What about the risk of Covid, which mask mandates are intended to ameliorate? The CDC reports that for the week of July 31 the rate of hospitalization with Covid for children 5 to 17 was 0.5 per 100,000, which would amount to roughly 250 patients. We can’t say that with any confidence when the practice stretches on for months or years. The adverse developmental effects of requiring masks for a few weeks are probably minor. It is especially important for children with disabilities such as hearing impairment. Seeing people speak is a building block of phonetic development. Covering a child’s face mutes these nonverbal forms of communication and can result in robotic and emotionless interactions, anxiety and depression. Facial expressions are integral to human connection, particularly for young children, who are only learning how to signal fear, confusion and happiness. The possible psychological harm of widespread masking is an even greater worry. It is well-documented that children who mouth-breathe because adenoids block their nasal airways can develop a mouth deformity and elongated face. Chronic and prolonged mouth breathing can alter facial development. In March, Ireland’s Department of Health announced that it won’t require masks in schools because they “may exacerbate anxiety or breathing difficulties for some students.” Some children compensate for such difficulties by breathing through their mouths.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |