3 year olds now need to wear masks in California

[JoshF]

The governor of CA just made masks mandatory for children unless they are under 2 and under. My 5 year old son is enrolled in a summer camp which already has social distancing measures in place. Now he's required to wear a mask all day. While I understand the precaution, I feel bad for young children being so isolated fro their peers at a crucial developmental age.

 

[tvguy]

Better than getting sick IMHO.

 

[disneychrista]

While I understand the precaution, I feel bad for young children being so isolated fro their peers at a crucial developmental age.

How does wearing a mask isolate them from their peers?

Most camps allow groups of children to socialize (without distancing) as long as those groups do not mix with other groups. My county uses the term stable groups of 12, which would be 10 kids & 2 "counselors." Them wearing a mask doesn't affect this but does help them to stop the spread.

 

[Jennasis]

If we all do our part, it will be a temporary thing. Kids are resilient.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

The governor of CA just made masks mandatory for children unless they are under 2 and under. My 5 year old son is enrolled in a summer camp which already has social distancing measures in place. Now he's required to wear a mask all day. While I understand the precaution, I feel bad for young children being so isolated fro their peers at a crucial developmental age.

Actually, the requirement says:
While outdoors in public spaces when maintaining a physical distance of six feet from persons who are not members of the same household or residence is not feasible.

So, I'm thinking they have to wear masks since the adults in charge cannot guarantee that all the kids will maintain the 6 foot requirement.

 

[Allison]

Wouldn't wearing a mask allow them to be less isolated?

 

[disneychrista]

Wouldn't wearing a mask allow them to be less isolated?

Ideally it would be both distanced and wearing a mask. But that isn't practical with young children.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

How does wearing a mask isolate them from their peers?

Most camps allow groups of children to socialize (without distancing) as long as those groups do not mix with other groups. My county uses the term stable groups of 12, which would be 10 kids & 2 "counselors." Them wearing a mask doesn't affect this but does help them to stop the spread.

Here, it’s masks and social distancing for camps (if they’re indoor), even with stable groups.

But I agree with you that I don’t understand how masks isolate them from their peers.

I think I’m less bothered by the masks order since we’ve been doing it for months, so it seems like second nature now. I don’t like wearing masks and wish my kids didn’t have to, but will continue to do it to keep us and others safe.

 

[disneychrista]

Here, it’s masks and social distancing for camps (if they’re indoor), even with stable groups.

When I see/hear the term "camp" I immediately think outdoors. The only summer camp around here is in fact outdoors.

Here, even day cares don't have to distance with stable groups of 12. Not even sure how you ensure young children keep at least 6 feet apart. I am so glad my children are grown/adults. I can only imagine how difficult this is on children & their parents.

 

[bcla]

If we all do our part, it will be a temporary thing. Kids are resilient.

I find that kids actually feel like they're doing their part. My kid at 2 might not have understood, but definitely at 5 we could explain it. Now at 9 we'll hear about it if we forget. Kids seem to want to do their part even if it's not strictly required. Most of the county orders exempt kids under 12, but I almost universally see kids wearing masks.

My only problem is that there are still county orders that can be more specific than the state order. Since the SaH orders have come down, I've only been in two counties where both have face covering orders that don't include most valved coverings. I still see a lot of respirators with valves.

 

[bcla]

When I see/hear the term "camp" I immediately think outdoors. The only summer camp around here is in fact outdoors.

Here, even day cares don't have to distance with stable groups of 12. Not even sure how you ensure young children keep at least 6 feet apart. I am so glad my children are grown/adults. I can only imagine how difficult this is on children & their parents.

I never did a lot of sleep away camps, but when I did there were always indoor activities. We slept in a covered, open-air cabin, but we had meals indoors and many activities were indoors. But day camps for my kid were indoors quite often.

 

[disneychrista]

I never did a lot of sleep away camps, but when I did there were always indoor activities. We slept in a covered, open-air cabin, but we had meals indoors and many activities were indoors. But day camps for my kid were indoors quite often.

True - but I figured with a five year old it was day camp (aka day care) not sleep away camp. As I said above the only day camps here are out doors, in the park. The only indoor activity they would do would be using the restroom.

 

[bcla]

True - but I figured with a five year old it was day camp (aka day care) not sleep away camp. As I said above the only day camps here are out doors, in the park. The only indoor activity they would do would be using the restroom.

I went to day camp as a kid. My kid has gone to several days camps. They always started off at an indoor community center or city park clubhouse. The only camp I remember that wasn't was a sports camp at a city park.

 

[JoshF]

His outdoor camp was cancelled. Kids need to be in a "pod" of no more than 12 kids and it needs to be the same group for 3 weeks. They each get their own toys and art supplies, with no sharing. It's a good way to limit exposure.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

His outdoor camp was cancelled. Kids need to be in a "pod" of no more than 12 kids and it needs to be the same group for 3 weeks. They each get their own toys and art supplies, with no sharing. It's a good way to limit exposure.

It’s not ideal, but I’d rather socially distanced, mask wearing groups of kids together than being on lockdown again.

I agree with your original statement - this entire thing is unfair to our kids. My own have struggled. And it makes me sad every day. I’m sad my oldest two are missing the best parts of being a teenager/high school. I’m sad my younger two have been totally cut off from their social circles. Unfortunately there isn’t anything we can do right now to make it go back to normal. So we help them make the best of a sucky situation.

 

[superme80]

I feel bad for all the kids. It is back to ordering groceries for me. One day this will be over.

 

[godisney14]

My only problem is that there are still county orders that can be more specific than the state order. Since the SaH orders have come down, I've only been in two counties where both have face covering orders that don't include most valved coverings. I still see a lot of respirators with valves.

I was in the store today and saw a couple wear just a plain face shield. No mask.

 

[LSUmiss]

When I see/hear the term "camp" I immediately think outdoors. The only summer camp around here is in fact outdoors.

Here, even day cares don't have to distance with stable groups of 12. Not even sure how you ensure young children keep at least 6 feet apart. I am so glad my children are grown/adults. I can only imagine how difficult this is on children & their parents.

Some of it is just ridiculous imo. Thankfully DS goes to a small summer camp where they don’t wear masks. Some poster’s said it’s temporary. But temporary during a crucial developmental period like 2-4 years old is harmful imo especially with speech.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I was in the store today and saw a couple wear just a plain face shield. No mask.

Not that there's anything wrong with that:
https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=230978https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/me...er-protection-against-coronavirus/ar-BB14X5vihttps://www.prevention.com/health/a32688269/face-shields-vs-face-masks-coronavirus/

 

[godisney14]

Not that there's anything wrong with that:
https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=230978https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/me...er-protection-against-coronavirus/ar-BB14X5vihttps://www.prevention.com/health/a32688269/face-shields-vs-face-masks-coronavirus/

From th article....
According to Perencevich's group, "face shields may provide a better option."

To be most effective in stopping viral spread, a face shield should extend to below the chin. It should also cover the ears and "there should be no exposed gap between the forehead and the shield's headpiece," the Iowa team members said.

I have yet to see a face shield worn by the average person in public that met the above criteria to be effective. (Even the stock photo at the top of that article doesn’t “cover the ears.”) That was why I had my doubts when I saw the couple.