How long masks and kids?

[Pluto777]

So not to start a controversy BUT..

Assuming that hopefully, eventually masks will be phased out as vaccines become more distributed and things return to normal, when and what do you think the rules will be? Will they ease the rules for kids first? Is there a chance they may say that children under say age 10 no longer need masks? If so when? Best guesses welcomed.

 

[Chemist]

Ummm... when the pandemic is under control? Right now it is the opposite of under control. In fact, its so far out of control that its a little early to really guess when it won't be!

 

[RangerPooh]

I wouldn't think it would be anytime soon. Even if vaccines are available in early 2021 I doubt that they will be mandatory. So short of that I don't see schools backing down on the mask mandate anytime soon.

 

[kymom99]

In my experience, kids do better with masks than many adults. And kids tend to have trouble with personal space so I don’t think they will excuse them any time soon.

 

[HiStitch626]

I understand that children don’t tend to become as ill with Covid as adults do, but they can also spread the virus. As long as schools continue to have large numbers of people in small classroom spaces I can’t see them changing the mask mandate for schools.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Kids are way better at wearing them than adults are. Just sayin.

 

[Jennasis]

I don't know anything anymore.

 

[Hikergirl]

I would assume masks will be required until the powers that be decide the numbers of infections are low enough where we don't need them. That will depend on how many people get vaccinated.
I personally don't see the mandates lifted until they've given enough vaccines out to reach herd immunity, and that isn't going to happen for quite some time. I don't think they'll start lifting mandates for any specific age groups, I think it will be everyone at the same time.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Will they ease the rules for kids first? Is there a chance they may say that children under say age 10 no longer need masks? If so when?

I take it you have kids, perhaps under age 10? Or maybe you work with kids?

I don't think anyone knows. Vaccines haven't been given the go ahead for children yet as far as I know because of the trials so it's a bit hard to know how guidelines, mandates and policies will impact kids who are not yet approved for the vaccine let alone the impact for the adults. It also depends on how the implementation is done if it will be a state decision or not.

 

[TippyThomas]

I am afraid to speculate on anything at this point.

 

[JenBush]

I would be surprised to see a mask requirements lifted for children before adults.

 

[jrmasm]

I would be surprised to see a mask requirements be lifted for children before adults.

I agree

 

[jlwhitney]

My county only require masks as is for 3rd and up and many youth activities don’t require them. There are two schools a private (pre k 3 -8$ and a charter (k-11th) that don’t require them. So really it’s already different everywhere so it will be the same as places lift restrictions.

 

[prairie_girl]

So not to start a controversy BUT..

Assuming that hopefully, eventually masks will be phased out as vaccines become more distributed and things return to normal, when and what do you think the rules will be? Will they ease the rules for kids first? Is there a chance they may say that children under say age 10 no longer need masks? If so when? Best guesses welcomed.

A boy under the age of 10 died in my city yesterday of Covid. He’s the youngest person in my province to die of it. While they may be at lower risk, there is still a risk.

 

[neverlandsky]

2024.

Flu shots from 2009-2013 were very hard to get. There were waiting lists for priority patients and shortages. I don’t think this vaccine rollout will be efficient or distributed to the masses due to our personal experience of trying to get a flu shot for our youngest from 2009-2013. Youngest was eligible and a priority due to positive for swine flu/pneumonia in 2009. We were able to finally get 1 in 2012 for them. One shot during 5 years.

 

[Frwinkley]

Speaking as a 3rd grade teacher in SW PA, who is doing in person instruction 5 days per week, I wouldn't be one bit surprised if we don't start the 2021-2022 school year off with masks.

Little kids cannot socially distance very well, so masks are all we have at this point. Masks, and lots and lots of hand washing, and desks 6ft apart. It's the best we can do at this point.

 

[ronandannette]

A boy under the age of 10 died in my city yesterday of Covid. He’s the youngest person in my province to die of it. While they may be at lower risk, there is still a risk.

Wow - tragic and momentous. That may actually be the youngest person in Canada to date that has died. Here are the demographics as of today; only 2 persons since March under the age of 19.

 

[aprilchem]

I'm going to guess late 2021 for kids. I've read that it'll take well into 2021 for the vaccine to be approved for use in children, so they'll likely get it after all the adults are vaccinated.

 

[aprilchem]

2024.

Flu shots from 2009-2013 were very hard to get. There were waiting lists for priority patients and shortages. I don’t think this vaccine rollout will be efficient or distributed to the masses due to our personal experience of trying to get a flu shot for our youngest from 2009-2013. Youngest was eligible and a priority due to positive for swine flu/pneumonia in 2009. We were able to finally get 1 in 2012 for them. One shot during 5 years.

Are you in the US? I get a flu shot every year, as do all my kids, and I never had a hard time getting one during that time period. My youngest was born in 2009 and my oldest was 4 in 2009, and we've never missed a shot, ever.

 

[neverlandsky]

Are you in the US? I get a flu shot every year, as do all my kids, and I never had a hard time getting one during that time period. My youngest was born in 2009 and my oldest was 4 in 2009, and we've never missed a shot, ever.

Yes US. Glad you were able to. We didn’t have that experience in our State.