Reminder: Mask Wearing for Children Is Mostly Necessary

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The pandemic has been challenging for everyone, and we all long for a return to normalcy. However, we are still navigating this public health crisis. Children under 12 are not yet eligible for vaccination, and allowing the virus to spread unchecked could lead to overwhelmed hospitals and unnecessary fatalities. Consequently, health organizations like the CDC have recommended universal indoor masking for schools this year.

This has led to some parents expressing strong opposition, with the “unmask our kids” movement gaining traction. Many are actively seeking exemptions from school mask mandates, prompting a surge in requests for doctors to provide notes that allow children to bypass mask-wearing rules. Reports indicate that some medical professionals are willing to oblige these requests, irrespective of whether the child has a legitimate medical reason.

However, it’s essential to note that very few medical conditions genuinely prevent a child from wearing a mask, even for extended periods like a school day. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), “Face masks can be safely worn by all children aged 2 years and older, including most children with underlying health issues, with rare exceptions.”

The Facebook page Dear Pandemic, run by a group of women with backgrounds in public health, outlines the limited circumstances under which a child might qualify for a mask exemption. These include:

  • Children under the age of two
  • A child unable to put on or take off a mask easily
  • A child who struggles to maintain a clean mask
  • A child with a medical condition or injury that makes mask-wearing harmful

The University of Vermont Children’s Hospital adds that children with developmental delays, limited mobility, or severe autism may also qualify for exemptions. However, this is a very short list compared to the numerous reasons parents cite for not wanting their children to wear masks.

Conditions such as allergies, anxiety, heart issues, brain disorders, blood disorders, cancer, and lung conditions do not exempt children from wearing masks, according to Dear Pandemic. If a child experiences breathing difficulties, such as during an asthma attack, they should remove their mask at that moment, but having the condition itself does not mean they cannot wear one. For children with communication differences, masks with clear mouthpieces can be a suitable alternative.

It’s crucial to dispel the myths surrounding mask-wearing. Claims that masks hinder breathing or cause oxygen deprivation have been disproven multiple times. The AAP has addressed these common misconceptions in detail.

I understand parental concerns; my own children were remote last year, and I worried about them wearing masks in school, especially my son who has asthma and anxiety. However, after a month back in school, neither has complained about their masks. In fact, they often forget they are even wearing them and are enjoying their time with friends.

Teachers have also shared that complaints about masks are rare among students; the concerns primarily stem from parents rather than the kids themselves. While no one claims that wearing a mask is enjoyable, the significant risk of not doing so means that masking is essential for keeping schools open and communities safe during this time.

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Summary

In summary, while concerns about mask-wearing in children persist, the medical consensus is that very few conditions warrant an exemption. Most children can safely wear masks, allowing schools to remain open and communities to stay protected during the pandemic.