Back-to-school is right around the corner. Schools who do open their doors in the fall will be encouraging. And in some cases requiring students to wear face masks in the classroom. The CDC recommends all kids older than two wear a face mask in public to minimize the spread of COVID-19.
“Cloth face coverings are the best option for most children. Any child who can mask, should,” said Sara Johnson, associate professor of pediatrics and public health at Johns Hopkins Schools of Medicine and Public Health. “Now there’s some evidence coming out to suggest that masks may also provide some protection for the wearer, so they might be even more important than we first thought.”
Parents shopping for face masks face a unique set of circumstances. Besides, convincing your child to wear a face mask poses an additional hurdle. If you’re shopping for you and your family, there are special considerations on how to find the proper mask for your child. “Getting a child-friendly mask probably increases compliance with wearing,” says Anna Davies, a research facilitator who previously worked in the Infectious Diseases department at the University of Cambridge. “Let’s face it, looking like Spiderman is going to be a lot more appealing than a plain mask!”
How to shop for the best face masks for kids
Children are reportedly at lower risk for the illness but not immune. Many people who have COVID-19, including kids, don’t show symptoms, so wearing face masks can reduce the possibility that someone who’s asymptomatic might pass on the virus. Encouraging your kids to wear a face mask outside will encourage other preventative measures, like washing their hands and social distancing, said Johnson.
Before school starts, practice with your child putting on a face mask and taking it off with clean hands. It’s important to find a mask that fits your child’s face so they’re not constantly adjusting it and touching their face in the process,. Modeling mask-wearing is also important. This because children are more likely to wear their own face masks if they see the adults around them doing so. Practicing mask etiquette is equally important if your children are participating in a remote school, as they’ll need to wear one for trips outside the home.
Follow the general guidance on face masks:
- Face masks should fit snugly and comfortably
- They must be secured with ties or ear loops
- They should comprise multiple fabric layers
- You should be able to breathe without restriction while wearing the face mask
- You should be able to wash the face masks without causing damage or losing the face mask’s shape
The same guidelines for adult masks adhere to kids: Masks should have two layers of breathable fabric and fit snugly to their faces. Face masks for kids should also be easy to remove and your child should be able to breathe unhindered.
