A Look at DESE's Cited Sources: Footnote #26 - COVID-19: Recommendations for School Reopening

DESE Claim: "Students in grade 2 and above are required to wear a mask/face covering that covers their nose and mouth. Students in kindergarten and grade 1 should be encouraged to wear a mask/face covering."

Cited Source: http://www.sickkids.ca/PDFs/About-SickKids/81407-COVID19-Recommendations-for-School-Reopening-SickKids.pdf (if masks are worn incorrectly, they may increase infection risk). See also: https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/documents/ncov/covid-wwksf/what-we-know-public-masks-apr-7-2020.pdf?la=en

Peer Reviewed?: No (hospital publication)

Study Methodology: N/A - public-aimed health information from a hospital.

Notes: This document is comprised of the medical guidance from one hospital in Canada for the return to school. " [...] it is anticipated that there will likely be an increase in cases of COVID-19 upon the resumption of school and as such, the appropriate measures should be proactively put in place to mitigate the effects of such an increase." In other words, all the recommended safeguards can mitigate but not eliminate an increase in cases from the return to school. The document recommends scheduling at least 5 hand hygiene times per day. This particular hospital is not recommending that children wear face masks in school. " It is recognized that some parents and children may choose to wear masks. This is a personal choice and should not be discouraged. To this end, equitable access to non-medical masks in the school setting is an important consideration." The document says staff should not be required wear masks either, contradicting many of the other DESE sources which state that masks are highly effective. 

Supports DESE Claim?: Evidence is not grade level specific and no sources are given for some of the medical claims in the source.