Why experts are torn on kids’ mask plan

Education providers say they support the push to get children to mask up at primary school – but there are concerns it won’t be suitable for all kids.

Education providers have welcomed the Victorian government’s push for young children to wear masks but warn the move could be logistically challenging for some students.

Health authorities recommended younger children in primary schools wear masks on Saturday but stopped short of adopting it as a new rule.

Anyone 12 and over must wear a fitted face mask when they leave home under the current restrictions.

Chief health officer Brett Sutton said “significant transmission” of the Delta variant among young children was behind the push, but he acknowledged it would be difficult for some students to wear a mask.

Frankie, 7, has her mask placed on her by mum Tara. Picture: Nicki Connolly

It is a view shared by some groups in the education sector, including the Australian Primary Principals Association, which says children with special needs may struggle.

“There will be some who have medical issues that will make it effectively impossible for them to wear masks,” president Malcolm Elliot said.

“We understand the health imperative but asking little ones at the upper end of primary school is going to be an effort.”

Michael Gray, principal of St Joseph’s Primary in Warrnambool, said primary school children were “very conscious of health advice … and want to play their part”.

The mask rule has been recommended for primary school students but is not mandatory. Picture: Nicki Connolly

He said donning a mask – merely a recommendation, not a mandate – could be hard for some children, but there would be people around to help.

Mr Gray, who is president of the Victorian Association of Catholic Primary School Principals, said young children had watched their older siblings wearing masks. “For those who have to come to school still, we think there will be a very calm approach and very good compliance.”

Professor Sutton said on Saturday “not every parent will have a mask that’s available that’s the right size the right fit (for their little children) but understanding this recommendation, please look into it”.

He added: “Reflecting on how challenging it will be for very young children, it is, for that reason, a recommendation. some kids will do it, some kids will do it well. Some kids will absolutely not be able to do it.”

Medical experts have been largely supportive of children wearing masks, with paediatrician Sharon Goldfeld arguing it was a responsible measure to combat the state’s latest outbreak.

For Frankie, 7, who attends St Finbars Primary School in Brighton East, wearing a mask is a hassle but something she is happy to do to contain the spread of Covid.

“It is a little bit hard to speak (wearing a mask) because people find it hard to hear me,” she said.

“But it is important to wear a mask to keep everyone safe.”