This is more than just simple politics. Our children are being forced to cover their face for extended periods of time. We are depriving children of basics that as humans we thrive on, facial interaction. School children not only learn about academic related topics, but this is where they build very necessary skills such as social interaction. A huge part of social interaction is FACIAL cues. We are affecting their social-emotional well being in the schools. This can easily trickle over to their academics. In an already stressful atmosphere for many, now there is one more thing to go wrong, or for them to get reprimanded for. 

We must stop this baseless mandate. California department of public health has stated, “ research from all over the world shows that children get covid-19 less often than adults. The younger the children, the less doorways the virus has to enter their body.” They went further and stated, “ When children do get the COVID-19 virus , the most common way they get it is from an adult in their household, not from other students at school. Children still have a lower risk of getting the virus compared to unvaccinated adults.”  WHO has published “ children 5 years and under should not be required to wear masks. This is based on the safety and overall interest of the child and capacity to appropriately use a mask with minimal assistance.” WHO also states, “ the use of masks for children aged 6-11 should be based on the following factors: whether there is widespread transmission in the area where the child resides, the ability of the child to safely and appropriately use a mask, POTENTIAL IMPACT OF WEARING A MASK LEARNING AND PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, IN CONSULTATION WITH TEACHERS.  Even experts have admitted to the significantly low risk to children and that there is more that needs to be considered when masking up kids. There is little data showing how children wearing masks is beneficial and out weights the social and emotional toll it takes on our kids. 

This should be a PARENT choice, not a heavy handed mandate from the government. 

Stop unnecessary mandates and create an environment where our child’s whole brain is being nurtured and they are in a comfortable environment so they can do their best learning.