Action – Read & Share: Masks in Schools: Do the Benefits Outweigh the Risks?
This is just a snapshot of information that is currently available. Please see our website for further links and information: www.skipaustralia.org
Summary
- On 14 October 2021, Victoria’s Chief Health Officer issued a direction under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act requiring that all children from year 3 and above wear face masks while indoors at school, and all children from Year 7 wear face masks indoors and outdoors at school.
- In a press conference to support the introduction of the requirement, Brett Sutton stated that the UK and US provide examples of where the masking of children in schools has reportedly led to a reduction in transmission of Covid19. However, no studies were cited, or scientific evidence given in support of this claim provided (ABC News, 2021).
- Important questions are now being asked over the lack of quality data behind the Government’s mask mandates.
- Given the lack of evidence for the effectiveness of face masks, the low risk to children of serious illness from Covid19 infection and the very real risk of harm to children from the wearing of masks for multiple hours a day, do the benefits really outweigh the risks?
Observations and quotes
- Questions over the efficacy of key research the government relied upon to mandate mask wearing. “Dr Kyle Sheldrick, a medical researcher at the University of New South Wales, said the Andrews Government using the study as a basis for policymaking is ‘staggering’. ‘There has been a lot of low-quality research that has come out in the pandemic, but for this to be used as a basis for a policy change is staggering,’ he said.” (McPhee, 2021)
- There are numerous scientific studies which have shown that face masks do very little to stop the spread of respiratory viruses (Meehan, 2021). These are too numerous to quote here but you can read a good overview of the current evidence at: https://swprs.org/face-masks-and-covid-the-evidence/
- As discussed in our previous Bulletins, children are at very low risk of serious outcomes from Covid19 exposure / infection. “Children do not readily acquire SARS-CoV-2 (very low risk), spread it to other children or teachers, or endanger parents or others at home. This is the settled science. In the rare cases where a child contracts Covid virus it is very unusual for the child to get severely ill or die. Masking can do positive harm to children – as it can to some adults.” (Alexander, 2021)
- In the same article as the previous point: “Additionally, data now suggests (even though still nascent) that children not only have extremely low risk as mentioned above but also that they naturally have the capability of evading the SARS-CoV-2 virus due to the lack of the ACE-2 receptors in their nostrils.” (Alexander, 2021)
- There is ample evidence to suggest that wearing a face mask for long periods, wearing the same mask repeatedly and not practising stringent hygiene when using masks can make them potentially deleterious to health. A long study of the detrimental physical and psychological effects of mask-wearing was published by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
- As parents, the possible adverse consequences of masking in school that come to mind that we should all be satisfied on before masking our children include:
- increased risk of bacterial and fungal skin, lung and sinus infections given that young children are likely to handle their masks a lot and not change them regularly, nor otherwise exercise good mask hygiene practices;
- increased risk of accidents from impeded vision;
- reduced concentration from the distraction caused by face masks;
- reduced learning capability as a result of tiredness, headaches, etc. associated with breathing in increased CO2 levels;
- potential increased anxiety;
- decreases in communication and socialisation skills development (Alexander, 2021), given that positive facial expressions become hard to read and negative facial expressions are amplified, and that verbal communication is muffled;
- the development of dental deformities and decay due to the fact that mask wearing encourages open mouth breathing; and
- bullying / non-acceptance of children who cannot wear face masks for medical reasons.
Issues
- What medical evidence has the Government relied on in justifying the introduction of mask mandates at schools? Has this evidence of potential benefit been weighed against the potential risks to children?
- Given that children are low risk of serious outcomes from Covid19 exposure/infection, are the mandates aimed at protecting teachers and other adults? Is this acceptable, particularly given the availability of vaccines to adults who feel the need for protection?
- Has the government conducted a risk assessment on the potential adverse effects of masking as outlined above? Has any guidance been issued to schools and teachers to address these risks? Are teachers receiving training to recognise negative impacts and mitigate them effectively?
- Given that all children are different and have different physical, mental and emotional considerations, is the one-size-fits-all approach of a mask mandate in schools appropriate? Shouldn’t parents ultimately be able to decide whether masks are suitable, appropriate or necessary for their child? Shouldn’t we be asking our children how they feel about wearing masks?
Our recommended contact list contains State and Federal MP’s, Premiers, Chief Health Officers, TGA, Australian Medical Association and Australian Nursing and Midwifery Association.
We also request that you forward this Bulletin to as many people as possible so that they can do the same. We understand that these topics are highly emotive, but we request that you remain civil in all correspondence.
References
ABC News. (2021, October 8). Victorian school student mask mandate widens as state records 1,838 COVID cases and five deaths. Retrieved from ABC News: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-08/victoria-covid-cases-school-student-mask-mandate-vaccine-target/100522902
Alexander, P. (2021, March 10). Masking Children: Tragic, Unscientific, and Damaging. Retrieved from American Institute of Economic Research: https://www.aier.org/article/masking-children-tragic-unscientific-and-damaging/
McPhee, S. (2021, October 21). Humiliation for Daniel Andrews as the ‘world first’ study Victoria held up as proof its mask policy crushed Covid is labelled ‘CRAP’ and ‘riddled with basic errors’. Retrieved from Daily Mail Australia: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10114191/Humiliation-Daniel-Andrews-Victorias-official-mandatory-mask-advice-labelled-CRAP.html
Meehan, J. (2021, March 10). Surgeon Destroys Myth: ‘If Masks Don’t Work, Why Do Surgeons Wear Them? Retrieved from CNS News: https://cnsnews.com/commentary/dr-jim-meehan/surgeon-destroys-myth-if-masks-dont-work-why-do-surgeons-wear-them
