Pediatric expert: Masks in schools help reduce omicron’s spread
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Several Missouri Republicans claim masks in schools are ineffective and hindering children's education, but medical experts and public health officials say otherwise.
Masks are required in hospitals and doctors' offices around the country as a means to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, especially the omicron variant, which passes from person to person more easily. Yet many Republican politicians are pushing back against their use in schools.
State Sen. Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) referenced a New York Times opinion piece in a tweet Friday morning in which he called for the end of mandatory masking in schools. Rowden, the Senate's majority leader, is among a large group of Missouri Republicans who have pushed back against health mandates to control the virus.
While I often don't agree with the Washington Post, The Atlantic, NPR and the New York Times, I do on this one.
— Caleb Rowden (@calebrowden) January 28, 2022
It is past time for mandatory masking of kids in our schools to end. #MOLeg https://t.co/tWcHtLCOky
In his 2022 State of the State address, Gov. Mike Parson said he will never implement a mandate of any kind because he "firmly believe(s) that the people should have say through their local elected representatives and not be dictated by needless executive action or any one person."
This comes in the wake of Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt announcing 45 lawsuits against Missouri school districts or schools, including Columbia Public Schools and the Jefferson City School District. The two local districts enacted temporary mask mandates as omicron fueled a record surge of infections among students and staff. Some schools had to close temporarily or go online because of staff shortages.
Masking in schools is an issue in Columbia's school board race, as well, with a question about the mask-mandate lawsuits surfacing at Thursday night's election forum.
Schmitt said he's pursuing these lawsuits because he believes masks are ineffective and cause learning issues.
"There's no data to support (mask mandates) ... masks are, in fact, ineffective. But we are learning more now about the psychological and social and learning challenges that come from these sorts of policies," Schmitt told ABC 17 after announcing his mask mandate lawsuits.
Dr. Kristin Sohl says otherwise. Sohl is a pediatric doctor specializing in children with autism and president of the American Academy of Pediatrics Missouri Chapter. Sohl told ABC 17 News that many parents have come to her with questions about how to introduce their children to masks.
"The bottom line is kids are kids, and kids can work with lots of different things," Sohl said. "And so most of the time, kids, even those that have autism or developmental delays, are doing fine."
Sohl said she encounters some children who cannot tolerate masks touching their faces in her work with kids with autism. When faced with that challenge, Sohl recommends parents work with the child's teachers and therapists to come up with a plan to gradually introduce the child to masks in a way that makes them comfortable.
"I think, like with everything, it's also a risk-benefit," Sohl said. "I think that's an equation that every family has to consider. Which is, 'is the risk of my child needing to learn how to wear this mask greater than the risk of them getting very, very sick from COVID?'"
Overall, Sohl says masks work, but they're just one layer of protection against the spread of COVID-19.
"Masks, like vaccines, social distancing and other things like that, are all ways that we've learned over the last couple of years, that can be really helpful," Sohl said. "And when we're trying to keep kids in school and keep them learning and growing and thriving, I'm willing to do whatever it takes to keep kids in school and I'm hoping that others are as well."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also published several studies on the effectiveness of masks in schools. One study published Dec. 6, 2021 concluded that children were less likely to spread COVID when wearing masks. That study also cites that "At least ten studies have confirmed the benefit of universal masking in community-level analyses."
Schmitt has expressed doubt in the certainty and trustworthiness of these studies. Through his Twitter account, the attorney general shares messages doubting the conclusions of several CDC studies on the effectiveness of masks. Schmitt also shares articles about the potential harm of wearing masks in school, such as impeded learning.
The omicron surge has also altered the mask conversation nationwide. The CDC now recommends wearing well-fitted N95 or KN95 masks over cloth masks due to the highly contagious nature of the new variant.
Sohl also emphasized the importance of a well-fitted mask for children because of comfort.
"Sometimes, if you're wearing a mask that's too small or doesn't fit or it's too big, then it can be super frustrating," Sohl said. "And that can certainly keep a kid not wanting to talk as much because it doesn't fit right."
