Face covering exemption question

todolist · 02-09-2020 3:56pm #1

My 13 year old has a medical exemption from wearing face coverings in secondary school.Today he went into his school for induction.The Principal was aware of his exemption yet she made him sit away from other classmates behind a plastic screen beside the class teacher.
Surely he should be allowed to sit at his desk like everyone else? Any advice or guidance would be appreciated.

Smee_Again · 02-09-2020 4:00pm

Seems reasonable to me, why should the other kids be put an increased risk because your child can't wear a mask.

You could ask that a screen is put on his own desk so he can sit with the other students while also being behind a screen.

todolist · 02-09-2020 4:17pm

Smee_Again wrote: »

Seems reasonable to me, why should the other kids be put an increased risk because your child can't wear a mask.

You could ask that a screen is put on his own desk so he can sit with the other students while also being behind a screen.

So you would be fine with your child being discriminated against because he has a medical issue? I feel he is been victimised and treated like a leper.

Limpy · 02-09-2020 4:19pm

todolist wrote: »

So you would be fine with your child being discriminated against because he has a medical issue? I feel he is been victimised and treated like a leper.

Schools can bearly open during this Pandemic, they are doing there best. Give them a break. You could always home school him untill this passes.

v638sg7k1a92bx · 02-09-2020 4:23pm

todolist wrote: »

My 13 year old has a medical exemption from wearing face coverings in secondary school.Today he went into his school for induction.The Principal was aware of his exemption yet she made him sit away from other classmates behind a plastic screen beside the class teacher.
Surely he should be allowed to sit at his desk like everyone else? Any advice or guidance would be appreciated.

Totally unreasonable for the school to exclude your child on the basis of a medical condition and single them out from everyone else. The whole thing is unreasonable, that is why so many people have difficulty with face coverings because it's a form of compelled speech based on very questionable medical evidence.

Smee_Again · 02-09-2020 4:27pm

todolist wrote: »

So you would be fine with your child being discriminated against because he has a medical issue? I feel he is been victimised and treated like a leper.

I would be fine with the school taking any reasonable steps that are needed in order to keep all students safe.

You seem to want your child to sit mask-less presumably beside another student, why should that other student be discriminated against and made sit beside someone who is more likely to spread the disease.

There's no perfect set up here so all you can do is work with the school to come up with a solution that works for you and also the other students and teachers.

And maybe be a bit less dramatic.

iamwhoiam · 02-09-2020 4:30pm

Seems completely reasonable to me . If he cant wear a mask then he needs to be protected and to protect others

todolist · 02-09-2020 4:30pm

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.

todolist · 02-09-2020 4:33pm

Smee_Again wrote: »

Seems reasonable to me, why should the other kids be put an increased risk because your child can't wear a mask.

You could ask that a screen is put on his own desk so he can sit with the other students while also being behind a screen.

Mustafa Lemon Weeknight wrote: »

Totally unreasonable for the school to exclude your child on the basis of a medical condition and single them out from everyone else. The whole thing is unreasonable, that is why so many people have difficulty with face coverings because it's a form of compelled speech based on very questionable medical evidence.

Smee_Again wrote: »

I would be fine with the school taking any reasonable steps that are needed in order to keep all students safe.

You seem to want your child to sit mask-less presumably beside another student, why should that other student be discriminated against and made sit beside someone who is more likely to spread the disease.

There's no perfect set up here so all you can do is work with the school to come up with a solution that works for you and also the other students and teachers.

And maybe be a bit less dramatic.

Why is my son more likely to spread a disease he doesn't have.Should he be made sit on the roof of the bus on the way into school to protect other passengers?

radia · 02-09-2020 4:34pm

Even if he can't wear a mask, could he perhaps wear a clear plastic visor? It doesn't feel as suffocating, and it would be like his own personal screen, wherever he was sitting. Could be a compromise that would suit both him and the school.

Limpy · 02-09-2020 4:36pm

todolist wrote: »

Why is my son more likely to spread a disease he doesn't have.Should he be made sit on the roof of the bus on the way into school to protect other passengers?

Its school policy. We are all doing our bit. Stop trying to be a Karen.

v638sg7k1a92bx · 02-09-2020 4:37pm

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.

It's incidents like these that should make people question the rational behind these face coverings? "Don't wear a face mask? Ok sit in this corner on your own so we know that you are different to everyone else."

v638sg7k1a92bx · 02-09-2020 4:38pm

radia wrote: »

Even if he can't wear a mask, could he perhaps wear a clear plastic visor? It doesn't feel as suffocating, and it would be like his own personal screen, wherever he was sitting. Could be a compromise that would suit both him and the school.

What is a piece of plastic dangling off your face supposed to achieve? I cannot believe how so many parents just lumpenly accept these measures that are being introduced and adversely impacting their children's lives.

cfingers · 02-09-2020 4:40pm

todolist wrote: »

Why is my son more likely to spread a disease he doesn't have.Should he be made sit on the roof of the bus on the way into school to protect other passengers?

Unfortunately it's impossible to know if your anyone has Covid until they have symptoms and are tested . At that stage they may have spread it to others.

Your son is more likely to spread the disease as he is not able to wear a mask.

davo2001 · 02-09-2020 4:40pm

todolist wrote: »

My 13 year old has a medical exemption from wearing face coverings in secondary school.

Out of curiosity, why is he exempt? I'm genuinely curious? What condition does he have that prevents him from wearing a mask or face shield?

Rubberchikken · 02-09-2020 4:41pm

I passed a school today with the kids all in their different areas playing.
As I passed later they were all coming out at home time.
No social distancing. Plenty of mixing in fact.

Where is the logic?

I don't agree with a child being singled out to sit in a different place because he can't/won't wear mask.
Schools need to wise up.

v638sg7k1a92bx · 02-09-2020 4:42pm

todolist wrote: »

Why is my son more likely to spread a disease he doesn't have.Should he be made sit on the roof of the bus on the way into school to protect other passengers?

Exactly, it makes no sense. If kids were told to wear a leash and collar to school to prevent spread of this unremarkable virus, would parents just go along with what they were told because that's the popular opinion on twitter?

v638sg7k1a92bx · 02-09-2020 4:43pm

davo2001 wrote: »

Out of curiosity, why is he exempt? I'm genuinely curious? What condition does he have that prevents him from wearing a mask or face shield?

Does it matter?

Cash_Q · 02-09-2020 4:45pm

todolist wrote:

Why is my son more likely to spread a disease he doesn't have.

The problem is that he could have it without anyone realising that he has it, as many people have been asymptomatic yet tested positive. That's exactly why everyone is being asked to wear masks.

Put yourself in the shoes of another parent; their child is wearing their mask to reduce the risk of spreading the virus to your child, and your child is sitting beside them potentially passing on the virus to them, albeit for justified reasons with his medical condition, but this is exactly why he is being seated separately.

It's awful to feel singled out or discriminated against for this, but look at it logically from an outsiders perspective.

The school needs to have a policy in place so that all students who have an exemption not to wear a mask will be treated the same as each other.

o1s1n · 02-09-2020 4:45pm

Mustafa Lemon Weeknight wrote: »

Exactly, it makes no sense. If kids were told to wear a leash and collar to school to prevent spread of this unremarkable virus, would parents just go along with what they were told because that's the popular opinion on twitter?

I think that might be the most stupid piece of logic I've ever read on boards, well done.

A mask stops particles from leaving your mouth, hence helping stop the spread of the illness. It's not rocket science.

v638sg7k1a92bx · 02-09-2020 4:45pm

Rubberchikken wrote: »

I passed a school today with the kids all in their different areas playing.
As I passed later they were all coming out at home time.
No social distancing. Plenty of mixing in fact.

Where is the logic?

I don't agree with a child being singled out to sit in a different place because he can't/won't wear mask.
Schools need to wise up.

Not only that, kids have been roaming the streets and greens all over Ireland unfettered for the last 6 months - wrestling, playing football, dragging each other, mixing with each other. Where is the impact and "cases" from all this communal transmission?

jaxxx · 02-09-2020 4:46pm

todolist wrote: »

So you would be fine with your child being discriminated against because he has a medical issue? I feel he is been victimised and treated like a leper.

Would you ever go and get a serious dose of reality. Jesus christ, I've heard it all now.

Mustafa Lemon Weeknight wrote: »

Exactly, it makes no sense. If kids were told to wear a leash and collar to school to prevent spread of this unremarkable virus, would parents just go along with what they were told because that's the popular opinion on twitter?

I stand corrected.. .. ..

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000 · 02-09-2020 4:46pm

Smee_Again wrote: »

Seems reasonable to me, why should the other kids be put an increased risk because your child can't wear a mask.

You could ask that a screen is put on his own desk so he can sit with the other students while also being behind a screen.

I’m sorry but it seems absolutely outrageous to me.

granturismo · 02-09-2020 4:47pm

Mustafa Lemon Weeknight wrote: »

Exactly, it makes no sense. If kids were told to wear a leash and collar to school to prevent spread of this unremarkable virus, would parents just go along with what they were told because that's the popular opinion on twitter?

Face coverings are medical opinion. A virus with a worldwide death rate of 800K is not unremarkable.

amdublin · 02-09-2020 4:47pm

Mustafa Lemon Weeknight wrote: »

Exactly, it makes no sense. If kids were told to wear a leash and collar to school to prevent spread of this unremarkable virus, would parents just go along with what they were told because that's the popular opinion on twitter?

Why would parents just go along with something that is just stupid?

Whether you like it or not, or agree or not, a mask helps with stopping the spread the covid (amongst other things e.g. social distancing, washing hands etc)

jaxxx · 02-09-2020 4:48pm

amdublin wrote: »

Why would parents just go along with something that is just stupid?

Whether you like it or not, or agree or not, a mask helps with stopping the spread the covid (amongst other things e.g. social distancing, washing hands etc)

Stop speaking sense god dammit!

amdublin · 02-09-2020 4:51pm

OP. what were you expecting? The school have to take precautions. Your son could be infected and spreading covid or be at risk of getting it himself. Would you really be comfortable with no alternative precaution to the mask being taken?

If my child was in school with yours, I would not be happy with them sitting beside a maskless child. Sorry

It is a matter of health at the end of the day. I won't apologise for not wanting my child to be exposed to your child

Princess Calla · 02-09-2020 4:51pm

todolist wrote: »

Why is my son more likely to spread a disease he doesn't have.Should he be made sit on the roof of the bus on the way into school to protect other passengers?

To be honest this type of response does nothing to help your argument.

Look at it from other parents point of view too.... Alot of parents have really wrestled with sending their kids back to school, but risk v reward school won out. Do you think they'll be overly pleased if their child was seated beside a non mask wearing child for the full day?

The mask is to mitigate the risk of picking up and spreading the virus, so unfortunately your child not wearing the mask will be seen as the "weak link" in the class and a risk factor.... You may not like to be seen that way, but that's how many parents will perceive it.

loveall · 02-09-2020 4:53pm

Kid sounds as though they'd rather wear a mask than be ridiculed. Try it....what harm?

amdublin · 02-09-2020 4:53pm

Mustafa Lemon Weeknight wrote: »

I don't like it and it doesn't stop the spread of the virus. Why do you think a dirty piece on unregulated polyester would stop the spread of the virus?

So what, because you "don't like it", we do nothing? We are all taking lots of different steps - a mask is just one of them.

What's next? You "don't like" people washing their hands?

jam_mac_jam · 02-09-2020 4:55pm

It does seem unfair on your child but the problem is that the school needs to think of all the children. I know you think that your child doesn't have it but you don't know if they have it. It can be spread without anyone knowing.

I know it seems very unfair but it would be unfair on the other children if the school didn't take precautions.

amdublin · 02-09-2020 4:55pm

loveall wrote: »

Kid sounds as though they'd rather wear a mask than be ridiculed. Try it....what harm?

OP, why can your child not wear one? Do they want to try wearing it, maybe?

Wearing one might turn out to be a better alternative than the additional social distancing the school has put in place as an alternative?

o1s1n · 02-09-2020 4:55pm

Mustafa Lemon Weeknight wrote: »

A regulated surgical mask in a clinical environment maybe but an unregulated filthy snot rag that has been knocking around your arse pocket which you constantly fiddle, touch and wear around your chin will have zero impact on the spread of any respiratory virus.

But go ahead and believe your logic if it makes you feel better about the whole thing.

You really don't seem to be understanding how masks work, here's a bit of an experiment you can try at home.

Take a tennis ball, throw it at a wall. Did it got through? More than likely not, unless your arm is a cannon and the ball is steel.

Take that same tennis ball, throw it at a hedge. Did it go though? Most of the time it'll probably get stuck, the odd one might get through.

The majority of masks people wear aren't 100% effective, no.

But they're also not 0% effective.

Do you know what's 0% effective? Not wearing a bloody mask at all.

Smee_Again · 02-09-2020 4:55pm

Hunky Monster wrote: »

Get a grip.

Look, some people understand the role they play in society and other are just *****.

I know which I am. Do you?

jaxxx · 02-09-2020 4:56pm

Mustafa Lemon Weeknight wrote: »

I don't like it and it doesn't stop the spread of the virus. Why do you think a dirty piece on unregulated polyester would stop the spread of the virus?

*facepalm

Oh ffs. I stand corrected yet again: NOW I've heard everything.. .. ..

You were one of them 'specials' at the anti-mask protest weren't you?

LillySV · 02-09-2020 4:57pm

I’d rather the school protect the rights of the rest of the classes health over the perceived medical reason for one not to wear a mask and risk spreading it to others

v638sg7k1a92bx · 02-09-2020 4:58pm

radia wrote: »

In fairness, I don't think anyone is lumpenly accepting anything.
The purpose of the plastic is to reduce the forward transmission of aerosol droplets expelled from the respiratory system of the wearer towards the face of someone else. Will it stop transmission entirely? No, of course not. Air will travel down and around (like it travels out of the sides/bottom/top of a mask unless it's moulded to the face, which most aren't). However it can certainly reduce transmission, with some droplets being coughed onto, and remaining on, the inside of the mask.

A very very small possibility of a reduction in transmission, which begs the question is all this disruption worth it when very few people have this virus, very few people are dying and very few people are in hospital.

Wesser · 02-09-2020 4:59pm

I dont think he is a victim or he is being discriminated against.
I think these words are thrown around far too easily these days without any real understanding of their meaning.
He isn't able to wear a mask but others should still be protected. We all have to protect eachother. Alternatively he could wear a visor.

v638sg7k1a92bx · 02-09-2020 4:59pm

LillySV wrote: »

I’d rather the school protect the rights of the rest of the classes health over the perceived medical reason for one not to wear a mask and risk spreading it to others

You do realise that rights are actually being restricted and curtailed not protected?

iamwhoiam · 02-09-2020 4:59pm

todolist wrote: »

Why is my son more likely to spread a disease he doesn't have.Should he be made sit on the roof of the bus on the way into school to protect other passengers?

Because none of us know if we have it or not which is the whole point of masks .
Would he wear a visor instead at least

jaxxx · 02-09-2020 4:59pm

Mustafa Lemon Weeknight wrote: »

A very very small possibility of a reduction in transmission, which begs the question is all this disruption worth it when very few people have this virus, very few people are dying and very few people are in hospital.

Where are you getting your flimsy little bits of information that you some construe as actual facts? The back of cereal boxes?

v638sg7k1a92bx · 02-09-2020 5:01pm

Princess Calla wrote: »

To be honest this type of response does nothing to help your argument.

Look at it from other parents point of view too.... Alot of parents have really wrestled with sending their kids back to school, but risk v reward school won out. Do you think they'll be overly pleased if their child was seated beside a non mask wearing child for the full day?

The mask is to mitigate the risk of picking up and spreading the virus, so unfortunately your child not wearing the mask will be seen as the "weak link" in the class and a risk factor.... You may not like to be seen that way, but that's how many parents will perceive it.

Were parents so concerned when seasonal flu virus circulates which is actually more lethal for children than corona virus?

GalwayGrrrrrl · 02-09-2020 5:01pm

OP you should be glad that the school is taking action to protect your child by keeping him shielded away from the other children. Masks don’t completely reduce the risk of transmission so if he has no mask and is sitting next to a masked child with covid he could catch it. It sounds like the school are being really careful and sensible, it’s not discrimination.

v638sg7k1a92bx · 02-09-2020 5:03pm

jaxxx wrote: »

Where are you getting your flimsy little bits of information that you some construe as actual facts? The back of cereal boxes?

30 years of empirical evidence on face masks. Clearly you haven't questioned any of the narrative or thought about this issue independently other than what Government has told you.

kenmm · 02-09-2020 5:03pm

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.

Well, sitting separate or not, he is going to face that anyway as he isn't wearing a mask, therefore different to all the other kids.
I understand this is stressful for you and your family. It would also be stressful for another family if your son was placed unmasked beside their kid.
Maybe approach the school and see if a compromise can be made (someone mentioned desk screen?) and have a word with other parents if you know them and it can help make things easier for your son.

Psychiatric Patrick · 02-09-2020 5:03pm

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.

I can understand why your son would feel singled out but I think both you and the school should anticipated the problem.

The school should have known it would make a child upset and you should have known that a screen was necessary if he cannot wear a mask.

Ignore the people giving out saying "home school" and such. Just talk to the principal.

LillySV · 02-09-2020 5:03pm

Mustafa Lemon Weeknight wrote: »

You do realise that rights are actually being restricted and curtailed not protected?

No the other kids rights to have their environment kept as safe as possible is been kept up by the school, fair dues to them

It’s been proven that people can get the same level of oxygen through the approved masks so I’d love to see what the medical reason is not to wear one.... not wanting to wear one or their parents having nothin better to do than fight public advice is not “medical reasons “

Psychiatric Patrick · 02-09-2020 5:05pm

I didn't know thee was medical reasons that wouldn't allow wearing of a mask.

jaxxx · 02-09-2020 5:05pm

Mustafa Lemon Weeknight wrote: »

30 years of empirical evidence on face masks. Clearly you haven't questioned any of the narrative or thought about this issue independently other than what Government has told you.

*facepalm

Ah lads stop. No one can possibly be this.. .. jesus.

kenmm · 02-09-2020 5:07pm

I don't think debating the usefulness of masks is helpful to the op.

Maybe use one of the many other threads..

Smee_Again · 02-09-2020 5:10pm

kenmm wrote: »

I don't think debating the usefulness of masks is helpful to the op.

Maybe use one of the many other threads..

Exactly, those posters will rile the OP up and then walk away happy that they’ve pushed their agenda on to one more person.

Really all the OP can do is speak to the school and work out a solution that works for everyone.

Face covering exemption question

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