The Kids Aren't Alright

This poem from a student in WNY is being shared on social media right now as an example that children are fine (resilient), and that masking is not a big deal.

The state is facing a silent pandemic of mental health issues, not just in children but adults as well. Drug use among teens as surged during the pandemic, as have anxiety issues, body image issues, self harm, and suicides. Parents are powerless to watch their children struggle to develop their identity in a faceless society.

We spoke with a licensed social worker about this poem, and how problematic it is. This is her feedback.

There is no question that over the past two years many factors of the pandemic have impacted children. Covid hysteria has created fear among youth. Prolonged fear is a major concern for mental health challenges. As we aim to transition to more normal school experiences, we must reduce covid fear. 

The mixed signals can falsely convey to children that schools are unsafe. These messages can be anxiety driven for youth. The ideology that has been circulating, that if a child removes their mask they will harm themselves or others, can be very detrimental to their psyche and can put a huge burden on their shoulders. Additionally, what do we tell children who still contract or spread covid even with their masks on? 

Those mixed messages are harmful. We need to assure children that schools are safe and that they are safe. It is known that the severity of Covid disease to children is comparable to the flu. Children are not a danger, threat, or disease vectors. As per CDC, children are less likely to contract and spread covid than adults. Since this pandemic has played out much longer than we have ever expected, the pattern of masking has become a learned conditioned behavior.

Changing those thinking processes is not going to happen overnight, even if the mandate is lifted today. Therefore, we cannot expect that everyone is going to just change tune and take off their masks. Regardless of our beliefs on masking we need to shift our ideology to support choice and that goes for all perspectives on masking. It is believed that those who are in favor of universal masking believe that the wearer is only effectively protected if others around them are also wearing a mask which is why they are not in favor of choice. We must build confidence in the community that choice is safe for all to ensure all children’s needs are met. 

Educating the idea that high quality one way masking has shown to be more effective for the wearer versus universal low quality masking. Education on this concept will help shift the mindset that choice is a safe method and will have less of a heavy impact on children’s health, psychological well-being, and development. So while the focus is to unmask our children, the priority is in mental health and how we can provide youth with the necessary supports.

Students First is a parent advocacy organization dedicated to increasing the voice of parents and community members in education related issues. Please, join us in improving the educational outcomes for our children, and our communities' children.

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