The pediatric team wants masks in schools this fall

**Related video above: Local school districts still considering face masks for unvaccinated students**

(WTRF) – Always wear a mask in school and encourage everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated COVID-19 among several coordinated interventions recommended in an update Interim Guidance AAP, which strongly advocates face-to-face learning in the 2021-22 school year.

“Distance learning highlights educational inequalities, harms the educational attainment of students of all ages, and exacerbates the mental health crisis among children and young people. ,” follow the instruction.

Given the evidence of low rates of coronavirus transmission in schools with appropriate precautions and the availability of effective vaccines for those 12 years of age and older, the “benefits of attending school are large” than risk in most cases,” the guidelines state.

Back to the classroom; wear the mask

Sonja O’Leary, MD, FAAP, chair of the AAP Council on School Health Executives, says pediatricians should emphasize a classroom approach that prioritizes direct school attendance, while also protecting students. students and staff from SARS-CoV-2 variants that may be more contagious. Committee.

The AAP continues to recommend that all staff and students 2 years of age and older wear masks unless medical or developmental conditions prohibit their use.

According to Dr. O’Leary, the widespread face covering has many roles.

“As we begin the 2021-22 school year, a large portion of students are not eligible for immunization and have more contagious COVID variants. Because of this and because we want all students to come to school, AAP advocates for all students, teachers, and staff to wear masks while indoors on campus,” she said.

The AAP also recommends that schools monitor daily in-person and virtual attendance, and identify and support students who are at higher risk of absenteeism.