Why Should Mask Mandates for Kids Under 5 Keep Rolling?
Carla Alaimo
It's reckless to ditch mask mandates in public spaces before getting every American vaccinated, especially considering that kids under 5 are more prone to severe COVID-19 symptoms and fatalities than older children. This leaves little ones and their parents in a tricky situation, forcing them to decide between working or shopping, potentially putting their young ones at risk of catching harmful viruses. By granting privileged individuals the freedom to ignore the well-being of vulnerable populations, we step further away from our nation's core values and create a society that can no longer tackle collective problems.
Although children under 5 account for a small share of COVID-19 cases, their mortality rate related to the virus is higher than older children, according to former Health Secretary Scott Gottlieb and the CDC. They bear responsibility for 10% of pediatric COVID-19 deaths, and 15% of surveys-conducted cases, but an appalling 35% of pediatric COVID-19 fatalities. These figures underscore the gravity of the situation. In the U.S., over 400 children under 5 have died from the virus—a sobering number unacceptable for any parent.
Moreover, plenty of parents, myself included, take additional precautions to protect their children due to concerns about the long-term effects of the virus. The CDC reveals that children infected with COVID-19 could be more susceptible to developing Diabetes in the future, and numerous studies suggest that many children who contracted COVID-19 suffer from persistent ailments. Dr. Sindhu Mohandas, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, estimated that between 10-20% of infected children might encounter long-term health issues.
As a registered nurse, my husband has battled COVID-19 patients since the pandemic started. To safeguard our children, he moved to a different part of our home, missing out on time with our eldest daughter so she remained COVID-19-free. But now, after all the sacrifices we made, I find myself grappling with the possibility of exposing my daughters to this virus because others just choose not to wear masks.
Critics argue that people should still have the freedom to decide whether or not to wear masks, failing to recognize the danger. For children under 2, including my daughters, masks are not recommended due to choking risks. Even with masks, adults and older children still face a risk of infection, particularly in light of the highly contagious Omicron variant.
By lifting mask mandates, we isolate young children and their parents, who wish to safeguard their kids from infection, from public spaces. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 39,000 women re-entered the workforce in January, compared to over 1 million men.
Considering the increased vulnerability of children under 5 to severe COVID-19 symptoms, it is irresponsible to prematurely remove mask mandates. Besides, this action sets a concerning trend. Ignoring problems doesn't make them disappear.
Politicians often base their decisions on public opinion and personal ambitions. However, local school districts and private businesses should have the courage to maintain mask mandates until vaccines are available for everyone.
While some individuals disregard mask-wearing guidelines, citing their personal beliefs, this attitude puts vulnerable populations like children under 5 and those with comorbidities at risk.
This individualistic mindset—that people should do what feels best for them, regardless of the impact on others' health and social opportunities—is detrimental to our society. As a political scientist, I can't help but bring attention to Alexis de Tocqueville's observation in Democracy in America that America thrives due to the individual spirit of its citizens—their ability to unite for collective problem-solving.
Lifting mask mandates would, indeed, have the opposite effect. This would lead to the spread of the virus and hamper its containment. In turn, it would breed a society driven by egoism, making it more challenging for any problem to be solved—certainly not an environment suitable for raising children.
Still, despite the CDC's continued advocacy for mask-wearing, the decision to lift mask mandates relies on community involvement and proactive efforts by local school districts and businesses to maintain safety measures. A combined approach allows us to balance the needs of young children with the desire to return to normalcy.
