> poorly ventilated and inadequately sized classroom

BINGO. That's what has bothered me the most and I've talked a lot to my wife about what we can do to mitigate the risk.

> Neither she nor the children are allowed to wear masks or gloves

How is that enforceable? Seems like they shouldn't be allowed to mandate no masks given the documented health risks.

Because if they didn’t, they’d get pushback from teachers unions demanding schools provide masks (and soap, sanitizer, etc.). What most of America does not realize is how little money American schools on average spend on school supplies. Most teachers pay out of pocket for the majority of school supplies (on top of their already low pay). So as with most things that make no sense, it’s enforceable because there are people with significant sway up top that realize how much more money will be needed if they didn’t enforce it.

My wife is a teacher so I understand the situation intimately.

I do not see how saying "no one is allowed to wear as mask" as a policy is OK when someone can provider their own PPE.

I get it too. I used to teach, albeit in a different country. Several of my aunts, uncles, and cousins are teachers too. My answer was more geared towards everyone else who had the same question you had but can't see how upper management would logically justify such a response.

The crux of your question, though, is an ethical one and I think everyone knows the answer - it's not OK.

Sadly, money often trumps ethics in America and my response was an explanation as to why that happens. You will also see the very same people trot out ethics as justification for their actions when it benefits them (case in point, one reason for re-opening schools).

Your comment and question is a great one that everyone should be wondering. The next step is to get people to understand why the illogical is happening and who are making those decisions. That will point people towards confronting the right people in power with the right arguments to push for change.

My god thinks mouths and noses are ugly, hideous things that must not be seen. As such our religious cannon/traditions require the wearing of masks over the mouth and nose at all times.

Join us @ Maskbeterian.org (I only bought the domain today, give me a minute to stand up a shitty wordpress site)

This isn’t going to solve the problem entirely, but what about moving most instruction to the outdoors? Is this being considered anywhere?

I went to a private school for 1st+2nd grade (this is Michigan, in the 90s), and we were allowed to roam around unsupervised in the woods during recess. That includes the dead of winter. We built forts out of tree branches, constructed igloos and snow tunnel, etc. Occasionally we did outdoor lessons, like making a to-scale model of the solar system.

I’m not suggesting those activities necessarily, but it seems to me that there is the possibility of moving outdoors for a significant portion of the day. Even in the absence of a lesson plan, kids still get the benefit of social interaction, experiential learning, etc.

Having three young kids myself and a parent who is a teacher, I know how "gross" kids are first hand.

>Neither she nor the children are allowed to wear masks or gloves.

I understand why the children won't be wearing any PPE - my 3yo would never keep a mask on for more than 15 minutes. Why is your Wife not allowed to at minimum wear a mask?

because masks are now a political statement and some administrators are republicans

Has there been any districts/states/counties that have strictly forbid teachers from choosing to wear a mask?? I'm unaware of this but would find it terribly cruel.

At the start of the pandemic, there were hospitals that explicitly forbid doctors from wearing masks, going so far as to fire them. There was one just up I-5 from me which did just that.

When an idiot with authority decides to flex their bureaucratic muscles, the cruelty is the point.