ummm. NCS had several vaxxed middle schoolers with COVID right as break started. do any of the BVR students have older siblings? NCS has close to a 99% vaccination rate and have had no outbreaks until omicron showed up, only random cases here and there. That outbreak didn’t come from a school activity but it could’ve easily spread further especially with asymptomatic carriers if it had not been break. Of course we would all like to shed the masks but now is not the time. Who’s to say this can’t happen at BVR? All this to say that why not protect kids?? OP seems a bit out of touch with reality at this point.

I mean, post-lockdown in 2020 we had <10 daily cases per 100k pop. When vaccine rolled out in spring 2021 and before the Delta wave hit, we got case rates down to <1 per 100k pop. Recently, Delta got cases up to ~20 per 100k pop, and at the _worst_ of the pandemic to date (last winter's peak) we were at 60 per 100k pop.

Omnicron comes along and we're at 120 per 100k pop and climbing, despite ~80% of NoVa adults being vaccinated. Hospitalizations setting records as well. And throughout the process we've been learning more about what the most effective and important mitigation strategies are (including the relative importance of mask _types_), and now given the unprecedented case levels, they're making this recommendation. That is perfectly logical and reasonable, I don't understand why people are so opposed to this other than being driven by an emotional "but I don't waaaaaant to" response.

I have been wanting my middle schooler and Kinder kid to be able to get rid of their mask once they got vaccinated too. Specifically K kid as she has special speech needs. But come on lady, read the room. My Kinder kid loves her KF94 masks.

These kids are vaccinated as are their family members, teachers and staff. When can we stop treating 5 year olds like they are 85 yo cancer patients? When the surge is over can they get rid of the masks then? Yes under 5 can’t get vaxxed but that could be many months from now and they are the lowest risk. Has everyone lost their minds?

Anonymous wrote:OP here. My kids were really hoping to get rid of the masks once everyone was vaccinated. They were really happy to do it for this reason and now they need to wear a much worse masks to avoid getting a cold.

It’s ridiculous

Are they migrant children camping in the freezing woods because no country will take them in? This is not a real problem.

My favorite masks are KN95s from Evolve Together. They're by far the most comfortable I've found. Perhaps get on the notification list for the kids sizes to come back in stock?

https://evolvetogether.com/collections/kn95-masks

Anonymous wrote:BVR has infants through third grade. There are many children there who will not be eligible any time soon.

Not to mention kids age 12-15 are essentially treated as unvaxxed under new CDC guidance since many are six months post second dose (and not eligible for boosters). Mask up and quit whining, OP.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. My kids were really hoping to get rid of the masks once everyone was vaccinated. They were really happy to do it for this reason and now they need to wear a much worse masks to avoid getting a cold.

It’s ridiculous

You’re ridiculous. COVID is spreading exponentially. It would be outrageous for schools to drop masks at this particular time.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. My kids were really hoping to get rid of the masks once everyone was vaccinated. They were really happy to do it for this reason and now they need to wear a much worse masks to avoid getting a cold.

It’s ridiculous

Totally agree. This is insane.

Everyone has to wear masks anyway. Might as well wear a good one. Op, you sound like you haven’t bothered to try a kn95 or similar. They’re more comfortable than cloth masks. Frankly, they’re more comfortable than any mask. And it’s 2 1/2 weeks anyway.

Don’t make something out of nothing.

OP, this isn’t going away. It’s a pandemic. Kids get used to KN-94s. Buy a bunch of different types and sign up for the email alerts if they’re out of stock. Try wellbefore and Bonafide masks. We bought in bulk a week ago, and you can team up with other parents if you want to save a bit by buying in much larger quantities.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, OP… I don’t understand why this is an issue for you?

Because I think it’s ridiculous. All kids are now vaccinated. All parents are boostered. Omicron is contagious, but milder (described like a mild cold). When does it end?!?!?
I lost all my patience at this point.

Why is it only parents whine about masks? Also, it’s cute that you believe everyone is vaccinated. The vaccination rate is about 62%.

Why should my kid pay for the kids of idiot parents? Also, I thought student vaccination rate at BVR was at least 80% and since vaccination will be mandatory, we will get to 100% very soon

So first you say “everyone” is vaxxed but you believe the number to be 80%? That’s … not the same.

And you won’t get your 100% til the little kid vax is out and they can do a full mandate.

Classes actually DO mix in a way, because if a teacher hypothetically has two children in other classrooms in the same bldg and the teacher’s entire family unknowingly gets COVID (as mine did over the break), we have now contaminated three classrooms: the teacher’s, the teacher’s first child, and the teacher’s second child. And if there are carpools taking place that should not, well then..

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BVR has infants through third grade. There are many children there who will not be eligible any time soon.

Class don’t mix (ever)… everyone in my kids’ classes is 5+

No specials?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 11 year old wears a KF94, because there are no N95s for children. It is required for her youth orchestra rehearsals.

I assume your guidelines will actually allow a KF94, but you'll have to find the smallest size - look on Amazon for "KF94 4-8 years old", or something.

Our family has always found N95, KN95 and KF94 to be much more comfortable than fabric masks. My children have worn then for 12+ hours door-to-door for an international trip this summer. They are light and stay off the nose and mouth, which is great.

An 11 year old can wear some n95. Even with the rule, there have been a few positives.

You didn't read my added post, in which I said that my 11 year old is tiny, and fits into the child KF94s.