The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on Thursday argued in a series of tweets that masking in schools seemingly has no negative effects on children.
The medical organization dismissed parental concern over the issue as nonexistent, pledging to provide “real talk” about children wearing masks.
“Research shows that schools where children and adults are consistently masked are effective in preventing the transmission of COVID-19. COVID remains a serious threat to children’s health. Universal masking can help make in-person learning safe this fall,” the group tweeted.
Research shows that schools where children and adults are consistently masked are effective in preventing the transmission of COVID-19. COVID remains a serious threat to children’s health. Universal masking can help make in-person learning safe this fall. https://t.co/ySEeCHGbWn pic.twitter.com/sqrRq3GTHU
— American Academy of Pediatrics (@AmerAcadPeds) August 12, 2021
Furthermore, the group went on to claim that masking has no negative effect on a child’s social development, claiming children can learn social communication through other “gestures.”
“Babies and young children study faces, so you may worry that having masked caregivers would harm children’s language development. There are no studies to support this concern. Young children will use other clues like gestures and tone of voice,” the group continued.
Babies and young children study faces, so you may worry that having masked caregivers would harm children’s language development. There are no studies to support this concern. Young children will use other clues like gestures and tone of voice. https://t.co/Rj1pnT6Bfk pic.twitter.com/rrO9yTujNi
— American Academy of Pediatrics (@AmerAcadPeds) August 12, 2021
However, in issuing the claim, the group provided no evidence for their generic statement, simply citing that there were “no studies to support this concern.”
Finally, the organization ended the series of tweets by stating mask wills “end the pandemic sooner,” a claim made by numerous politicians and health “experts” at the beginning of the pandemic more than a year ago.
“Masking now will help us end the pandemic sooner. Wearing a mask is a simple step we can all take to protect children and save lives,” AAP stated.
Masking now will help us end the pandemic sooner. Wearing a mask is a simple step we can all take to protect children and save lives. pic.twitter.com/Si0cGjUDxC
— American Academy of Pediatrics (@AmerAcadPeds) August 12, 2021
Throughout the country, school districts have continued to implement mask mandates for children returning to school, following the suggestions from the AAP.
For example, multiple school districts in Arizona have created new regulations for masking, seemingly in direct violation of a newly passed state law.
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Star News Network. Follow Cooper on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
