Expert examines the benefits of wearing masks for children at school

The school year is rolling, and while the mask debate is just that – a discussion that can come and go for hours – here in New York City, wearing a face mask in school is mandatory.

Will the requirement change soon? Probably not, as the Covid Delta variant is still a huge concern. Our new governor, Kathy Hochul, has called on state health officials to demand a universal mask mandate in public and private schools. But many parents are understandably concerned that children wear a mask all day at school.

How vital is wearing a mask in schools? What are the benefits? For an overview of wearing a mask, we chatted with Samantha Lowe, MD, a pediatrician at White Plains Hospital Physician Associates in Armonk, NY, explains why wearing a mask is important.

With the resumption of full-time school, how important is the wearing of a mask for our students?

Due to the circulating and highly contagious Delta variant, the CDC recommends universal interior masking by all students (ages 2 and up), staff, teachers, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of their status. vaccine. The most effective protection against all strains of COVID, including the Delta variant, is vaccination. However, more than 50% of children who return to school do so without receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. This happens for three reasons. First, children under 12 are not eligible for vaccines at this time. Second, there is a percentage of students who qualify for the vaccine but have chosen not to be vaccinated. And, third, there are other students who meet the vaccine age criteria but are not eligible for the vaccines due to other health issues. For this reason, the correct wearing of the mask for all students, and anyone who comes into contact with these students, is an absolute necessity.

Are two masks necessary?

Right now, the CDC recommends wearing a face mask with two to three layers that fits your face perfectly. In February 2021, the CDC released research suggesting that superimposing a fabric mask over a surgical mask (double masking) when a mask has only one layer can provide additional protection against potentially infectious particles. However, if your mask already has several layers and is a good fit, there is no need to double the mask and this can make the masks uncomfortable to wear and / or interfere with vision if they go too high on the face.

A mask is only protective if your child is wearing it. Because children’s faces vary in size, fabric masks, especially those with adjustable ear straps and a nose clip, have been shown to fit better than paper masks. Studies have shown that tightly woven cotton fabrics filter particles surprisingly well, and their performance can improve in humid conditions, such as those created when you breathe. Make sure the fabric masks are thick enough that you can’t see through them, and if possible add a filter to provide an extra layer of protection.

For children with special needs or children with speech delays, do masks interfere with language development? Any advice for parents?

If your child has special needs or speech delays, it is worth discussing your concerns with your pediatrician based on your child. For these parents, it may also be worth having a conversation with your child’s school (e.g. making sure teachers will wear clear masks, allowing for necessary mask breaks, etc.). There are also things you can do around the house to help. Young children naturally take visual cues based on a person’s mouth and how that translates into overall emotion and mood. With everyone wearing masks, you can help your child transition from reading in the mouth to reading in the eyes. You can practice this at home while wearing your mask and playing a game – can you guess if I’m smiling? Frowning? Laugh on the basis of my eyes alone?

It is sometimes difficult to hear what others are saying under their masks, especially if they have naturally soft voices. It is important that you understand what volume of voices your children can hear clearly. You can model the teacher’s voice to determine if the normal level is understandable or if a few louder steps may be optimal. Then you can report this concern to your school and the child’s teacher.

Take as many opportunities as possible to arrange meetings with other kids and parents outside so that they can enjoy as full facial visualization as possible when they are not at school.

As children return to classrooms that can be hot at times, are there any tips to keep in mind if they are feeling overheated and overwhelmed by their face masks?

Train at home in varying climates to find the most comfortable mask for your child to wear for extended periods of time. Know your child’s schedule and let them know when they can expect mask breaks during the day. If possible, on very hot days, try to limit their time in masks by driving them to school. Tell your children to defend themselves if they are too hot or panic about their masks by asking for a mask break in a safe environment. Children are generally very resilient and get used to wearing masks very quickly in all climates and situations.

This story first appeared on NewYorkFamille.com.

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