Masks introduced into schools to avoid argument with Sturgeon
MASKS were introduced in schools for the first time after Boris Johnson was told it was “not worth an argument” with Nicola Sturgeon over the issue, the Lockdown Files reveal.
Mr Johnson pursued the policy despite Sir Chris Whitty, England’s Chief Medical Officer, saying there were “no very strong reasons” to do so.
The policy was one of the most controversial of the pandemic and was not finally ended in England until January 2022 – 16 months later.
Ms Sturgeon had announced the compulsory wearing of masks in corridors and communal areas in Scottish secondary schools and in August 2020 Mr Johnson asked for advice on whether they were needed in England.
In Whatsapp messages, Sir Chris appeared ambivalent. He said there was “no strong reason against in corridors etc, and no very strong reasons for”, before adding: “So agree not worth an argument.” The next day the Government announced that secondary school children returning in September in areas subject to lockdown would be required to wear masks in corridors and communal areas. The policy was later extended to the classroom.
The guidance applied to a third of a million pupils in secondary schools in Greater Manchester, parts of Lancashire, West Yorkshire, and Leicester.
In other areas in England, schools were given the power to “recommend” masks be worn in communal areas.
The decision prompted a backlash with one head teacher complaining that “masks mean mayhem”.
The communications show how Mr Johnson appears to have been bounced into the decision after Ms Sturgeon introduced the change in Scotland on Aug 25 2020. Allowing devolved nations to set Covid policies is understood to be one of Mr Johnson’s pandemic regrets.
Boris Johnson
Folks I am about to asked about masks in schools. Before we perform another u turn can I have a view on whether they are necessary
[25/08/2020, 09:14:30]
Matt Hancock
Here is the medical advice:
I understand the concern for secondary schools is because teenagers are hanging around in school corridors and hallways. Therefore, the easier answer than responding with face coverings is to say our guidance references one way corridors, ventilation, etc and to note that brief encounters as children switch lessons is usually a low risk (i.e. move your kids on instead of introducing face mask requirements). [25/08/2020, 09:17:17]
Lee Cain
Considering Scotland has just confirmed it will I find it hard to believe we will hold the line. At a minimum I would give yourself flex and not commit to ruling it out. High school pupils in Scotland to wear face coverings from 31 August [25/08/2020, 09:18:09]
Lee Cain
Also why do we want to have the fight on not having masks in certain school settings? I’ve been away though so Simon and others may have good reason Im unaware of [25/08/2020, 09:20:57]
Simon Case
I agree with Lee. Gavin in same place. Position today, PM, is that you have asked your scientific and education advisers to look at this, in light of the WHO and Scottish evidence – and then go into Matt’s stuff about masks not being as critical as other measures in schools [25/08/2020, 09:21:20]
Simon Case
Unless Chris/patrick etc are willing to go out and say WHO and Scots are wrong, I think some nervous parents will freak out about this happening in Scotland, but not in England.
[25/08/2020, 09:23:31]
Matt Hancock
Whatever the decision we should make it, communicate in an organised way, and stick to it
[25/08/2020, 09:24:53]
Simon Case
Remember, secondary schools kids already wearing masks on buses to school, in shops etc
[25/08/2020, 09:25:10]
Chris Whitty
No strong reason against in corridors etc , and no very strong reasons for. The downsides are in the classroom because of the potential to interfere with teaching. [25/08/2020, 09:30:08]
Chris Whitty
So agree not worth an argument. [25/08/2020, 09:30:47]
Patrick Vallance
I think the advice is that face coverings should be worn indoors in situations where crowding cannot be avoided. I think I the policy already recommends them for transport to and from school for older children. This would then make logical sense to include for corridors or communal areas if crowding cannot be avoided (if it can then that is preferred). Not in the classroom [25/08/2020, 09:39:51]
Boris Johnson
The trouble is that the current guidance specifically excludes schools [25/08/2020, 09:49:00]
Boris Johnson
God knows why. [25/08/2020, 09:50:03]
Boris Johnson
Wearing a face covering or face mask in schools or other education settings is not recommended. Face coverings may be beneficial for short periods indoors where there is a risk of close social contact with people you do not usually meet and where social distancing and other measures cannot be maintained, for example on public transport or in some shops. This does not apply to schools or other education settings. Schools and other education or childcare settings should therefore not require staff, children and learners to wear face coverings. [25/08/2020, 09:53:50]
Boris Johnson
In order to allow schools to require face coverings in any part of the school we will now have to do a u turn [25/08/2020, 09:55:07]
Matt Hancock
There’s a reasonable way through this. The clinical advice is clear that face coverings should not be used in classrooms as they interfere with teaching. That’s the ground on which we stand.
We have not advised blanket face mask use in corridors, because the clinical advice is clear that Covid-secure measures like one-way corridors and ventilation can suffice. Schools have been working hard on this basis.
However, where schools judge that one-way corridors and ventilation will not suffice to stop crowding, it is open to schools implementing a face-coverings policy outside of classrooms. [25/08/2020, 10:04:17]