School staff not allowed to wear masks

Op who likes anecdotal information? Do you mean GAgajo?

I dont remember anybody suggesting teachers were heroes. Where was that ?

I feel so bad for my friends. US teachers are writing wills before returning to schools, just in case. Seems UK teachers will have to as well.

And to the OP who likes anecdotal information .... my son in law has written a will, but he DOES have a very dangerous job. His best friend was killed in an explosion in Southern Afghanistan. Please do not make teachers out to be such heroes in the line of duty.

Aha, sensible answer to my question.

Ellianne

What about in the staff room then? That area is more dangerous for teachers than in the classroom. According to Chris Whitty it wasn't in the actual factory that the virus was transmitted, it was in the rest rooms where all the workers got together.

I've been told by a teacher friend that staffrooms will be out of bounds if two metre social distancing can't be maintained.

I feel so bad for my friends. US teachers are writing wills before returning to schools, just in case. Seems UK teachers will have to as well.

Crazy comment. Everyone with any sense should have a will anyway.

What about in the staff room then? That area is more dangerous for teachers than in the classroom. According to Chris Whitty it wasn't in the actual factory that the virus was transmitted, it was in the rest rooms where all the workers got together.

Lucca

Callistemon

Lucca

eazybee

Where is the information about schools imposing a no mask rule?
I have searched online and cannot find anything other than a comment saying that at present the Government does not recommend the wearing of face masks in schools, but that was posted in July.

My information is purely from two teachers working at local school so straight from the horses mouth as it were.

But only two teachers in one school?
So anecdotal evidence.

The Governments last advice was that masks will not be mandatory.
The Children's Commissioner may advise that children should wear them.

Sorry I never said it was a government directive I was just giving an example of what the situation is in one school that I know. If that is anecdotal so be it.

I have also read comments from teachers claiming that face masks are to be banned in their schools. Anecdotal admittedly, but so are many of the comments on GN.

The Royal Society commissioned a report (the DELVE Initiative) called "Balancing the Risks of Pupil Return to Schools", which brought together many experts from different specialisms and considered the experience of other countries.
It was published on 24 July and the government claims to have studied its findings.

This is what it has to say about face masks in schools:

"The use of face coverings or face shields has not been recommended in the Government’s guidance for schools unless children or staff display symptoms of COVID-19 and if “direct personal care” must be administered on school grounds.

Although its use in younger children may not be practical or effective – emerging evidence suggests that there may be less viral transmission from children to adults and that the dominant mechanism in young children may not be from breathing, coughing or sneezing (see section 3b) - its use should be considered for all adults (teachers, non-teaching staff and parents at school) and older children in schools, especially if there is a high rate of viral transmission locally and physical distancing is not possible. In line with the Government’s guidance, this should include its use if public or school transport is used to travel to school.

The DELVE report on masks published in May recommends the use of face masks or face coverings to reduce onward transmission where physical distancing is not possible, especially in crowded places. This is based on the emerging scientific evidence that shows a decrease in the rate of coronavirus infections where mask-use is compulsory and its usefulness in limiting how far breath can travel. This advice should not be ruled out for schools.

Although not all countries in our international review appeared to make use of masks or face coverings in their schools, those with a relatively high number of COVID-19 cases recommended its use in areas where distancing is not possible or where mixing outside of class groups occurred, e.g. in some classrooms, hallways and on transport, in for example France, Switzerland and in Israel. More recently, in the US, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have recommended the tailored use of masks and face coverings when schools open at full capacity in Autumn. The CDC has advised schools to teach and reinforce the use of cloth face coverings for staff and children –again, older children in particular – except those under the age of two years, those who are unable to remove the mask without assistance and those with breathing challenges.

There is some concern that the use of masks will impede learning. Research has previously shown that the observation of the face, including the mouth is an important tool for learning and language development. While this is important for young children, the use of face coverings will likely provide greater benefit at less risk to language development for older children in secondary schools.

(my bold)

The conclusion is to recommend face masks for all in secondary schools, but not primary schools.

Callistemon

Lucca

eazybee

Where is the information about schools imposing a no mask rule?
I have searched online and cannot find anything other than a comment saying that at present the Government does not recommend the wearing of face masks in schools, but that was posted in July.

My information is purely from two teachers working at local school so straight from the horses mouth as it were.

But only two teachers in one school?
So anecdotal evidence.

The Governments last advice was that masks will not be mandatory.
The Children's Commissioner may advise that children should wear them.

Sorry I never said it was a government directive I was just giving an example of what the situation is in one school that I know. If that is anecdotal so be it.

It isn't any that simple in schools now they're not state owned/run. Workers rights have been eroded. Staff are scared to stand out.

Before having any such document forced on me, I would consult my union rep. Don't understand why they haven't.

lemongrove

Again though, where is the proof that this is going to be the case in UK schools?

This is happening in my old Northumberland school. What proof are you expecting? A copy of the document they were forced to sign?

AGAA4

I thought masks only stopped you passing on Covid and do little to stop you being infected.

In Wales the scientists believe that people will touch masks that could be loaded with infection after a few hours and then touch their eye area and the infection has found a way in.

Masks stop the wide spread of the droplets and aerosols which carry the virus*. Logically they would only become 'loaded' with virus particles if you were in prolonged contact with an infectious person who was not wearing a mask. Or if you, yourself, were infected, in which case touching it and then your face really wouldn't make any difference to you, would it?

(* I do realise that they don't stop everything, but they reduce the viral load in the air)

I don't understand what the Welsh scientists were thinking..

Again though, where is the proof that this is going to be the case in UK schools?

I have no idea mcem. I don't work there anymore, but the two ex-colleagues I'm friends with have both said the same thing. 'The school has made us sign a document to say with the level of measures they've put in place we don’t need to wear masks.' Except their role before the summer holidays was unusual, because they were only responsible for the children of key workers and even then they said it was impossible to socially distance.

eazybee, I'm not prepared to name the school on here. But I worked there until Christmas. And the people that told me wouldn't lie. It's a school in an academy chain.

And AGAA4 and lemongrove, they told us that because the UK had insufficient PPE for medical staff, let alone the public. It was always a lie and they've reversed their opinion anyway.

I have taught, exercised and slept in a mask in the past (in China). It's harder in summer when it's hot, but it's doable. And at the very least in school, it should be personal choice. To BAN staff from wearing masks is disgusting IMO.

What does their union say about this demand?

Lucca

eazybee

Where is the information about schools imposing a no mask rule?
I have searched online and cannot find anything other than a comment saying that at present the Government does not recommend the wearing of face masks in schools, but that was posted in July.

My information is purely from two teachers working at local school so straight from the horses mouth as it were.

But only two teachers in one school?
So anecdotal evidence.

The Governments last advice was that masks will not be mandatory.
The Children's Commissioner may advise that children should wear them.

The obvious question: which school?

I think it's absolutely appalling if they're "not allowed", but surely this can't be true?

eazybee

Where is the information about schools imposing a no mask rule?
I have searched online and cannot find anything other than a comment saying that at present the Government does not recommend the wearing of face masks in schools, but that was posted in July.

My information is purely from two teachers working at local school so straight from the horses mouth as it were.

Where is the information about schools imposing a no mask rule?
I have searched online and cannot find anything other than a comment saying that at present the Government does not recommend the wearing of face masks in schools, but that was posted in July.

I understood that masks only prevented you infecting others. I agree with Luckygirl it seems a draconian step.

Obligatory here, with stiff fines for bot the school and teacher if not obeyed.
The teachers get 4 disposable masks a day, plus hand sanitiser at doors and in places around the room and school.
New sinks have been installed at all the entrances to the school and the children have to wash their hands every time they go in and out.
Not back here until September but these were the measures in place before the holidays.

AGAA4

I thought masks only stopped you passing on Covid and do little to stop you being infected.

In Wales the scientists believe that people will touch masks that could be loaded with infection after a few hours and then touch their eye area and the infection has found a way in.

Yup!

Surely since teachers are usually intelligent, they should be allowed to decide whether or not to wear a mask?