Is it safe for children to wear face-coverings?

Children from third class up need to wear face masks in school.

Introducing face-coverings for children aged 9-12-years-old will help reduce the spread of Covid, but will it have an impact on children’s health?

Parents are wondering if it is safe and we’re happy to report that wearing a face-covering won’t cause any harm to your child.

Not only will it protect them from Covid and other viruses, but it also won’t cause any health issues.

The American Academy of Pediatrics stressed that masks don’t impact oxygen intake.

“There have been false reports that face masks can lead to carbon dioxide poisoning from re-breathing the air we normally breathe out. This is not true.

“Carbon dioxide molecules are very tiny, even smaller than respiratory droplets. They cannot be trapped by breathable materials like cloth or disposable masks.”

HealthyChildren.org said parents should not be concerned about masks.

They stressed that wearing a mask does not lead to low blood oxygen levels, also known as hypoxemia.

Masks are made of breathable materials and will not affect your child’s oxygen levels.

It also won’t impact your child’s lung development. Experts stressed that this myth is completely untrue. Oxygen flows through and around the face mask/covering.

The aim of the mask is to block respiratory droplets that could contain Covid-19.

Children aged 2+ can function normally with a mask on, even for long periods of time.

NPHET suggested that pupils from third class and up will wear face coverings in school.

Kids above the age of 9 will also wear face masks in shops and on public transport.

Click here for more information on mask-wearing.