Masks and School

 As the fall school year approaches, I want to share some thoughts and evidence as to why our kids should be in school, without masks, and returning to normal like. It seems that as the “Delta Variant” of covid spreads, there is once again a strong push developing to mask and restrict our kids from experiencing a school environment that is ‘normal’, or pre-covid. 

Without further ado…here’s some information regarding masks and kids in schools.

•  A study from Yale University looked at mitigation strategies in school districts in Florida, New York, and Massachusetts. It found “We do not find any correlations with mask mandates.”
• Despite the American Academy of Pediatrics recommending masks, there are zero credible studies done to back up their recommendation. In fact, several studies have shown increased CO2 in masked kids, with the highest rates occurring in younger children.
• To be straight forward and blunt, kids do not wear masks appropriately. They often touch them, adjusting them, even sometimes salivating into them. Add in the fact that often these masks are not clean or new, and may harbor harmful bacteria, and you have the result of kids actually exposing themselves and others to MORE infectious agents, rather than preventing the spread of viruses or bacteria.
• Finally, when viruses mutate, they always become less deadly. They do become more contagious quite often, but they also become less serious and less likely to cause serious health issues. 

I have written often on this subject, most recently talking about the “Hygiene Hypothesis” in a column for last month’s newspaper. I’ve also touched on this when discussing the “Grandmother Hypothesis” as well. Children, to a certain degree, need to be exposed to things. That’s how their immune system strengthens and improves, not only for their childhood, but for the rest of their lives. 



Fresh air. Sunshine. Hugs. Less time with their eyes staring at screens of any kind. Increase these aspects of their life, let them show off that smile uninhibited, and let them THRIVE this school year!