Why WHO is against kids mask mandate

The World Health Organisation has warned against mandatory masks for young children, saying it could lead to learning and development delays.

The World Health Organisation does not advocate mandatory mask wearing for all children aged 6-11, citing concerns about the impact on learning and development.

Its latest guidelines suggest children this age should wear masks only in areas of “widespread transmission where they live” and if a child can “safely and appropriately wear a mask”.

Decisions about mask wearing should include the “potential impact of wearing a mask on learning and psychosocial development, in consultation with teachers, parents/caregivers and/or medical providers,” the WHO says.

The state government has advised primary school children in years 3 to 6 will keep wearing masks inside.

But the WHO said the decision should take into account the availability of masks, the ability of the children to wear them and their exposure to at-risk adults.

Children with developmental disorders, disabilities and other health conditions should have to wear masks but be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

The WHO has warned against mandatory masks for primary school children. Picture: Rebecca Michael

Experts continue to question the logic behind the decision. The nation’s former deputy chief medical officer, Nick Coatsworth, criticised the government for apparently keeping the mandate in a bid to boost vaccination rates.

“It does trouble me that this is a sort of mandate in a way to create the impetus for people to go and get their kids vaccinated when, really, it should be a choice,” he said.

Deakin University’s chair of epidemiology Catherine Bennett said the logic was harder to justify when only four year levels needed to wear masks.

“We want to protect kids but we have some of the best vaccination rates in the 5-11 ages,” she said.

Professor Bennett said vaccination rates were not a true indication of immunity levels because many kids may have had prior infection.

“It would be good if it was reviewed because it needs to be proportionate,” she said.

Former WHO epidemiologist Adrian Esterman, of the University of South Australia, said: “I wouldn’t worry too much about kids wearing masks if it means protecting vulnerable people.

“I would be a lot happier about removing face masks if we had a fourth dose given to vulnerable people, and much happier if we had a higher proportion of kids vaccinated.”

Malcolm Elliott, president of the National Primary Principals Association, said mask-wearing for younger children was “problematic”.

A study from York University in Canada found mask-wearing in children aged 6-14 “led to a profound deficit in face perception abilities”.