This is the first Comment under Jeff Childers post today:

Thank you for your work. I look forward to your posts every morning. As a 17 year elementary teaching assistant, I can’t begin to tell you the devastation the masks are causing. I don’t think anyone realizes how dangerous this is. We have an unbelievable increase in behavioral problems because no one can see the visual cues on the face (I routinely wear mine around my chin because it makes a huge difference in diffusing conflict). I challenge anyone to teach the “th” sound, new vocabulary, letter sounds, etc. with a mask on. Really, put a mask on and try it with a friend. Make sure ypi are at least 6 feet apart and further since that’s the reality in the classroom. (Try a word you don’t know how to pronounce and don’t know the meaning from the dictionary…idiots in charge).

My biggest concern, however, is the physical harm. The masks are soaking wet within the first hour. The kids pull them down to drink water, snack, etc. and they are chock full of dirty bodily fluids. The most sinister part if this is the long term damage from inhaling flame retardants that are in the fabrics, polyester and cotton fibers, dyes, laundry detergent residues and fabric softener residues. This literally keeps me awake at night. Who would trade a chance for lung cancer or lung disease for covid? This has not been thought through. Since you are an attorney, is it possible to stop this by going after the manufacturers of ALL masks on the market (all the way through the supply chain including the added dyes, flame retardants and fibers) and the big corporations that make laundry detergents? I believe they have an obligation to the consumer that their product is safe for the lungs. I’m terrified that my children (and the adults including myself that are forced to wear these all day) are unknowingly at risk for something much worse than Covid.

Many of us are experiencing headaches and burning throats at the end of the day. My students are masked for the entire day (including 50 minutes of PE in a hot gym) except 30 minutes at lunch. Add to that the bus ride home. I find it appalling that adults are at restaurants, bars, football games, etc unmasked while my students can’t even take theirs off at their desk. Please, there must be a way to insure the safety of our children.