April 21, 2025 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

As children go back to school why is it important that they wear masks?


By: Jeanelle Murphy, DO

As Covid-19 continues to thrive due to the delta variant it is more important than ever to protect our children who are not yet eligible for the Covid vaccine. The delta variant has proven to be more contagious than the prior strain of SARS-COV-2 (the virus that causes Covid-19) and it seems to affect children at a greater rate and severity than the prior strain. The estimated fatality rate of Covid 19 in the US is between 1.6-3% making it much more deadly than the flu which has an estimated fatality rate of 0.1%. It is also crucial that we do all we can to prevent the spread of this deadly virus to those who are at greatest risk of severe infection and death: those who are unvaccinated, as well as those with weakened immune systems.

The most important tool we have to end this pandemic is vaccination however masking and social distancing are also essential tools.

Cloth masks consisting of three layers of fabric prevent 50-70% of infectious particles from spreading from an infected person to those around them. Masks also protect the wearer of the mask from Covid Infection by up to 70%. Studies have shown that up to 50% of infectious people do not have symptoms though they are capable of spreading Covid-19 to others, this includes vaccinated people who are less likely to have symptoms of Covid -19 and if they have symptoms they are more likely to be mild. Children are less likely to show symptoms than adults making it even more important for them to be masked to protect their classmates, teachers and other school contacts.

Research has shown that it is safe for children 2 years and older to wear cloth masks for an extended period of time. Oxygen and carbon dioxide freely exchange through cloth masks since these molecules are much smaller than Covid virus particles. School age children 7 years and up have shown to be accurate at interpreting emotions of others with partially covered faces making the social emotional concerns less of a concern. Clear masks are available if necessary for teachers of younger children and children can have plenty of mask free time outside and away from school with family. Children are resilient and can certainly adapt to wearing masks as has been shown in Asian countries where masks have been the norm for years.

As children go back to school why is it important that they wear masks?
By: Jeanelle Murphy, DO

As Covid-19 continues to thrive due to the delta variant it is more important than ever to protect our children who are not yet eligible for the Covid vaccine. The delta variant has proven to be more contagious than the prior strain of SARS-COV-2 (the virus that causes Covid-19) and it seems to affect children at a greater rate and severity than the prior strain. The estimated fatality rate of Covid 19 in the US is between 1.6-3% making it much more deadly than the flu which has an estimated fatality rate of 0.1%. It is also crucial that we do all we can to prevent the spread of this deadly virus to those who are at greatest risk of severe infection and death: those who are unvaccinated, as well as those with weakened immune systems.

The most important tool we have to end this pandemic is vaccination however masking and social distancing are also essential tools.

Cloth masks consisting of three layers of fabric prevent 50-70% of infectious particles from spreading from an infected person to those around them. Masks also protect the wearer of the mask from Covid Infection by up to 70%. Studies have shown that up to 50% of infectious people do not have symptoms though they are capable of spreading Covid-19 to others, this includes vaccinated people who are less likely to have symptoms of Covid -19 and if they have symptoms they are more likely to be mild. Children are less likely to show symptoms than adults making it even more important for them to be masked to protect their classmates, teachers and other school contacts.

Research has shown that it is safe for children 2 years and older to wear cloth masks for an extended period of time. Oxygen and carbon dioxide freely exchange through cloth masks since these molecules are much smaller than Covid virus particles. School age children 7 years and up have shown to be accurate at interpreting emotions of others with partially covered faces making the social emotional concerns less of a concern. Clear masks are available if necessary for teachers of younger children and children can have plenty of mask free time outside and away from school with family. Children are resilient and can certainly adapt to wearing masks as has been shown in Asian countries where masks have been the norm for years.

Hopefully, if we all do our part with vaccination, masking and social distancing the pandemic will end in the near future and we can all live without the fear of Covid-19 for our children and our families.

in Life, People
Banner
Related Posts

Franzen chosen to lead middle school

March 30, 2021

March 30, 2021

The new St. Joseph Middle School Principal will be a familiar face. The St. Joseph Consolidated Community School Board voted...

Kids’ recycling project leads to three new benches at local parks

September 11, 2019

September 11, 2019

The residents of St. Joseph will have three new benches to sit on. The village has bought three benches for...

Carle now scheduling appointments for COVID-19 vaccine available to children 6 months and older

June 27, 2022

June 27, 2022

Urbana, Ill. — Carle supports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation for children 6 months – 4...

‘I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it’

December 28, 2022

December 28, 2022

Girl Scout Emily Elsbernd knew what she wanted to learn while working on her Gold Award. “I knew all along...

A familiar face joins Longview Bank

November 22, 2021

November 22, 2021

Sara Bryan has always had a passion for helping people. That passion was instilled in her by her father who...

‘There was a spunk and tenacity to her that would never quit, concede or fail’

February 2, 2023

February 2, 2023

Tiffany Kelley was many things. A loving mother. A great friend. An inspiration and a fighter. The St. Joseph resident...

Ceremony to honor Edwards scheduled for Thursday

December 9, 2020

December 9, 2020

A Gift of Hope Flag raising ceremony will be held on Dec. 10 at 4 p.m. at the St, Joseph-Ogden...

5 Question Friday with Drama Director Chandler Dalton

October 28, 2022

October 28, 2022

The SJO drama department is producing “The Internet is Distract—Oh look a kitten!” Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at...

Kids Say….

April 5, 2019

April 5, 2019

Every week we ask five students from a local school to answer a question on a worksheet. This week the...

5 things you don’t know about me…..Campbell Flessner

August 7, 2019

August 7, 2019

Campbell is in the running for the title of Little Princess! She is six years old. We asked her to...

10 things you don’t know about me… Dina Fox

June 5, 2019

June 5, 2019

My husband, Kerry, and I met when I was 18 years old in the middle of a snow storm.  We’ve...

Always Looking to Give Back: Short honored for volunteerism

June 7, 2022

June 7, 2022

Tim Short wants to inspire the younger generations. Short, who was honored with the SJO Friend of Education Award this...

Senior Spotlight… Jillian Plotner

January 23, 2020

January 23, 2020

What are your plans after you leave SJO?I plan on studying forensic anthropology. I haven’t decided what school yet! If...

Bringing Boston to St. Joseph: Jones to complete virtual marathon Monday throughout villages

September 5, 2020

September 5, 2020

Alison Jones has competed in the Boston Marathon before. On Monday, she will participate in the storied event — just...

Kids Say…

July 1, 2019

July 1, 2019

Every week we ask five area kids a question about farming. This week it is second graders from PVO South....

Comments
Leave a Reply