I am initiating this petition with regards to the mask mandate that is in effect for the Lima City School children. It has become clear that our children do not have a voice in this matter so as their parents, as their protectors, we must be their voice. 

A person’s face is a part of their identity. When hidden away behind a mask, people(including children) lose their identity. They lose the ability to show and receive proper emotion and connectivity with others. Since last school year when our children were forced to wear face coverings, their mental wellbeing was at risk. They couldn’t see their teacher’s faces or the smiles of other school staff members at they were greeted each day. The school staff members had a difficult time recognizing their students outside of school and that is disheartening. Communication between teachers and students is very difficult with masks as speech is very muffled.

Children returning to school and once again having to wear masks will increase their chances of obtaining illnesses, especially respiratory. Keeping a piece of cloth or paper over their mouth and nose is creating the perfect breeding grounds for bacteria. They are hyper and energetic, therefore they inhale and exhale more often than adults. This in turn perpetuates the chances of getting sick! Think of all that bacteria on their faces when they come home after 7.5 hours of mask wearing. Think of all the CO2 rebreathing happening in their bodies! 

Please, I’m begging as a mother sign this petition to stop the mask mandate being forced upon our children. They are not defenseless and should never feel as such with a community supporting their health and wellbeing!