# Judge rules against school mask mandates, Chicago Public Schools to ignore order? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** factual, covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [February 6, 2022, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-rules-against-school-mask-mandates-chicago-public-schools-to-ignore-order/958998 "2022-02-06T14:33:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2022, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-rules-against-school-mask-mandates-chicago-public-schools-to-ignore-order/958998/21 "2022-02-22T05:14:05Z")
The jury is still out regarding masking children in school. [The Case Against Masks at School - The Atlantic](https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/01/kids-masks-schools-weak-science/621133/) ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2022, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-rules-against-school-mask-mandates-chicago-public-schools-to-ignore-order/958998/22 "2022-02-22T05:37:24Z")
And if one jury doesn’t give you the verdict you are looking for, you just shop for one that will. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2022, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-rules-against-school-mask-mandates-chicago-public-schools-to-ignore-order/958998/23 "2022-02-22T05:45:26Z")
The World Health Organization does not recommend masking schoolchildren. ---
**Author:** ![duality72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duality72/32/3910_2.png) [@duality72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duality72)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2022, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-rules-against-school-mask-mandates-chicago-public-schools-to-ignore-order/958998/24 "2022-02-22T06:35:27Z")
[Incorrect.](https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/q-a-children-and-masks-related-to-covid-19) ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2022, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-rules-against-school-mask-mandates-chicago-public-schools-to-ignore-order/958998/25 "2022-02-22T06:38:24Z")
From your own cite: “Children aged **5 years and under** should not be required to wear masks.” Children from 6-11, it depends. However, Illinois is requiring all children over 2 to wear masks. ---
**Author:** ![duality72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duality72/32/3910_2.png) [@duality72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duality72)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2022, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-rules-against-school-mask-mandates-chicago-public-schools-to-ignore-order/958998/26 "2022-02-22T06:47:53Z")
So you agree that WHO recommends masking schoolchildren, practically all of them, in certain cases. Interesting. (Hint: 5 years and under are mostly not schoolchildren. 6 and up are.) ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2022, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-rules-against-school-mask-mandates-chicago-public-schools-to-ignore-order/958998/27 "2022-02-22T06:54:23Z")
You’ve never heard of preschool and kindergarten? Under 6 years old. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2022, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-rules-against-school-mask-mandates-chicago-public-schools-to-ignore-order/958998/28 "2022-02-22T08:29:52Z")
So WHO recommends that the _vast majority_ of school children wear masks, right? ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2022, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-rules-against-school-mask-mandates-chicago-public-schools-to-ignore-order/958998/29 "2022-02-22T12:24:12Z")
Not really, the WHO recommends that parents of children 5-11 follow local laws, and says that whether or not it makes sense for local laws to require masks depends on a lot of factors (most of which do favor mask use in the US, but not all ) If i had to give a very brief summary, i would say the WHO makes no strong recommendation regarding masks on kids 5-11. The WHO also recommends that children 12+ be treated like adults for the purpose of mask rules. ---
**Author:** ![Tfletch1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tfletch1/32/5340_2.png) [@Tfletch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tfletch1)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2022, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-rules-against-school-mask-mandates-chicago-public-schools-to-ignore-order/958998/30 "2022-02-22T13:50:39Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > The jury is still out regarding masking children in school. > > [The Case Against Masks at School - The Atlantic](https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/01/kids-masks-schools-weak-science/621133/) Even your own cite emphasizes age and the fact that very young children can’t be relied upon to wear a mask correctly. > The CDC [guidance](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-guidance.html) on school masking is far-reaching, recommending “universal indoor masking by all students (age 2 and older), staff, teachers, and visitors to K–12 schools, regardless of vaccination status.” In contrast, many countries—the U.K., Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and others—have not taken the U.S.’s approach, and instead follow World Health Organization guidelines, which [recommend](https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/question-and-answers-hub/q-a-detail/q-a-children-and-masks-related-to-covid-19) against masking children ages 5 and younger, because this age group is at low risk of illness, because masks are not “in the overall interest of the child,” and because many children are unable to wear masks properly. Even for children ages 6 to 11, the WHO does not routinely recommend masks, because of the “potential impact of wearing a mask on learning and psychosocial development.” The WHO also explicitly counsels against masking children during physical activities, including running and jumping at the playground, so as not to compromise breathing. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2022, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-rules-against-school-mask-mandates-chicago-public-schools-to-ignore-order/958998/31 "2022-02-22T13:58:40Z")
ETA: Eh, this was more pit like. See y’all there… ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2022, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-rules-against-school-mask-mandates-chicago-public-schools-to-ignore-order/958998/32 "2022-02-22T14:00:55Z")
Moderating: @JohnT , [details of note redacted, since the post was] Never mind, you figured it out and edited within the edit window. Good choice. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2022, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-rules-against-school-mask-mandates-chicago-public-schools-to-ignore-order/958998/33 "2022-02-22T14:01:56Z")
Yeah, upon reflection (and seeing the forum), I withdrew the comment. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2022, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-rules-against-school-mask-mandates-chicago-public-schools-to-ignore-order/958998/34 "2022-02-22T15:29:29Z")
> [@duality72](#): > > 5 years and under are mostly not schoolchildren. > [@D\_Anconia](#): > > You’ve never heard of preschool and kindergarten? Preschoolers != schoolchildren. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2022, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-rules-against-school-mask-mandates-chicago-public-schools-to-ignore-order/958998/35 "2022-02-22T15:39:44Z")
Under the governor’s mandate, pre-K is specifically defined as “School”. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2022, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-rules-against-school-mask-mandates-chicago-public-schools-to-ignore-order/958998/36 "2022-02-22T15:54:49Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > The World Health Organization does not recommend masking schoolchildren. Still, you have to say that this is false, right? I mean, come on. If I said that 1+1 = 3 and someone came through and showed me that it’s 2, at some point, I just have to agree that they’re right. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2022, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-rules-against-school-mask-mandates-chicago-public-schools-to-ignore-order/958998/37 "2022-02-22T17:40:28Z")
I will say that the WHO was opposed to masks at the start of the pandemic, and fought the idea that COVID was airborne. As best as I can tell, this was mostly because they didn’t want to impose expensive restrictions on member countries that couldn’t afford masks and proper ventilation in medical facilities. There was also some weird medical received wisdom that “airborne” particles need to be a lot smaller than the WHO’s own pollution people defined “airborne” pollutants. I don’t really put much faith in the WHO regarding anything in this pandemic. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2022, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-rules-against-school-mask-mandates-chicago-public-schools-to-ignore-order/958998/38 "2022-02-22T18:19:41Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I don’t really put much faith in the WHO regarding anything in this pandemic. Maybe @D_Anconia should use them as a source, especially use them as a source for his own incorrect interpretations, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2022, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-rules-against-school-mask-mandates-chicago-public-schools-to-ignore-order/958998/39 "2022-02-22T18:29:01Z")
How about the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control? They recommend against masks for those 12 and younger. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2022, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-rules-against-school-mask-mandates-chicago-public-schools-to-ignore-order/958998/40 "2022-02-22T18:40:15Z")
“Hi everybody! Sorry for my earlier error about the WHO and masks for schoolchildren. Thanks for pointing that out.” Do you that’s something you could do before we look at your next non-cite? I say non-cite because there’s no link in your post. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-rules-against-school-mask-mandates-chicago-public-schools-to-ignore-order/958998.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-rules-against-school-mask-mandates-chicago-public-schools-to-ignore-order/958998.md?page=3)