How your child should take care of their mask

The Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize recently said we need to learn to co-exist with the Corona virus because the virus is going to be with us for a long time to come. When the lockdown restrictions were lowered from level 5 to level 4 then 3 and now 2, a mask became a necessary feature in our lives. While many people complain that they struggle to breathe and that is why they worry about their children wearing masks. With many children back at school, they have to wear a mask to school or even when they go to different places like restaurants, cinemas, and beauty salons as they start operating again. So as we continue wearing masks, many parents are dealing with questions around what is best practice when it comes to children wearing masks.

The right mask for your child

According to the Centre for Disease Control and Preventation recommendation, masks should not be worn by children under the age of 2. For those of mask wearing age, it is important that you choose the right mask size for your child. “Pleated face coverings with elastic are likely to work best for kids.  Try to find the right size for your child’s face and be sure to adjust it for a secure fit,” says The American Academy of Paediatrics. Also, consider face shields for children with respiratory issues. Dr. Jennifer Shu, a certified paediatrician and spokeswoman for the American Academy of Paediatrics says: “Face shields could be a good alternative for children with respiratory ailments like asthma or cystic fibrosis.”

Mask hygiene and etiquette

As children have gone back to school according to their grades as recommended by the education department, it is our duty as parents to teach our children how best to conduct themselves so that they don’t get exposed to the virus. Here are a few tips to share with your children about their mask.

• They must never share or exchange masks with their friends.
• They must always make sure that their mouth and nose are covered at all times.
• They must never wear a dirty mask as it may be contaminated.
• Every day after school, they should wash their mask with hot water and hang it out to air dry.
• They must only take out their mask when they are having lunch and put it back on immediately after eating.