Dear Amira and all
There is not enough evidence as to the effect of wearing a mask for children.
Wearing a mask, washing hands and social distancing are social rules against COVID-19, and three Cs are the strong recommendation from the Japanese government according to the scientific advisory board.
1. Crowding: the reduction of a classroom
2. enClosed spaces: through ventilation
3. Closed contact: Keep a distance between students and between students and teachers (at least 1 m)
There are two reports in Japan.
There was a cluster at an elementary school. SARS-Cov-2 was detected from six pupils at the end of May and the first week in June. Their symptoms were not serious.
This month, a new cluster was detected at a preschool in Tokyo.26 children and eight teachers were infected by the virus.
So, in unavoidable crowded situations, I think that it is crucial wearing a mask to protect from making a cluster.
Wearing a mask itself is not comfortable. I agree with it. But please watch the news from Japan. Even if in this humid hot rainy
season, almost all people including school children are wearing masks in Japan.
Wearing a mask is not beneficial for deaf children and children with hypersensitivity or asthma. For them or teachers, it is an option without masks.
Kind regards,
Hajime
CHIFA Profile: Hajime Takeuchi is a professor at the Bukkyo University in Japan. Professional interests: child health, child poverty, child wellbeing.
Email takechanespidATgmail.com He is a CHIFA Country Representative for Japan and a member of the CHIFA Steering Group (child health and rights) http://www.hifa.org/support/members/hajime
takechanespid AT gmail.com
