Japan education minister asks children to remove masks as heatstroke risk rises

6 comments

1. It sounds nice, but this bit right here in the last paragraph:

   “At the press conference, Suematsu emphasized that children should be told to remove their masks when going to and from school, but that they also need to avoid talking on the way.”

   Shows that Japan is still close yet so far.

2. I work part-time at an elementary school. Yesterday I watched as kids taking PE class practiced a relay race in 30-degree sunny weather with masks on.

   I’ll have to see if PE kids are unmasked by this time next week, or if the new guidelines will be ignored in favour of quelling the fears of monster parents.

3. My area had pediatric hospital ICUs with ventilators full due to a common cold virus last summer. Overuse of masks isn’t some free, problem solved thing people believe it to be. The milder viruses are hitting harder due to immature immune systems that haven’t been exposed to nearly as many things.

4. Japan has problems with heat stroke every year. Drink more water!

5. Why don’t more schools in Japan have aircon and not do outdoor sports in the middle of the day?

6. How thick is the damn mask if it’s giving you heat stroke?

   Maybe don’t exercise in the sun and heat during the hottest parts of the day (i.e. most of it) and/or shell out for air-conditioned gyms.

   And since they are going to force the kids in the sun regardless, mandatory water breaks during PE and club activities. Let the kids use ice packs, fans, etc.