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Up until this week, face coverings weren’t required for kids under the age of 12.
Now, any child in kindergarten or above should wear one both in public and inside a school building. For kids ages 2 to 4, face masks are expected, but not required.
“In many ways, we had underestimated the ability for kids to tolerate face coverings,” said Dr. Karyl Rattay, Delaware director of public health. “And also recognizing really there are very few children for whom there’s a medical exemption from wearing face coverings.”
Any child who can’t wear a mask for medical reasons is still exempt. Children under the age of 2 do not have to wear one either.
Everyone else is fair game.
“The reality is, I think everywhere we go now we’re seeing a lot of children, especially young children, comfortably and without worry wearing face coverings,” said Rattay. “They really are just able to tolerate them with no problem.”
She said recent studies on masks and children, including one by the American Academy of Pediatrics, led them to make this decision. They also received encouraging feedback from teachers.
“We felt it was pertinent to help these teachers and these kids in these settings, so that is why you’re seeing this change,” Rattay explained.
“The evidence could not be more clear that wearing face coverings is the best thing we can all do to keep our communities healthy,” added Gov. John Carney. “I know masks can be uncomfortable at times for children and adults. But if we stay vigilant and work together, we’ll continue to make real progress against this virus.”
Health officials say most infections among children ages 5 to 10 are mild, and the spread from this age group is low. However, spread can still occur, and masks can help prevent that from happening.