1/3/22 news article

Dayton Children's recommends universal masking at schools in the new year

let's use our tools to keep kids in school

As kids head back to school after winter break and as omicron rages through our area, Dayton Children's is continuing to recommend universal masking in schools in order to keep children in the classroom.

Since the beginning of December. positive COVID-19 test rates have increased by 250% in children at Dayton Children’s.

By wearing a mask in the classroom, children and teachers stay safer from COVID-19 and the spread of othr infectious illnesses. That means more children remain in school and have fewer disruptions to their education.

“In-person, full-time learning is the best option for our children,” says Deborah Feldman, president and CEO of Dayton Children’s. “We saw the struggle for kids dealing with remote learning and a lack of interaction with their peers in our behavioral health services. We heard the anxiety and the frustration as parents juggled at-home school and work. We saw the increased gaps for children with disabilities and those from disadvantaged homes.”

Fortunately, we have tools to help children return to school, remain in school and do so as safely as possible, including strongly encouraging wearing masks by all staff and students and vaccinations for staff and children 5 and older.

how do masks prevent the spread of COVID-19?

When worn correctly, face masks create a barrier that reduces the spray of a person's spit and respiratory droplets. These droplets play a key role in the spread of COVID-19 because they can carry SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Masks also can protect you from others who may have coronavirus but are not showing symptoms and who could come within 6 feet of you, which is how far respiratory droplets can travel when people sneeze or cough or raise their voices. 