Adherence to Masking Requirement During the COVID‐19 Pandemic by Early Elementary School Children

• DOI: 10.1111/josh.13033
• Publication Date: 2021-05-17T05:26:25Z
• Authors: Geoffrey E. Mickells; Janet Figueroa; Kelly Withers West; Anna Wood; Barbara O. McElhanon
• Keywords: Face masks; Limiting; Pandemic; 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak

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 young children. This study sought to assess usage of cloth face masks in grades pre-K-2 identify associated characteristics adverse events. It is first data mask wearing by school.This online, prospective, observational, survey multiple schools within a single school district major metropolitan area measured adherence covering mandates students as percentage day with appropriate per report via daily teacher surveys 4 weeks school.The primary outcome was percent that entire class their appropriately. Of estimated almost 1000 1048 classroom days reported, mean 76.9%.For majority while conducting in-person instruction, are able adhere key mitigation strategy limiting SARS-CoV2 infection spread possible future use.