Are masks necessary for kids during this pandemic?

How to get your child wear a mask if it’s mandatory for their protection?

What are the ways to make wearing face masks comfortable for kids?

All of us are going through a very tough time, a time we never expected would ever exist. I guess every kid today is familiar with words like lockdown, quarantine, Corona, COVID, pandemic, and whatnot, most of which we ourselves have come across for the first time. Things don’t seem to stop nor are there any signs of it ceasing sooner. At this moment I remember the saying, “When Life gives you lemons, make lemonade” (not sure how long though).Having said, let us be optimistic, and follow what time demands us to. Let us take all the precautions for the good of others and self.

Coronavirus Face Masks- Why Wearing One Is Important

Earlier, it was told by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that the masks were meant for the ones who were symptomatic, as in for the ones who were coughing and sneezing or had fever. There were primarily two reasoning for the same.

1. It was a concern if people started hoarding masks that are in limited supply which is in huge demand by the medical staff.
2. Only N-95 respirators were believed to be efficient in getting away from this deadly virus. So the ones who wore it initially were falsely assumed to be a victim of Covid 19.

But now, CDC has recommended the mandate usage of the masks anytime you step out. Be it grocery shopping, or a pharmacy, don’t forget your masks. But that doesn’t mean you can ease out on social distancing or washing hands.

Masks are used to prevent and protect us from getting into direct contact with this fatal virus. A face mask acts as a shield and reduces your chances of inhaling the virus. 

Also wearing a mask by a COVID-19 patient helps reduce the spread of the virus to others. You never know if you are an asymptomatic coronavirus carrier and so for the society, you wearing a mask becomes important even if you are not sick. Also from the recent studies, it is evident that children can be silent carriers of coronavirus, making it mandatory for kids too to wear face masks.

Having said that, now the common concern of most parents is how to make your child wear a mask. Many of them find it difficult to convince their little ones to wear a face mask. 

How do kids react to masks?

Like us, it is very new to them, so take it slow. It would be a little scary for them to see someone wear a mask as it covers half of your face. Kids always look for a welcoming and smiling face which the mask has limited now. So they not only find it unconformable to accept this change but also have built up fear in the minds.

Few children are pretty fine with it and they seem to show good interest in wearing it. It also varies according to the age of the child. Grown-ups are understandable and they adhere to the rules.  Younger kids could be challenging. They might be reluctant, very cranky or might cry whenever they are supposed to wear it.

To be honest, one mantra that always works for me is Communication, I swear by it. To my four-year-old son Reyansh, I have always held his hand, looked into his eyes, and spoken about things that need to be told at that moment. It has been easy for me that way.

11 Tips On How To Get Your Child Wear A Mask

Keeping our kids home is the best way to protect them from this pandemic. But if they have to step out of the house make sure they wear a mask. Here are the tips to get your kid wear a mask.

1. Talk

Talk to your kids about the importance of wearing a mask in an age-appropriate manner. Make them understand in simple and easy words. This could be overwhelming but has to be dealt with smoothly. 

2. Answer their concerns

As kids, they would have umpteen questions. Answer each of them. Explain to them how the virus enters our body, how it affects us, and how wearing masks will protect us. Be careful not to put a sense of fear in them while explaining all these. Keep it light and age-appropriate, yet make it clear that precautions are mandatory. 

3. Give time

Give them time to accept it. Let them observe and sleep over this thought of having a mask on their face. Don’t rush onto anything as it might backfire. Kids, once they fear something they take a long time to come out of it. So be patient.

4. Be a role model

Ensure as parents who are always surrounded by their kids, do what they preach. Most of the children look up to their parents and try to imitate their actions. Hence, modeling mask-wearing is very important.

5. Involve them in selecting masks

While buying a mask, allow kids to select one. A number of online sites now offer kid’s face mask. Sit together and browse online to select one which your child likes. Help them select their favorite color mask. 

6. Pretend play helps

Do some fun role plays or pretend plays like having a doll wear a mask, or have a doctor-patient play. These will make them at ease to start wearing it.

7. Make a DIY mask

A lot of DIY masks are trending now. Sew or no-sew mask videos are ruling the internet. Try them out as a family activity. You can teach your kids about recycling by using your old tees to make the mask. But always select quality cloth materials as recommended by WHO guidelines when making the mask yourself.

8. Be creative

Getting a little creative works wonders. Try to have masks that are color-coded with outfits or have cartoon characters on them. This makes little ones excited to get on. 

If you are making a DIY mask, have fun decorating the masks. Bring out your artistic brain cells to hands and create some amazing masks. Kids would love having their initials on the mask. I did the same for Reyansh and he loved it. You can use colorful buttons, stickers, some cartoon characters, and so on. Superhero masks are very much in the light now.

Make sure that the design works or embellishments on the masks does not hinder the ease of breathing or compromise the primary use of the mask.

9. Proper fit

Most of the time ill-fitting masks will be the villain in making your child cranky and refusing to wear one. So select a mask that fits properly. Adult masks are a strict no-no for kids. Proper fitting masks will lead to less fussing and proper protection.

10. Use buttons or elastic bands

One of the main reasons for kids refusing to wear a face mask is the discomfort or pain when the mask elastic is put around the ears. Try using buttons attached to a hat or a headband and loop the elastic around the buttons rather than your child’s ears. This will reduce the discomfort or pressure on the ears.

11. Keep hands occupied

Hand some toys like a small car or a doll to your toddlers so that their hands are always engaged and thus can avoid touching their mask or placing their hands anywhere else.

A few points to be remembered:

1. No mask for kids below the age of 2. Kids this age can easily get suffocated while wearing a mask. Keeping the infants home is the best way to protect them.
2. Touching or playing with the masks should be a strict NO and kids should be told about the same.
3. If the masks happen to fall on the ground don’t let your child wear it.
4. Wash the mask after every use in the proper way if they are reusable ones.
5. While taking off the mask, assist your child to remove it from behind without touching the front
6. Ensure hands are washed before wearing the mask and also after removing.

Let us pledge together to beat this COVID 19. We will surely overcome this phase. Be safe and be at home as that is the only surefire way to come out of this situation for good. Never lose hope. There is always a silver lining. Let us remain strong and supportive during these tough days, for this is going to be a big story for our little ones as they grow up.

Hope my tips on how to get your child wear a mask are helpful. Do share your tips in the comments.