Gold Coast GP: Dire warning to students as mask wearing becomes mandatory

The mask mandate in high schools is causing angst among some parents, but a Gold Coast GP has offered up some surprising advice. FULL STORY >>>

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A GP has warned school students to treat their masks like underwear – wash regularly and don’t share.

Education Minister Grace Grace said 600,000 masks had been sent to southeast schools now they are mandatory. It included child-sized face masks and shields, to protect against Covid-19’s fast-spreading Delta strain.

Under the new restrictions, masks must be worn by teachers and staff across all schools and early learning centres. Students at high schools must wear masks but primary students and those with medical conditions or disabilities are exempt.

They must be worn in classrooms, playground and on public transport, but can be removed to eat or communicate with someone who is deaf or hard of hearing.

General Practice Gold Coast board chairwoman Dr Kat McLean said GPs could provide tips and assess whether a child had a medical reason that affected their ability to wear a mask, particularly anxiety.

“Overall kids tolerate masks remarkably well, in my experience they actually adapt much more easily to mask use than adults,” she said. “I can absolutely reassure parents that children won’t become unwell from wearing a mask.

“We know it’s going to reduce the risk of them contracting Covid and likely the other coughs/colds they tend to pick up at school.”

Dr McLean said it was important that disposable masks are not reused and disposed off in the bin after use “and don’t forget hand washing here”.

“Fabric masks need to be washed daily – think of them like you would underwear, clean them regularly and don’t share with others,” she said.

“When we look overseas masks are routinely used in children. Including very young children.

“The challenge is really about all of us getting comfortable with doing something very different to what we’ve traditionally done. It does take some getting used to.”

Marymount College students on the first day of mandatory mask wearing.

Dr McLean said fresh air was also very important and she encouraged it as much as possible. She suggests opening windows, eating outside and avoiding ‘stuffy’ rooms as much as possible.

“Wearing a mask won’t stop fresh air getting through to your lungs,” she said.

“While we know the risk of contracting Covid is much less outside it can unfortunately still happen. This is why masks are now recommended if you are outdoors with others. Masks appear to have made a significant difference.

“The risk of not having them in schools was unfortunately highlighted with our recent Brisbane schools outbreak.

“It’s one thing that collectively we can do and encourage that will help to keep our schools open, city out of lockdown, and most importantly, our children safe.”

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