Anti-Mask Harassment Poses Risks to Our Children

I am deeply troubled. Earlier today, I visited a gas station outside my town and wore my mask. Among the seven people in the store, only one older gentleman had his mask on. While no one verbally expressed their opinions, the atmosphere was palpable with judgment. The tension hung heavily in the air, filled with sidelong glances and a complete absence of smiles.

As I exited, a boy, around ten years old, mocked me by saying “Baa Baa” as I passed. Unsure if I heard him correctly, I turned to confront him. He repeated his taunt. I took a moment to inform him that such behavior was inappropriate. I explained that, although I am fully vaccinated, I have a child at home with serious health issues. I said, “You don’t know someone’s story, and there’s no reason to ridicule someone for their choices.”

The child rolled his eyes and walked past me, just as his mother approached from her car. I shook my head in a silent plea for her to intervene, but she appeared to search for something in her vehicle instead, perhaps sensing my frustration from afar.

If a young child feels comfortable making such remarks to an adult, what might he say to his peers? I’ve received messages from friends today, particularly parents within the special-needs community, whose children are facing ridicule for their choice to wear masks. One friend’s daughter even had her mask torn off and discarded. This incident escalated only because that brave girl spoke up. How many others suffer in silence?

How many kids will simply hide their masks to evade bullying? My friend’s daughter has switched to virtual learning for the remainder of the year, heartbroken that she cannot finish middle school with her friends. Meanwhile, her sister, who is undergoing chemotherapy, feels guilty for being a burden to others.

With only two weeks remaining in the school year for most kids, many are still unvaccinated. My daughter was poised to return to school this week, but after the Iowa Department Of Public Health (IDPH) lifted the mask mandate, she came to me in tears. “I can’t go back. I’m not fully vaccinated, and I’m afraid I’ll bring it home and make AJ sick.”

Is this an overreaction? Perhaps. But she has witnessed us rushing her brother to the hospital for complications from a simple cold, so her fears are valid.

She has struggled throughout the year with virtual schooling, often feeling invisible and neglected. Her assignments are all online, with no personal interaction, leading her to feel isolated. Despite her talents and high testing scores, she is now barely passing. We are investing in tutoring to prevent her from falling behind, all because of her legitimate concern for her brother’s health.

Just as she was ready to return to school, the situation changed, forcing her to choose between an education and the burden of possibly getting her brother sick. It’s unfair that a twelve-year-old must grapple with such heavy thoughts and question why others won’t help keep her brother safe. “It’s just a mask — it’s not like they’re hard to wear!”

My medically fragile son repeated preschool this year to work on social skills. He had just begun attending school for recess before the mask mandate was lifted. He is scheduled for procedures in Philadelphia this month and cannot afford to get sick.

Despite the CDC’s recommendation for masks in schools, the IDPH’s sudden policy shift, influenced by political motives, is appalling. This isn’t about freedom; it’s about protecting vulnerable children. The rapid decision-making left parents and schools with no time to adjust, which seems geared more towards appeasing a political base than addressing real concerns.

People claim, “Thank you for caring about our children’s mental health,” but if that were truly the priority, legislators would focus on critical bills aimed at supporting mental health and preventing suicide among children.

Others say, “No one is stopping you from wearing a mask,” but I argue that masks are essential for limiting the spread of germs. They don’t just protect individuals; they safeguard the community.

Some suggest that vulnerable individuals should simply stay home, but the government has made it exceedingly difficult for families to make that choice without risking their mental health and financial stability. All because a simple mandate was deemed too restrictive for a few.

Who exactly are our politicians protecting with these legislative actions? It certainly isn’t Iowa’s most vulnerable citizens. It feels as though their focus is on the extreme right.

I usually refrain from discussing politics, but advocating for my family compels me to speak out. The upcoming election on November 8, 2022, cannot come soon enough.

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Summary:

This article discusses the dangers posed by anti-mask bullying to vulnerable children, particularly those with health issues. It shares personal experiences illustrating how children are ridiculed for wearing masks and highlights the broader implications for mental health and community safety. The author urges for greater empathy and support for families facing these challenges, against the backdrop of recent political decisions impacting mask mandates in schools.

Keyphrase: Anti-mask bullying and its effects on children

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