Very annoyed at U Turn

Year 7 can be part of a Middle School, which may be classed as Primary.
The advice keeps changing all the time because the nature of this virus in not properly understood, and the prime aim is to keep people safe. Surly that must be the guiding principle ?

Studies are now showing that children over the age of 12 are not invincible to covid 19 and that there has been an increase in the number of young people suffering from it.

According to the WHO 15% of the cases emerging between late February and mid July were aged between 15 and 24. Prior to late February the number was 4.5%.

Even if the symptoms of young sufferers are relatively mild we do not know the full extent of the after effects. IMO masks should be worn by children aged 12 and over at all schools, not just those in areas of lockdown. I would go further and say that everybody should wear masks whilst in indoor public spaces, including shops, bars etc. This virus is not going away any time soon and, I'm sure that most of you know, it's now on the increase.

It's more about the risk of it being passed on to people who may have far more serious problems with the virus.

I really hope a close check will be kept on the numbers of cases, and fast action taken, if necessary.

Some children will dislike wearing face masks or will, for various reasons, have problems with them.

However, my 9 year old GD came to visit and had herself packed a face mask in case she needed it. I made her another, which she said she loved. She used it, quite readily, to go into a shop even though it wasn't essential for her to do so.

I think a lot of children, of all ages, will be happy to copy adults or will want to take a responsible attitude. We have to find ways to allow for those children who are unable to cope with them.

Anything that can be done to help us deal with the Covid situation should be taken seriously.

The boys around here love them.
Obligatory half mast track trousers, hoods up, and skull masks.

MissAdventure “

When my son mentions ‘shopping’ or even going out, my two year old grandson immediately says ‘mask’ so he just accepts it as part of life now. I do sympathise with those that do suffer from Aspbergers etc but don’t know what the solution is. The safety of the community as a whole is paramount.

JenniferEccles, it is not schools which are not safe - people are not safe in large groups, and so it makes sense to wear masks when there are groups of them moving about as in secondary schools. I am very glad that my DGC who are at secondary schools are having to wear them from next week (and may be already doing so if they want to). I would be even happier if the primary school teachers in my family were wearing them when necessary too.

You (like others on GN, it's not just you) do seem to have a thing about teachers!

Teachers my GC have wear masks when they move round the classroom ,if they stand at the front away from the children the mask comes off.My GDs are very impressed by the masks Miss wears ,apparently they are very stylish.Most children will happily wear them when needed,my youngest school age GD has athsma and she knows it puts her in a risk category so she wears it in shops and busy areas.Shes 9 .

Children will get used to wearing masks. They are more adaptable than adults.
It would be a good idea for them to have a few masks to change during the day. Parents are being advised to wash school uniforms every day so masks could be washed too.

Absolutely no chance of me washing and drying uniform each day, with the best will in the world.

This will not be a popular viewpoint, but here goes...
I was thinking earlier today of my dear MIL who at the age of eight was evacuated to Oxford, all on her own, complete with her gas mask.
My musings led me to conclude that perhaps we should all 'get a grip'

MissAdventure I wouldn't have been able to wash all the uniforms for 3 children overnight either. I had a job as well as all the other things that needed doing.
My son has had instructions from the school to wash the uniforms daily and this seems to be the advice now but I can see that many parents may not manage this especially if you don't have a drier.

I wouldn't wash a blazer every day anyway.
Is the advice still to wash on a very hot setting?

I find it more than a little ridiculous that uniform is still considered important.

No advice to wash clothes every day here.
It would wreck an expensive blazer.

In my grandson's school they have banned blazers. Children have to wear jumpers.

It's the full month here, with the message that children not complying will have to wait in the lobby until a parent comes and picks them up.

Boris Johnson is criticised for everything he does. Presumably if he hadn’t changed his advice and face coverings hadn’t been brought in that would have been wrong also. He just can’t win whatever he does.
Yes children have missed out on their education but let’s not forget the unions have been partly responsible for this and are still trying to cause problems. I think ‘suffered’ might be overdoing it a bit. I read recently ( and I can’t recall where but think it was BBC news) that many teenagers were a lot less stressed from not going to school. I think children are pretty resilient on the whole and it’s the anxieties of adults who are causing the problem. Will keep my head well down to avoid the rocks!!

It is not the anxiety of the adult if the child themselves have anxiety . If you are dealing with anxiety on a personal level and you are an immature child you become distressed (if that’s more acceptable than “suffer”. ) Adults have a choice about whether they go into shops etc ( and wear a mask) children are legally obliged to go to school and do not.

I work with adults with learning difficulties, and there have been many years and tantrums at not being able to do as they want, not wanting to wear a mask, and not liking workers to wear one.

They have all adapted, despite having routines broken that they have had for years.

It's simply non negotiable.

How can you be annoyed about something that will keep our children, Grandchildren and their teachers safe?
Nobody will ‘suffer’ , most children, by now, are used to masks ans won’t think twice about it.
Most people who seem to be fretting about it are the older people, who should be careful not to pass their worries onto the children.

I agree with oopsadaisy4 adults often transfer their anxieties to children. I have been a teacher for many years and have seen this happen time and time again.
I also agree with MissAdventure. Children and young adults are adaptable with support and understanding. I think it’s vital that adults reassure children and not pass on their own worries.

Changing your mind isn't a fault. Surely it is because you have better information to hand. I don't see wearing a mask as 'suffering' - it will only become that if it is suggested to children.

I actually think it’s good that they changed tack, but personally I think they should make it compulsory for all areas.
I’m so glad I’ve retired, I taught until I was 66 so would have been vulnerable. I can’t see me teaching at 2m from the students though?! The classrooms simply weren’t big enough.
I think teachers should be allowed to wear visors personally.

I also wonderv about those helping special needs students as by definition they have to stay close to them. What do posters who say there’s nothing to worry about suggest In that situation ?

Also wearing a mask is Not “suffering” for heavens sake