go to the front desk and get a mask. It's kinda BS that they send one message to the parents but they are doing something completely different in the classroom.