Wearing the mask compulsory in elementary school: Open letter from the collective of parents of Saint-Barth and Saint-Martin to the vice-rector, Mr. Sanz

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As has undoubtedly been brought to your attention, many parents of Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin were moved by the provisions and measures relating to the decree of February 12, 2021 relating, in particular, to the wearing of the obligatory mask at the school from the age of 6 in our territories.

It is in this context, and to echo the concerns of 1st degree parents with regard to these measures, that a petition was launched on Friday, February 19, 2021.

For your information, you will find the full text of this petition online at the following address:

https://www.mesopinions.com/petition/enfants/sxm-refus-port-masque-enfants-6/127882

Already totaling more than 22 signatures on Monday February 2021, 17 at 00:1000 p.m., we consider ourselves very legitimate in our approach.

As we have been able to express, we fully understand the will of the public authorities to contain the epidemic by all means. However, we know that the benefit of wearing a mask by children remains to be demonstrated, while the disadvantages or risks are clearly established, in particular by the WHO.

If this benefit / risk balance justifies taking such decisions on metropolitan territory, we are convinced that our insularity as well as the peculiarities of our islands, particularly in terms of climate and health, justify adaptations.

In the current circumstances, the obligation to wear a mask for children under eleven, in our two islands, generates too much reluctance, stress, and health and social difficulties, not very conducive to education, learning and a peaceful social climate. Teaching, education and management staff, who are very aware of psychosocial and health risks, must be more consulted and heard in order to prevent said risks in an appropriate and effective manner, but in no case should this be done by obligation wearing masks for our children.

We are convinced that Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin would benefit from not requiring the wearing of masks for children under 11 years old.  We are therefore addressing you, Mr. Rector, in order to request your intervention and your support for the implementation of specific measures in our territories, as it may have been the case since May 11, 2020, without otherwise that this does not generate peaks in contamination, the situation being particularly well managed by our professionals and local managers.

We thank you, Mr. Rector, for your interest in our request. We remain at your disposal to discuss this subject.

The Parents' Collective of Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin

momsxm@protonmail.com

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