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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 5 year old has been wearing mask for almost a year every day at daycare for 9-10 hours except lunch & recess. My 2 year old is going to daycare, and I am sending her with mask, and the director tell me that they understand the mask policy on top of stranger/separation anxiety of young age newbies. It is not strictly enforced if my 2 year old is not going to cooperate every day and they are accommodating (but still try to enforce the policy), they tell me upfront about it. But, for 4 or 5 year old, I think they are more strictly enforced at this daycare because they are older.

This sounds like good parenting. Good for you.

I feel bad for the kids who quake with fear when they see masks. Their parents must be doing a poor job of parenting.

[Anonymous]

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.

Go away qanon nut job. Your political insanity has ruined your brain.

[Anonymous]

Kids don’t mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Sorry, your equating closing schools and your kid's inability to see friend's and teacher's faces is absurd. The former really impedes social, emotional, and academic development. The latter is kind of a pain.

And it isn't just for show. It is safer, even if risks are relatively low for kid's that age. But, when a relatively minor inconvenience can provide a real, even if minor, safety benefit, it should be a no brainer to do it.

It’s not relatively minor, though. And there’s no evidence it provides any benefit outside. Every minute teachers and schools have to worry about mask policies is a minute they can’t spend doing something more productive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kids don’t mind.

I get really tired of this argument, as well as "kids are resilient!"

Yes, it is true that kids get used to rules much quicker than adult, generally put up less resilience (even the recalcitrant toddler is usually more compliant about most things than an adult would be in the same situation), and seem to adapt really well in the long term.

But that's not the same as saying "kids don't mind" or that this stuff has no impact on them. It was the same with virtual school for early learnings -- you get these people saying "Oh, my kid is fine with it, stop complaining." Just because you have a compliant child who does what they are told to do does not mean it's good for them. If you told a small child that they should ride around in the front seat of the car without a seatbelt, and that this was the best and safest way for them to be in a car, they would accept it and do it unquestionably. But you and I both know that would be really dangerous. Kid's don't know.

So yeah, we've been telling small kids for over a year that wearing a mask is important for safety and health and that they have to do it because it's the rule. So of course many of them "don't mind." That doesn't mean there are no negative consequences have having 3, 4 and 5 year olds wear masks at school for a year or more, during a time when they are learning basic social awareness, etiquette, emotion management, etc.

That's why it's up to us to do what is best for these children. Because they don't know! They are very young and need our guidance.

[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.

Go away qanon nut job. Your political insanity has ruined your brain.

I have to laugh because I'm actually a registered dem who voted for biden. that doesn't mean i dont think he should ditch the double mask outside or that two year olds really shouldnt be forced to wear masks ESP outside like they are in moco.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Sorry, your equating closing schools and your kid's inability to see friend's and teacher's faces is absurd. The former really impedes social, emotional, and academic development. The latter is kind of a pain.

And it isn't just for show. It is safer, even if risks are relatively low for kid's that age. But, when a relatively minor inconvenience can provide a real, even if minor, safety benefit, it should be a no brainer to do it.

It’s not relatively minor, though. And there’s no evidence it provides any benefit outside. Every minute teachers and schools have to worry about mask policies is a minute they can’t spend doing something more productive.

That's a massive goalpost shift. We were talking about daycare, not the limited amount of time a kid in daycare is outside. If you want to argue that masks shouldn't be required while the kids are outside, you have more of a leg to stand on.

[Anonymous]

TODLERS ARE NOT IN PRE K!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Sorry, your equating closing schools and your kid's inability to see friend's and teacher's faces is absurd. The former really impedes social, emotional, and academic development. The latter is kind of a pain.

And it isn't just for show. It is safer, even if risks are relatively low for kid's that age. But, when a relatively minor inconvenience can provide a real, even if minor, safety benefit, it should be a no brainer to do it.

It’s not relatively minor, though. And there’s no evidence it provides any benefit outside. Every minute teachers and schools have to worry about mask policies is a minute they can’t spend doing something more productive.

That's a massive goalpost shift. We were talking about daycare, not the limited amount of time a kid in daycare is outside. If you want to argue that masks shouldn't be required while the kids are outside, you have more of a leg to stand on.

No masks for under 5 at recess or whatever equivalent for 2-3s would be an excellent place to start. Let's do that immediately. My kids used to get outdoor masks breaks at the beginning of the year until moco shut that down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Go away qanon nut job. Your political insanity has ruined your brain.

I have to laugh because I'm actually a registered dem who voted for biden. that doesn't mean i dont think he should ditch the double mask outside or that two year olds really shouldnt be forced to wear masks ESP outside like they are in moco.

Yeah, the widespread belief that anyone who doesn’t subscribe to every aspect of Covid dogma is a qanon nut job is ridiculous. People are incapable of nuance on this issue, it’s troubling to watch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Sorry, your equating closing schools and your kid's inability to see friend's and teacher's faces is absurd. The former really impedes social, emotional, and academic development. The latter is kind of a pain.

And it isn't just for show. It is safer, even if risks are relatively low for kid's that age. But, when a relatively minor inconvenience can provide a real, even if minor, safety benefit, it should be a no brainer to do it.

It’s not relatively minor, though. And there’s no evidence it provides any benefit outside. Every minute teachers and schools have to worry about mask policies is a minute they can’t spend doing something more productive.

That's a massive goalpost shift. We were talking about daycare, not the limited amount of time a kid in daycare is outside. If you want to argue that masks shouldn't be required while the kids are outside, you have more of a leg to stand on.

No masks for under 5 at recess or whatever equivalent for 2-3s would be an excellent place to start. Let's do that immediately. My kids used to get outdoor masks breaks at the beginning of the year until moco shut that down.

I'd expand that to all of elementary school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Sorry, your equating closing schools and your kid's inability to see friend's and teacher's faces is absurd. The former really impedes social, emotional, and academic development. The latter is kind of a pain.

And it isn't just for show. It is safer, even if risks are relatively low for kid's that age. But, when a relatively minor inconvenience can provide a real, even if minor, safety benefit, it should be a no brainer to do it.

It’s not relatively minor, though. And there’s no evidence it provides any benefit outside. Every minute teachers and schools have to worry about mask policies is a minute they can’t spend doing something more productive.

That's a massive goalpost shift. We were talking about daycare, not the limited amount of time a kid in daycare is outside. If you want to argue that masks shouldn't be required while the kids are outside, you have more of a leg to stand on.

No masks for under 5 at recess or whatever equivalent for 2-3s would be an excellent place to start. Let's do that immediately. My kids used to get outdoor masks breaks at the beginning of the year until moco shut that down.

I'd expand that to all of elementary school.

Agree. Especially because it's going to get really hot really soon. For summer camps, it would also be great if DC could officially end the mask requirement for kids outside.

[Anonymous]

The battle I'd choose at this moment would be the 3ft rule despite masks. Keeping them apart is even more detrimental. At least masks will decrease other viral infections which will make us freak out and mandate them to leave school until they have a negative test etc etc (which as a parent I read: schlepping them to more doctors appointments and missing work). We have to choose our battles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

It's a colloquial use of the term. Some people use it to indicate children 4 and under, much in the same way that some people use "a couple of" to mean what I would call several, more than two.

Those people are not correct. My 3 year old is not developmentally similar to a toddler anymore. And fwiw if someone said "a couple" and meant more than two j would think that person was an idiot.

[Anonymous]

Yeah dc moms who want to make up which guidelines to follow.

If only we didn’t have to wear shoes to school. My son would love that. He hates wearing shoes but he had to learn to do that to be part of a public school system.

He also doesn’t like to wear pants. Shirts for days but no pants.

I don’t think there are cdc or who guidelines on that.

It makes him uncomfortable so let me rage on DCPS not for keeping schools closed but for keeping them open in a way I don’t like.

Science science yeah calm the f down