Should Children Wear Mask?

CDC recommends Children aged under 2 should not be required to wear masks.
Then children over the age of 2 are recommended to wear face masks in public to slow the spread of the coronavirus, this is based on the safety and overall interest of the child and the capacity to appropriately use a mask with minimal assistance.

Advise that the decision to use masks should be based on the following factors:
When they are in settings where social distancing (at least 6 feet away from others) cannot be maintained, including both indoor and outdoor environments.

If they are experiencing symptoms of coronavirus, such as coughing, fever, and other symptoms that present in children with the virus.
Children should not wear a mask if:

1. The ability of the child to safely and appropriately use a mask, on how to put on, take off and safely wear masks without any assistance, important to ensure there is no suffocation risk.
2. The use of masks for children of any age with developmental disorders, disabilities, or other specific health conditions with severe cognitive or respiratory impairments with difficulties tolerating a mask should not be required to wear masks.

The same guidelines about fit and quality for adult masks also apply for kids’ face masks: children who are in general good health can wear a non-medical or fabric mask; this provides source control, meaning it keeps the virus from being transmitted to others if they are infected and are not aware that they are infected. The mask should be at least two layers of tightly woven breathable fabric (or two layers of nonwoven polypropylene plus a melt-blown filter layer in the case of disposable masks).

Children with an underlying health conditions in consultation with their medical providers, before wear a medical mask.
During physical activities, such as running, jumping, or playing on the playground, should not wear a mask so that it doesn’t compromise their breathing.

Advise that children aged 12 and over should wear a mask under the same conditions as adults.

If children do not feel safe or do not want to wear the mask, reassure them and be honest by telling the current situation without frightening them, explain the importance of wearing a mask before trying to put the mask on them, encouraging kids to wear a face mask is a great idea.