Face covering exemption question

Honestly I'd like to hear what Public health would have to say about this.

Princess Calla wrote: »

Send them an email and update us.

What is your solution?

I personally don't think sitting beside a peer unmasked is a good solution... It is putting an unnecessary risk on their peers and I'd guarantee you'd have the peers parents onto the school saying that the school isn't safe guarding their child.

Suddenly every child in the class will be asthmatic, live with a vulnerable person etc and could the school please ensure unmasked student is kept away from their child.

Alot of people are very scared of this virus and that can't just be dismissed because a student feels uncomfortable sitting with their teacher.

My solution would be to have the student sitting with the rest of their class. With 1m distancing if possible. Windows should be open anyway. But then I believe the risk from one student unmasked is absolutely miniscule.

Im not going to email public health but perhaps the parent concerned might. I genuinely would be interested to hear what they would have to say.

Psychiatric Patrick wrote: »

Why can't the desk with the plastic guard be with the rest of the desks?

Has the OP told us yet?

I suggested that in a previous entry.

Though when you think about it, you will need a screen for 3 sides back a foot or so from the desk too for when the student sits back in their chair too.

So to prevent it from blocking other students view (I appreciate it will be clear plastic) but it's still an "obstruction" the two back corners of the room are the main option or maybe front and sides.

fits wrote: »

My solution would be to have the student sitting with the rest of their class. With 1m distancing if possible. Windows should be open anyway. But then I believe the risk from one student unmasked is absolutely miniscule.

Im not going to email public health but perhaps the parent concerned might. I genuinely would be interested to hear what they would have to say.

See this is where people's perceptions totally differ and neither is "completey right or completely wrong"

If it were my son I'd be happier with them sitting at the front of the class with the screen between them and their classmates. Plenty of posters have said masks are not 100% effective and in this scenario you are relying on 13 year olds to wear them properly... So I would feel my son has better protection at the front. I would also feel that they would do better academically at the front. However I'm small so I was always placed in the front row... For 6 long years so sitting in the front wouldn't bother me.

If they came home and said they were placed in the back beside an open window I think I'd be more annoyed as I would perceive that as throw them down the back and forget about them. Freeze them out of it and hope they don't come back.

As a student sitting beside a window would have been a disaster as I've the attention span of a newt and I'm a cold creature so an open window in winter I would have begged my mum to let me off school. As it was I wore t-shirt, shirt, two jumpers and kept my blazer on all day, so an open window beside me for a full day would have been torture.

The op needs to discuss the options with the school and try to find a solution that is suitable for all involved.

fits wrote: »

That tiny mitigation of risk is far outweighed by the marginalisation of the student. Remember masks are only one aspect of the measures. Social distancing and hand washing are still at play. Both possible to implement without exclusion.

Professor Philip Nolan's thread about how the virus transmits is worth reading, and maybe puts this issue into perspective

https://twitter.com/President_MU/status/1299417080597565441

"The risk is increased when crowded together, and by loud conversation, shouting and singing, especially indoors; but crowding, contact and raised voices are risky outdoors too. The risk is reduced by good hygiene, face coverings, staying seated, and quiet conversation"

Sounds like the classroom fits that fairly well, and if the child can't protect themselves with a mask moving them 2M away seems to match this guys advice no?

Cakerbaker wrote: »

Just spotted this thread and out of curiosity I checked to see what the guidance says. What I found doesn’t mention screens but when talking about class rooms where physical distancing can’t be maintained, says that masks should be worn and that “Staff or students who cannot wear face coverings or visors for health reasons should be based in other classrooms or areas wherever possible”. Depending on how that’s been interpreted, the screen may be the schools way of trying to keep him with his class.

https://assets.gov.ie/83472/ca0e3029-2d43-4e77-8181-bc3dc89455d2.pdf

The screen is sufficient protection for all. There is no reason that the desk with the screen has to be moved.

todolist wrote: »

He came home from school very distressed at they way he was treated.He was clearly victimized because he's been picked out and treated differently. I assumed he would just sit at his designated desk like all his other classmates.

What do you say to a kid who comes home very stressed because they have to sit near some other kid who refuses to wear a mask ? they are non stop stressed and anxious as they see everybody else including themselves wearing one but somebody is refusing... the other kid is refusing because they believe their comfort and wellbeing is to be prioritized over everybody and everything else...

What do you say to a car driver who maintains that he should be allowed to break red lights, with the possibility that he might kill or injure a pedestrian or fellow road user ? You can say...

the rules are for the health, safety and wellbeing of the entire community of road users. If you cannot operate a vehicle without compromising fellow road users, their health, safety and lives... you have no place on the road, end of.

The rules in the classroom are the same... if a kid cannot or refuses to adopt and adhere to the rules that enable a safe and healthy class, for whatever reason, they have no place in that class... and the mental health BSers can stick it where the sun don’t shine.

jackboy wrote: »

What about the primary school children who don’t have to wear masks. Should they have no place in a class? There are reasons primary school children don’t have to wear masks. There are reasons why a small number of secondary school children cant wear masks. Everyone else just needs to get on with it. One child without a mask results in a very small increase in risk.

There are plenty of people, teachers, health experts including prof. Luke O’Neill the top immunologist who are adamant ALL children should wear masks in school...

Get on with what ? Get on with facilitating the transmission of a deadly disease ? After all the hard work and sacrifice to get us to here and now and because of a limp wristed weak as fûck parent pandering government ? They can fûcking get bent. It won’t end well but parents be delighted... no necessity to parent , teach, discipline their children as regards doing this for everyone.. no .. for themselves, an easy life..

Strumms wrote: »

There are plenty of people, teachers, health experts including prof. Luke O’Neill the top immunologist who are adamant ALL children should wear masks in school...

Get on with what ? Get on with facilitating the transmission of a deadly disease ? After all the hard work and sacrifice to get us to here and now and because of a limp wristed weak as fûck parent pandering government ? They can fûcking get bent. It won’t end well but parents be delighted... no necessity to parent , teach, discipline their children as regards doing this for everyone.. no .. for themselves, an easy life..

There is no policy in Ireland to eliminate the virus. We are just trying to keep levels low so the hospitals don’t get overwhelmed. If a small number of secondary school children can’t wear masks this is no big deal, it results in a small risk increase.

jackboy wrote: »

There is no policy in Ireland to eliminate the virus. We are just trying to keep levels low so the hospitals don’t get overwhelmed. If a small number of secondary school children can’t wear masks this is no big deal, it results in a small risk increase.

I never mentioned eliminating it. Low levels ? Absolutely I’m with you.... that’s why every child needs to mask up... those unable, unwilling... don’t go to school.

jackboy wrote: »

That’s going too far. That would do severe damage to the affected students with very little benefit to the rest.

The benefit to the rest is keeping everyone safe... that’s a huge benefit for students, staff and their families... never going too far.

I have an issue with suggesting that your child is being discriminated against.

the greater good is the principle.
and that includes your child
and he is being protected
and others are being protected

and you have an issue with this?

there is no doubt teenagers want to look different
and he is being treated differently
but to suggest he is being discriminated against is not the case

everyone needs to do the best they can
for everyone's sake

rom wrote: »

Anyone who can't wear a mask should wear a face shield.

Possibly. Anyone who maintains that they can’t wear a mask will just come out with some other schtick as to why they can’t wear shields in all probability..

If somebody came into their boss...”I have accredited confirmation from my psychologist that I shouldn’t have to wear clothes, here is the letter, makes me uncomfortable and have panic attacks, I’ll be naked in the office from now on, thanks”...

calfmuscle wrote: »

Id love to see the psychological report on you

I buried the last two, along with the reports, at sea :P

But process wise, trying to understand why would they allow exemptions rather than endorsing online learning for this student ?

Allowing "local" interpretation on everything here is getting me more annoyed tbh. We don't know enough https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-children-study/a-54749938 -> from where this paragraph seemed quite common sense to me: ""Compulsory face masks, physical distancing, hygiene rules and set study groups can all reduce the risk of spread. That's the consensus, but just how to deal with such issues, as well as how often classes should be held online or in person, remains open to interpretation in many countries."

Limpy wrote: »

Stop trying to be a Karen.

now I have to say this is what my 12yo would say: not really a compliment for an adult...