Our governor (IL) is announcing a mask mandate for schools today.
As a teacher in IL, I am so relieved about this. My district will only do the right thing when forced to. We go back next Thurs. and have received zero communication about Covid protocols or masking so far, but I have a feeling they'd do masks optional unless it was required by the state. That county also has low vax numbers so that wouldn't be great.
Sorry for any of the families giving hard times about school choice. We have enough information to dig through without added opinion and guilt.
I chose when I was pregnant years ago to keep both my mom and MIL out of any decisions. Mainly due to the unhealthy relationships they have with my sisters and SILs.
Yes this variant is scary, but keeping the kids home again or still is also a major issue for each of us to work through.
ETA: I got my 6yo Happy Masks a few weeks ago and I like them the most of all masks so far.
Our Happy Masks arrived today and I am SO impressed! I see the fabric moving as a breath, in a good way that seems to show I'm getting an amazing seal all the way around my face. It feels too thin to be doing much, like to the extent I probably wouldn't trust it if I hadn't read in the NYTs said it did really well on independent lab tests. Hopefully my daughter likes them too... I just let their website would let me sort patterns by what they actually have in stock in her size...
I know parents aren't supposed to be "selfish" but I legit feel an intense physical reaction to when I think about the idea of working from home with my kids around again.
that’s not selfish. That’s a normal response to having been treated like the giving tree by the world
We've heard nothing about what school will look like in the fall. I really hope they require masks for the elementary age kids who can't be vaccinated yet. My kids need to be in person and they did fine with masks last year.
I was looking for some new masks. We mostly used Old Navy cloth, Athleta made to move, and the 32 Degrees athletic fabric masks from Costco. I know the latter weren't as high on the list of effective, but DS said those were the only comfortable ones.
Old Navy had some active/athletic ones that had more layers and a filter pocket last year, but they don't have them on their website. I would like to get something similar to these but for kids if anyone has recs. Or anything similar at this point.
Republican Gov. Spencer Cox said he's fed up with people who can get vaccinated but choose not to.
So to help protect children too young to get vaccinated, "I have instructed our teams to provide a KN95 mask for every child that wants one in the state," Cox said Tuesday.
"We are purchasing those now. We will make those available to schools so that children and parents who want their child to be masked ... will have the opportunity to have available at no cost to them a KN95 mask."
The governor said neither he nor schools have the authority issue mask mandates, but local health departments and county elected officials can decide on a mask mandate for their schools for 30 days at a time.
Cox said the pandemic is a "pandemic of the unvaccinated," which the CDC director has also said. The governor said he's frustrated that those vaccinated against Covid-19 have to wear masks to help the unvaccinated.
"The CDC is asking all of you who are vaccinated to take one for the team once again, to protect people who are not vaccinated but who have the opportunity to do so," the governor said.
"I'm really tired, I'm really done with it. And I'm not really excited to have to sacrifice to protect someone who doesn't seem to care."
I am in Utah. While I'm glad these masks are being provided, what happens at lunch when there is no spacing or masks? We chose remote school last year so I'm not sure the lunchroom situation but this year there will be no covid precautions per our superintendent. I know the KN95 masks will be uncomfortable to wear for a whole school day and will having them off at lunch negate any benefit of wearing them the rest of the day?
Post by curbsideprophet on Aug 4, 2021 15:55:17 GMT -5
I am stressed about masks and school. They were remote all last year. Earlier in the summer I was okay with some indoor things. We did have DD go to summer school at her school which was mostly inside.
They current surge and Delta is stressing me out though.
I feel like I need better masks for this school year.
Are there any good reusable options? Or are all the best options disposable?
Our governor (IL) is announcing a mask mandate for schools today.
As a teacher in IL, I am so relieved about this. My district will only do the right thing when forced to. We go back next Thurs. and have received zero communication about Covid protocols or masking so far, but I have a feeling they'd do masks optional unless it was required by the state. That county also has low vax numbers so that wouldn't be great.
We just moved (temporarily) to SC from IL for DH's job, but damn if this doesn't make me want to go back now. We kept our house there and will be back in about a year-18 months. I was so on board with the plan of moving late last spring because cases looked pretty good. Now with Delta, I am freaking out. I just emailed the Superintendent at our new district urging him to consider masking, especially at the elementary level, but I expect it to go nowhere. I wish I had that crystal ball 3 months ago...
I am stressed about masks and school. They were remote all last year. Earlier in the summer I was okay with some indoor things. We did have DD go to summer school at her school which was mostly inside.
They current surge and Delta is stressing me out though.
I feel like I need better masks for this school year.
Are there any good reusable options? Or are all the best options disposable?
I’ve seen good reviews of Happy Masks…but they are like $24 each. Reusable but still pricy.
Post by sillygoosegirl on Aug 4, 2021 18:06:33 GMT -5
NYT had an article with their top mask picks, but of course the ones marked as most effective are now sold out... it's almost like everyone in the country is scrambling to buy masks for kids right now. (I know, I know, IF ONLY everyone was buying masks for their kids.) Some of their others suggestions without filters, but selected for being overall still very good (fit, price, and comfort are all really important, ESPECIALLY for kids masks when we parents aren't there to make sure it is worn correctly--or at all--and not misplaced).
I hate texas. Absolutely hate texas. Some districts started this past Monday and now we wait to see what happens. Virtual was not an option for many districts , masks can not be mandated in public schools and our vaccine rate state wide isn't great. My kids start a new school in 10 days and I feeling better about their covid precautions than I do the current daycare but it's still awfully hard to see my 17 month old put on a mask and giggle, we don't ask her to wear a mask but she has been grabbing one and putting it on to match her sister so 🤷♀️
Same. And any Facebook discussion about mask wearing devolves into comments about “Biden letting the illegals bring in Covid.” Every. Single. Time. I think if our entire family didn’t live here we’d be moving away.
abs, I know you know this, but you’re not alone in your frustration. I’m sending DS with cloth and hoping for the best. He told me he couldn’t breathe when trying on my K95 and I can only hope he’ll wear the ones we already have if no one else is wearing one. My hospital is surging and our local county projections, if we make zero changes, are off the charts. I feel completely hamstrung in protecting my child who is too young to be vaccinated and I’m so so frustrated that we’re back in the thick of it again.
Not that it will do a bit of good but I plan on writing Abbott and my reps again after DS goes to sleep. The sheer stupidity of not allowing the districts to require masks if appropriate is maddening.
As a teacher in IL, I am so relieved about this. My district will only do the right thing when forced to. We go back next Thurs. and have received zero communication about Covid protocols or masking so far, but I have a feeling they'd do masks optional unless it was required by the state. That county also has low vax numbers so that wouldn't be great.
We just moved (temporarily) to SC from IL for DH's job, but damn if this doesn't make me want to go back now. We kept our house there and will be back in about a year-18 months. I was so on board with the plan of moving late last spring because cases looked pretty good. Now with Delta, I am freaking out. I just emailed the Superintendent at our new district urging him to consider masking, especially at the elementary level, but I expect it to go nowhere. I wish I had that crystal ball 3 months ago...
I am crossing my fingers that the Columbia mayor’s state of emergency and mask mandate for schools in the city overflows to surrounding districts. Our superintendent did an update tonight and said they can’t mandate masks bc of the budget proviso. I hope they take it to the Supreme Court. I’m so mad and so nervous.
I’m the meantime I’ve been drilling into my kids that they need to wear their masks even if other kids don’t.
I feel completely hamstrung in protecting my child who is too young to be vaccinated and I’m so so frustrated that we’re back in the thick of it again.
The sheer stupidity of not allowing the districts to require masks if appropriate is maddening.
I feel the same way even though things are not as bad here. We have substantial spread in most of the state and things seem to be trending in the wrong direction. Even though there isn't any restrictions on it, the vast majority of districts here are mask optional. And at the same time our district is telling me they are following cdc guidance when I call or email. The gaslighting is making me feel crazy.
I know cloth masks aren't that protective but I am not convinced my kids will wear them (let alone double or kn95s) without school enforcement, especially if there is any type of peer pressure.
So I have to be ok with them getting sick? Maddening.
Ahhhhhh daycare outbreak. An infant tested positive at my kid's daycare, they let us know on Monday, last in the class a week prior. Then yesterday afternoon they decided to require all kids to get a test before they can come back (small school, the kids get combined sometimes). I had dropped her off yesterday morning with a mask on, nobody else *ETA no other kid, teachers were masked* had one on but they were all outside at the time. Of course it was stuck in her diaper bag pocket when I picked her up. 🥴 And today we got her swabbed (negative thankfully) but then were told another kid, this one in her 2 yr old class, has tested positive and was in class yesterday. I'm glad they asked everyone to get tested but now I think we will have to keep her home at least a week to make sure she doesn't become sick from likely exposure yesterday, but I'm not sure anyone else will be doing that. I really wanted to try to avoid it for her until she could get the vaccine, but I don't know if we can last through this surge! Ugh.
We just moved (temporarily) to SC from IL for DH's job, but damn if this doesn't make me want to go back now. We kept our house there and will be back in about a year-18 months. I was so on board with the plan of moving late last spring because cases looked pretty good. Now with Delta, I am freaking out. I just emailed the Superintendent at our new district urging him to consider masking, especially at the elementary level, but I expect it to go nowhere. I wish I had that crystal ball 3 months ago...
I am crossing my fingers that the Columbia mayor’s state of emergency and mask mandate for schools in the city overflows to surrounding districts. Our superintendent did an update tonight and said they can’t mandate masks bc of the budget proviso. I hope they take it to the Supreme Court. I’m so mad and so nervous.
I’m the meantime I’ve been drilling into my kids that they need to wear their masks even if other kids don’t.
DH and I talked tonight and he thinks the kids and I should go home to IL. He will stay in Columbia and work and fly back and forth every other weekend. It’s not ideal and being apart for 12-18 months will majorly suck. But, we’ve kept our kids safe for this long and we have the option to go home since we kept our house. I emailed the principal here to see what she might say but I’m leaning towards leaving. :/
Our district, very surprisingly, came down strict on mask mandates for all grades. However, ALL other precautions are lifted, including quarantine for direct exposure. So, a person who is symptomatic or known (admitted) positive should be on an individual quarantine, but class stays open, even for a known, whole-class exposure. As of right now, I’m not even sure that parents will be notified in these cases. Seems like a good way to infect an entire class in a very short period of time.
We also have big, loud “anti-muzzle” groups here who are organizing a plan to refuse to mask their children. Their approach is basically “they can’t send hundreds of kids home from school daily.”
Our BOE decided masks optional for all grades last night. Despite what local and state health officials have said. They will reassess every 2 weeks, so at least once more before school starts.
I am honestly shocked they included elementary school in optional. I don’t get putting these young kids at risk.
Also, nothing on any make up work for quarantining either. 🤦🏼♀️
I would hope the governor would reinstate a mask mandate, BUT it’s an election year and I’m sure he doesn’t want to hurt the Dem running by doing it.
Our school district sent a letter last night that masks will be required for all students K-12 regardless of vaccinated status. I'm so relieved, I was worried they wouldn't be required since the state guidance was only "recommending" masks. Well cue to the anti-maskers losing their shit on FB over it. Reading the threads made my blood boil, I should really avoid them but somehow I can't stop myself. It did prompt me to write a letter of support to our superintendent and school committee. The anti-maskers are such bullies, I bet a lot of parents are afraid to comment their support for fear of being attacked on FB. I applaud the few who went toe to toe with them, but honestly they are so awful. I wonder how many even have young kids who are ineligible for the vaccine. I think they are the minority, but they are *very* vocal.
This is great. Your district really is awesome! I know several teachers and top admins. They are so thoughtful in their planning. Hopefully other districts follow along!
I am stressed about masks and school. They were remote all last year. Earlier in the summer I was okay with some indoor things. We did have DD go to summer school at her school which was mostly inside.
They current surge and Delta is stressing me out though.
I feel like I need better masks for this school year.
Are there any good reusable options? Or are all the best options disposable?
I’ve seen good reviews of Happy Masks…but they are like $24 each. Reusable but still pricy.
My kids actually didn't like their happy masks, and won't wear them.
Hugs dancingirl21. That sounds hard. I'm so tired of having to make difficult decisions during all of this (and I know others are having to make even more difficult decisions than I).
Our district, very surprisingly, came down strict on mask mandates for all grades. However, ALL other precautions are lifted, including quarantine for direct exposure. So, a person who is symptomatic or known (admitted) positive should be on an individual quarantine, but class stays open, even for a known, whole-class exposure. As of right now, I’m not even sure that parents will be notified in these cases. Seems like a good way to infect an entire class in a very short period of time.
We also have big, loud “anti-muzzle” groups here who are organizing a plan to refuse to mask their children. Their approach is basically “they can’t send hundreds of kids home from school daily.”
I’m not feeling great about this.
Ugh, I hope that doesn't happen here but I totally can see it happening re: mask refusal groups.
I wish they would just send a class home and require them to get tested before returning instead of either ignoring the confirmed positive in the class or quarantining everyone for so long. That way it's only a few days' inconvenience if negative and not 10-14 days.
We also have big, loud “anti-muzzle” groups here who are organizing a plan to refuse to mask their children. Their approach is basically “they can’t send hundreds of kids home from school daily.”
I’m not feeling great about this.
I think the schools should state if a child comes to school without a mask, they will be given one to wear, and if they refuse, then the parents are called. Kind of like they might with dress code enforcement. The parents can then decide how much they’re willing to be inconvenienced for their convictions here.
We got the email from the high school yesterday with the rules:
- masks required for all indoors, optional outdoors - 3 feet distance will be maintained in classrooms - if there is a case, unvaccinated close contacts will have to quarantine
I assume elementary will have the same rules, because the school board set the rules for all. The high school principal just beat the elementary principal to sending out the email. I’m going on year 8 at this elementary school between my two kids, and the principal tends to roll up his sleeves and help set up the classrooms during the week and then we get emails from him on Sunday night.
We also have big, loud “anti-muzzle” groups here who are organizing a plan to refuse to mask their children. Their approach is basically “they can’t send hundreds of kids home from school daily.”
I’m not feeling great about this.
I think the schools should state if a child comes to school without a mask, they will be given one to wear, and if they refuse, then the parents are called. Kind of like they might with dress code enforcement. The parents can then decide how much they’re willing to be inconvenienced for their convictions here.
That is the exact policy, actually. Kids without masks will be offered one, and if they refuse, they are supposed to wait in a specific outdoor location at the office. Parents will be called and they are supposed to be sent home. The anti-mask group plans to tell their children to refuse to go to the office, and as parents, refuse to pick them up. They believe that it enough kids/parents do this, then the schools will basically give up, I guess. Aside from actual covid concerns, this is just so disruptive and disrespectful.
Velar Fricative - I’m totally on board with doing something to avoid a 10-14 class quarantine for every exposure. That isn’t feasible either. But I can’t imagine that a direct class exposure and then everyone continues to come in as normal is going to be a good plan. Or that a person has a family member at home who is covid positive and the asymptomatic student continues to come to class. I don’t trust anyone here to choose to be reasonable, so some kind of school policy backing this up would be nice.
jewel could they stick all the kids refusing in a multipurpose room or something and put an “in school suspension” on their record? Teaching kids to blatantly not follow rules, is so entitled. These aren’t rules that discriminate or oppress a group of people. It’s a blanket all wear masks regardless of any factor rule. Maybe the threat of something going on their record that colleges see would make these parents sing a different tune?
Our district, very surprisingly, came down strict on mask mandates for all grades. However, ALL other precautions are lifted, including quarantine for direct exposure. So, a person who is symptomatic or known (admitted) positive should be on an individual quarantine, but class stays open, even for a known, whole-class exposure. As of right now, I’m not even sure that parents will be notified in these cases. Seems like a good way to infect an entire class in a very short period of time.
We also have big, loud “anti-muzzle” groups here who are organizing a plan to refuse to mask their children. Their approach is basically “they can’t send hundreds of kids home from school daily.”
I’m not feeling great about this.
Ugh, I hope that doesn't happen here but I totally can see it happening re: mask refusal groups.
I wish they would just send a class home and require them to get tested before returning instead of either ignoring the confirmed positive in the class or quarantining everyone for so long. That way it's only a few days' inconvenience if negative and not 10-14 days.
I 100% agree. In the brief time we were open hybrid, my district quarantined entire masked classes for a confirmed positive. It's not manageable. Covid is not going to go away. We need a better plan. Masks are generally accepted in my area so I fully expect we will be mask required which I know impacts my view on this.
jewel could they stick all the kids refusing in a multipurpose room or something and put an “in school suspension” on their record? Teaching kids to blatantly not follow rules, is so entitled. These aren’t rules that discriminate or oppress a group of people. It’s a blanket all wear masks regardless of any factor rule. Maybe the threat of something going on their record that colleges see would make these parents sing a different tune?
But then who is going to supervise them? The school can't leave them in there alone and there's no way in hell you could pay me enough to supervise a room full of mask refusers, and they're likely not vaccinated.
School starts for my kids on August 24 and on Monday the superintendent sent an email confirming we'd be full-time, in person with mask required for all.
jewel could they stick all the kids refusing in a multipurpose room or something and put an “in school suspension” on their record? Teaching kids to blatantly not follow rules, is so entitled. These aren’t rules that discriminate or oppress a group of people. It’s a blanket all wear masks regardless of any factor rule. Maybe the threat of something going on their record that colleges see would make these parents sing a different tune?
But then who is going to supervise them? The school can't leave them in there alone and there's no way in hell you could pay me enough to supervise a room full of mask refusers, and they're likely not vaccinated.
School starts for my kids on August 24 and on Monday the superintendent sent an email confirming we'd be full-time, in person with mask required for all.
Maybe assign that job to any mask refusing teachers?