Primary school children should wear masks in class, Professor Luke O’Neill claims

The measure has yet to be enforced in primary schools.

Professor Luke O'Neill believes primary school children should be wearing face coverings during the school day. Secondary school and college students wear face coverings during lessons, but the measure has yet to be enforced in primary schools. He explained that this action could help prevent the spread of COVID-19. “If it was 30pc effective in primary school kids you would do it, as that would have a significant impact,” he told Brendan O’Connor on RTÉ Radio 1. Professor O'Neill continued: “It’s a surprise to me [that they aren’t being worn], but it’s tricky for teachers, no more than parents, to impose it on that age group. But still, I would say please wear masks in primary schools because they know that masks work." Masks have not been introduced for children at primary level because it would be too stressful and challenging for younger children to understand. The Department of Education believes schools are a safe place and the current measures will help prevent the virus from spreading Carbon dioxide monitors have been distributed to schools across the country. It is believed the monitors measure how well a room is ventilated so schools can improve air quality in classrooms. Schools will also encourage strong hand hygiene, staggered break times and will have enhanced cleaning regimes. Parents have also been warned to keep their children at home if they display any Covid symptoms. Schools have developed bubbles for pupils and they are encouraged not to socialise outside of them. Social distancing is also highly encouraged in school environments. You must also keep your child away from school if someone at home is unwell and may have Covid and if your child is a close contact with a positive case. The current measures have helped reduce the spread of Covid in schools, but is introducing a mask mandate in primary schools something that should be considered?