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Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effects of Self-distancing in Young Children
Published on: March 1, 2019
Adherence to Masking Requirement During the COVID-19 Pandemic by Early Elementary School Children
Geoffrey E Mickells1, Janet Figueroa2, Kelly Withers West3
1Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, 1001 Johnson Ferry Road NE, Atlanta, GA, 30342.
Insights
Young children in pre-kindergarten to second grade can adhere to mask-wearing mandates in schools, demonstrating 76.9% appropriate usage. This finding supports cloth face masks as a key strategy for limiting COVID-19 spread in elementary schools.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Public Health
- Infectious Disease Control
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Universal masking is recommended for children over 2 years old during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Concerns exist regarding the feasibility of mask-wearing for young children.
- This study provides initial data on mask usage in young students within a school setting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the adherence to cloth face mask usage in pre-kindergarten to second-grade students.
- To identify factors associated with mask-wearing in young children.
- To document any adverse events related to mask usage in this age group.
Main Methods:
- An online, prospective, observational survey was conducted in a single school district.
- Teacher surveys measured the percentage of the school day with appropriate face mask wearing for students in pre-kindergarten to second grade.
- Data collection occurred over the first four weeks of the school year.
Main Results:
- The study involved approximately 1000 students and 1048 classroom days.
- The mean percentage of the school day with appropriate mask usage was 76.9%.
- This indicates a substantial level of adherence among young students.
Conclusions:
- Children in pre-kindergarten to second grade can adhere to mask-wearing for a majority of the school day.
- Mask-wearing is a viable mitigation strategy for limiting SARS-CoV-2 transmission in elementary schools.
- Findings support the potential for future use of masks as a public health measure for young children.
Background:
Top public health experts and organizations strongly recommend universal masking for children older than 2 years old during the COVID-19 pandemic, but speculate it may be difficult for young children. This study sought to assess the usage of cloth face masks in grades pre-K-2 and identify associated characteristics and adverse events. It is the first data to assess mask wearing by young children in school.
Methods:
This online, prospective, observational, survey in multiple schools within a single school district in a major metropolitan area measured adherence to face covering mandates by students in grades pre-K-2 as measured by percentage of day with appropriate face mask wearing per report via daily teacher surveys for the first 4 weeks of school.
Results:
The primary outcome was percent of the day that the entire class was wearing their masks appropriately. Of the estimated almost 1000 students and 1048 classroom days reported, the mean percentage of the school day with appropriate mask usage was 76.9%.
Conclusions:
For a majority of the day while conducting in-person instruction, children in grades pre-K-2 are able to adhere to mask wearing as a key mitigation strategy for limiting SARS-CoV2 infection spread and possible future use.
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