I have not said much about how I feel about the pandemic.
mask wearing or not wearing, is it government based or a real threat.
Having two sisters, one very sick and the other just positive with no symptoms,
I know this is a real illness and my nursing knowledge knows that some
of the things put in place have been right.
So, this blog is more about our children, our precious future generation
those who will lead our country when, if we are lucky to live a long life,
will be the leaders of our beautiful US of A.
Whether you wear a mask, don't wear a mask, how you feel about masks,
not my reason for my next sentence.
I fear for the babies born in the last few years.
Being a school nurse for the end years of my career,
we know babies learn how to speak by looking at the faces of
not only those they love but also others who speak to them.
These "young-en's" are looking into the eyes of masked mouths...
leading to a generation that, as I see it, will need speech therapy.
Babies and young toddlers need to see faces to learn about
happy and sad, angry, etc. our facial expressions teach them so much.
Virtual schooling is my second point.
I am aware and glad that parents can choose the type of class
they want their children to learn. I know the virus is scary and I go on
a limb by saying, if the virus is one that once you get it you are
immune and most children get a mild case of it, maybe it would be okay
to let this be their immunization. I know still we are not sure about
this so won't say much about this but my focus, again, is on the child.
Children need interaction, They need to be away from their parents
in a safe place where they can not only learn from a teacher,
but socialize with their friends. We learn how to fix problems by
working through similar issues with our peers when we are young.
Children need to be with their peers, they need sleepovers, and playing
outside. I have mixed beliefs on home work, as if they get all day
schooling home should be for outside play, sibling interaction,
parental rules, etc. But I also believe that homework teaches children
about being accountable, organization skills, how to employ a sense
of how they need to work things in to their daily lives.
This makes for great work ethics when they join the work force.
Yes, I believe when this virus began and we knew so little of it,
it was wise and necessary to keep families home. Now that we know more,
I am all for children returning to schools as they are not just learning
reading, writing and arithmetic. Social skills that cannot be learned by
reading in a book. I believe (and again, this is my viewpoint, right or wrong)
not going into school is having some children so afraid of just so much.
Whether they wear masks to school or not, I believe they need to be in school.
Parents who have to work don't depend on school as baby sitters but they do
understand when their child is at school, they are essentially safe and this gives
them a sense of peace as they work to bring in the money needed to run
their family home.
I do also, have a viewpoint on masks in school.
Although I believe children and parents need to follow whatever rules
that each school has in place. This teaches children that rules and laws
are meant to be followed. Having no young children of my own right now,
I can say this: I do fear for the learning of children while fussing with a face
that is masked. My grand girls adjusted to mask wearing and their Mom
says they just put it on with out fuss. They have been taught along the way
of why a mask is needed and why school is needed.
I do wonder though, how much oxygen is blocked by mask wearing.
I won't say much about this as I just don't know.
I will put my "soap box" mentality down now.
Whether you agree or disagree, it is not not written to become a
discussion, just some thoughts I think about as we learn how to live
through this Pandemic season.
I am very happy I live in a country with freedom of speech,
whether right or wrong.
