How to let children wear masks in the coronavirus, experts say-National

Pediatrics and infectious disease specialists advise parents young children may be hesitant to wear face masks at school in the middle of this fall Coronavirus..

Treat face covers like capes and shields — what superheroes might wear.

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“Once a child has ownership, they are more likely to take care of something, so if there’s a way to personalize the mask (put the logo in the logo, make it any color you like) , Do that,” said Dr. Anna Banerji. , Associate Professor of University of Toronto.

“It looks like a cape, right? You say: “This is to protect you and you need to take care of it.”

There are different state guidelines for students wearing face masks.

Mandatory face covers from grade 4 to grade 12 are common indoor areas including classrooms in Ontario.

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Alberta requires masks for grades 4-12 in areas such as corridors and buses, with optional masks for children from kindergarten to grade 3. On the other hand, BC students do not have to wear a mask, but the state states that it respects someone’s personality. Choose one.

Dr. Alison Carroll, a pediatric pulmonologist at the University of Alberta, said wearing a mask is just one aspect of COVID prevention at school, and hand hygiene becomes increasingly important for children who always wear and remove masks. Says that the face.

She says step 1 is to teach the children to wash their hands and use disinfectants before removing the mask. You should also wash and disinfect your hands before putting the mask back on.

It is also important to have a clean and dry place to store the mask when not in use.

Carol recommends an envelope or paper bag that can be stored in the corner of a child’s desk.

Tupperware containers and other non-breathable boxes are not recommended, she added. The same applies when attaching a face mask to a strap that can be worn around the neck.

“While the mask is on, condensation can build up and the enclosed spaces can make the mask damp,” Carroll said. “And straps aren’t overly recommended, as they can become contaminated if the mask is hanging and touching other surfaces.”

Banerji says that if a child is prone to losing things, a strap that acts like a string to tie a pair of mittens might be the solution.

“It’s better not to have a mask,” she said.

The misplaced mask can be solved by packing multiple items. According to Carroll, this also helps in case of dirt during the day.

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Experts encourage parents to teach their children proper mask hygiene right now, and they are ready to wear them for the long period of school day.

According to Carroll, you can gradually get used to the sensation of wearing a mask, starting with covering your mouth and then moving over your nose.

“Once they’re comfortable, they can do activities like going out, doing school work at home, or doing it in a school environment,” she said.

Explaining why the new rules are valid can help reduce the anxiety a child might have about wearing a mask, Banerji added.

“We need to reassure our children. The masks are there to protect you. New procedures are in place to protect you and your friends,” she said. “If parents are very worried, it can lead to anxiety in their children, so it’s really important that they stay calm.”

When it comes to the mask itself, experts say comfort, fit, and breathability are important, and point out that regular off-the-shelf masks in the store may be too big for a child’s small face. Avoid thick fabrics.

Masks with ear loops are recommended over ties for young children who may not be able to handle the knot themselves. According to Carroll, long strings can be dangerous because they pose the risk of strangulation.

According to Carroll, parents can normalize mask wear around their children as much as possible, and the enhancement should continue once school begins.

“Children are amazingly adaptable, modeling friend behavior and role models,” she said. “Therefore, it is important to take a positive attitude from family and teachers, and hopefully they will also get a positive attitude from their peers.”

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