Should Children wear a mask?

Pandemic has shaken the world. Schools, parks, and malls, all have been empty in the past few months. Children spent maximum time in the confinement of their homes. And now when the world has started reopening and children have started going out, you have to be more cautious than ever.

Recently, there had been a lot of do’s and don’ts around the mask and what age should wear it and how should they wear it.

So, Pediatricians at Dr Dad sat and researched all the material available at the World Health Organisation and Centre for disease control and tried to put it out. The following has been taken from the WHO Website:

Should Children wear a mask?

WHO advises that people always consult and abide by local authorities on recommended practices in their area. An international and multidisciplinary expert group brought together by WHO reviewed the evidence on COVID-19 disease and transmission in children and the limited available evidence on the use of masks by children.

Based on this and other factors such as children’s’ psychosocial needs and developmental milestones, WHO and UNICEF advise the following:

Children aged 5 years and under should not be required to wear masks. This is based on the safety and overall interest of the child and the capacity to appropriately use a mask with minimal assistance.

WHO and UNICEF advise that the decision to use masks for children aged 6-11 should be based on the following factors:

• Whether there is widespread transmission in the area where the child resides
• The ability of the child to safely and appropriately use a mask
• Access to masks, as well as laundering and replacement of masks in certain settings (such as schools and childcare services)
• Adequate adult supervision and instructions to the child on how to put on, take off and safely wear masks
• The potential impact of wearing a mask on learning and psychosocial development, in consultation with teachers, parents/caregivers, and/or medical providers
• Specific settings and interactions the child has with other people who are at high risk of developing a serious illness, such as the elderly and those with other underlying health conditions

WHO and UNICEF advise that children aged 12 and over should wear a mask under the same conditions as adults, in particular when they cannot guarantee at least a 1-meter distance from others and there is widespread transmission in the area.

Are there any exceptions where children lesser than 5 years of age need to wear a mask?

In general, children aged 5 years and under should not be required to wear masks. This advice is based on the safety and overall interest of the child and the capacity to appropriately use a mask with minimal assistance. There may be local requirements for children aged 5 years and under to wear masks, or specific needs in some settings, such as being physically close to someone who is ill. In these circumstances, if the child wears a mask, a parent or other guardian should be within direct line of sight to supervise the safe use of the mask.

Should children with developmental disabilities wear masks?

The use of masks for children of any age with developmental disorders, disabilities or other specific health conditions should not be mandatory and be assessed on a case by case basis by the child’s parent, guardian, educator and/or medical provider. In any case, children with severe cognitive or respiratory impairments with difficulties tolerating a mask should not be required to wear masks. Also children who have underlying medical conditions should also wear a mask in consultation with their medical providers.

What type of mask should children wear?

Children who are in general good health can wear a non-medical or fabric mask. This provides source control, meaning it keeps the virus from being transmitted to others if they are infected and are not aware that they are infected. The adult who is providing the mask should ensure the fabric mask is the correct size and sufficiently covers the nose, mouth, and chin of the child.

Children with underlying health conditions such as cystic fibrosis, cancer, or immunosuppression, should, in consultation with their medical providers, wear a medical mask. A medical mask controls the spreading of the virus and protection to the wearer and is recommended for anyone who is at higher risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19

Are there alternatives to fabric masks such as face shields?

In the context of COVID-19, some children may not be able to wear a mask due to disabilities or specific situations such as speech classes where the teacher needs to see their mouths. In these cases, face shields may be considered an alternative to masks, but they do not provide the equivalent protection in keeping the virus from being transmitted to others.

If a decision is made to use a face shield, it should cover the entire face, wrap around the sides of the face and extend to below the chin. Caution should be taken while wearing one to avoid injuries that could break it and harm the eyes or face.

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