I’m a preschool teacher - sometimes I’ll take a sip of my water/coffee while the kids are in the room, but I make sure I’m over 6 feet away. I don’t eat until my break when I’m either outside or in a spare room by myself

I'm op. My child is at a half day preschool, and she told me the teacher took off her mask to eat in the room and have coffee during the day. I understand all day daycares are different, but I wasn't sure if it was the norm (during Covid that it is), for a teacher to take their mask off to eat when the day ends at 12:30.

Anonymous wrote:I’m a teacher in an open school. Several of us just don’t eat lunch, keeping our mask on the entire day. I’m pretty hungry when I get home, but it’s manageable. I’m not sure it’s a necessary step, but I *feel* better this way.

I teach MS and will skip lunch we we return in person.

I’m a teacher in an open school. Several of us just don’t eat lunch, keeping our mask on the entire day. I’m pretty hungry when I get home, but it’s manageable. I’m not sure it’s a necessary step, but I *feel* better this way.

Anonymous wrote:...as opposed to all the teachers (or at least half) going to a break room, taking their masks off and eating together there? Classrooms seem to be the safer choice between the two IMO.

Never happened pre-Covid at DC’s daycares. They always had staggered lunch times because of the required caregiver ratios.

...as opposed to all the teachers (or at least half) going to a break room, taking their masks off and eating together there? Classrooms seem to be the safer choice between the two IMO.

Of course they do. Kids have to take their mask off to eat too.

I know you’re concerned about transmission of Covid But just to keep things in perspective, they are spending anywhere from 6 a10 hours together a day, 5 days a week.

From the CDC site:

Individual who has had close contact (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more)
Exposure to

Person with COVID-19 who has symptoms (in the period from 2 days before symptom onset until they meet criteria for discontinuing home isolation; can be laboratory-confirmed or a clinically compatible illness)
Person who has tested positive for COVID-19 (laboratory confirmed) but has not had any symptoms (in the 2 days before the date of specimen collection until they meet criteria for discontinuing home isolation).
Note: This is irrespective of whether the person with COVID-19 or the contact was wearing a mask or whether the contact was wearing respiratory personal protective equipment (PPE)


Recommended Precautions for the Public

Stay home until 14 days after last exposure and maintain social distance (at least 6 feet) from others at all times

Do your daycare or preschool teachers take off their mask and eat with the kids? Do they eat in a separate room or at the same time with them? I am curious what the common practice is for teachers and their eating/drinking needs during the day with Covid concerns. Thanks.