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My child is safety conscious. She is five years old. She's a rule follower (for the most part). When she understands the reasons for safety measures she gets INTO them. She will wear a mask. But watching her mask wearing habits has me more terrified than ever about schools.
We live in a neighborhood where kids play in their front yards and tend to group up somewhat spontaneously. So our rule has been "masks on in the front yard." She will put on her mask before going out! She will politely ask other kids to get their masks! So far so good.
But she rubs her hands all over her mask AND THEN ALL OVER THE REST OF HER FACE AND HER EYES unless she's reminded not to. She wads up the mask in a tight ball when she takes it off, potentially spreading germs to the inner part that touches her mouth and nose.
She sucks the fabric of the mask into her mouth and chews on it absentmindedly... consequently completely soaking it and WET MASKS ARE NOT EFFECTIVE. I remind her not to do this and she listens attentively but then... sometimes she just forgets.
And all it takes is seeing ONE adult pull their mask down below their chin, and she's immediately emulating that behavior EVEN WHILE CRITICIZING IT. This, again, could be dragging and spreading germs or droplets.
This is a kid who is trying. This is a kid who respects the rules and wants to do her part to keep everyone safe. This is also in a (relatively) low risk situation. She's outside. She's also staying about 10 feet away from other kids 99% of the time.
This is not a kid who hates masks or wants to sneak out of wearing them. This is not a kid looking for ways to circumvent the rules (for the most part). This is not a kid who simply doesn't believe it's important.
If this is what is happening in my front yard, imagine what is going to happen in schools. First of all, when kids are indoors in groups and at times incapable of staying even 6ft apart, those "little mistakes" are going to count for WAY more, risk wise.
Second of all... my child is a UNICORN. I am not trying to say she's a perfect angel, believe me, she isn't. But kids come with a wide variety of personalities and you get them all in a classroom. Kids who hate rules. Kids who feel invincible. Kids who are bullies, etc etc.
I read this NPR piece about school reopening plans and I had to lay down... because they are totally unattainable with actual children. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/08/06/897295450/how-safe-is-your-schools-reopening-plan-here-s-what-to-look-for?fbclid=IwAR0AZarlM6cWXjjxJgeNbJTsZPSNgTcMObIOhlFt-lHNov9tkF_kbGkcqBw
Masks aren't the only issue, of course, but they are a HUGE issue. I read the reopening plan for one of the neighbor kid's schools. They're requiring first graders and above to only take their masks off for outdoor distanced breaks and eating...
Younger kids get to take them off for eating, outdoor time, and naps.
And that's just not going to be enforceable.
Kids are going to take off their damn masks. Kids are going to wear their masks in such a way as to make them useless (many of their parents have modeled this).
And that's just not going to be enforceable.
Kids are going to take off their damn masks. Kids are going to wear their masks in such a way as to make them useless (many of their parents have modeled this).
Bullies will take off their masks and dramatically fake cough at vulnerable kids. You know they will. Kids will take off their masks when they think the teacher isn't looking. Kids will TRADE MASKS. Masks will get chewed on and otherwise soaked (ewe).
And we haven't even gotten to older kids (and some younger kids!) taking their masks off to kiss.
And that combined with even the kids who WANT to comply making mistakes will greatly increase the risks overall.
And that combined with even the kids who WANT to comply making mistakes will greatly increase the risks overall.
I just feel like we're not, as a society, grappling with how totally absurd and nonsensical it is to do this. I *get* that school benefits a lot of kids and believe me, I WANTED to send my daughter to in person kindergarten this year.
But we cannot count on seven year olds to follow the stringent safety precautions. We can't even count on adults to do it! I watched a neighbor put on a mask to visit with someone on his porch and then PULL IT DOWN TO COUGH this weekend.
