‘IT’S NOT MUCH TO ASK FOR PARENTS TO WEAR A MASK’
Councillor campaigning for mandatory face coverings on school run
A COMMUNITY leader is urging parents to wear face coverings outside the school gates to help fight coronavirus.
Councillor Candi Chetwynd has launched the campaign - and is now encouraging schools across the city to roll out the message.
Although some schools insist parents wear masks if they venture onto their premises, there is no national guidance on what to do when families drop off or collect pupils.
As they are congregating at the gates, social distancing can be an issue.
Ms Chetwynd, Labour’s shadow cabinet member for public health on Stoke-onTrent City Council, canvassed the views of the public on her Facebook page.
The Ford Green and Smallthorne councillor said: “I am very grateful that we are in a position where children are back, but a lot more can be done to make such areas Covid-secure.
“Some people might think if you are outdoors it’s OK. It isn’t OK. If you are collecting or dropping a child off for a matter of seconds, it could be a transfer of the infection.
“I’d encourage parents to wear one. It’s not going to hurt them, it’s only going to help. It’s not much to ask - wear a mask.
“It gives people the confidence to feel like they are doing what they can to keep their children in education, to be responsible for their social distancing.
“There is no point saying we are just standing at the school gates, because people aren’t always following the twometre rule.
“Some schools have already started asking parents to wear a mask because of what I have been saying online.
“Looking at a face mask shouldn’t be a scary thing. It should be a thing of respect and that this person is trying to stop the virus, not scare people that the virus is out there.
“It’s acknowledging that we are in a global pandemic, and it’s about taking personal responsibility too.”
Ms Chetwynd carried out a poll, which showed 97 per cent of people were in agreement that it should become policy by schools across the city to encourage all adults to wear face coverings.
She believes reopening schools was the right decision, and says education is ‘paramount’ for the future of the next generation.
She added: “Schools should be at the frontline giving parents that message, because such a disjointed Government has lost any respect and faith from the public.
“It falls to the community and those that serve the community to be ahead and do what needs to be done – schools are respected places.
“They are looking after our children, keeping them safe and serving our communities. If they can do this one extra thing, it will go a long way.”
Ms Chetwynd is also calling on the city council to take up the campaign.
Some other parts of England have introduced local guidance on the issue.
Leicestershire County Council recently contacted families to ask them to wear face masks on the school run.