by Kerry Dougherty
Everyone knows that wearing a mask all day is unpleasant.
Recent studies – one in the U.S., another larger study out of Germany — concluded that masks are actually unhealthy for children. Unsurprisingly, the mainstream media ignored the findings.
Fortunately, The Federalist didn’t:
The JAMA report measured averages of 13,120 to 13,910 ppm of carbon dioxide in the inhaled air of children wearing masks, which is over six times higher than the unsafe threshold. The study further pointed out this measurement was after only three minutes of wearing a mask. Children forced to wear masks at school find themselves wearing masks for hours, five days a week.
Apparently, so did the CDC.
Last week that agency unveiled its guidelines for schools and recommended that unvaccinated children be masked all day in school — except when outside — which means elementary school kids who are too young to be vaccinated will most likely be sporting face diapers this fall.
In states that slavishly follow CDC guidance, that is. At least eight states have passed measures outlawing mask mandates.
But before states rush to comply with the CDC, it’s worth remembering that the health organization doesn’t make RULES, it offers RECOMMENDATIONS. Governors are not obliged to obey.
States and school districts can ignore the guidelines. And they should.
Last year we were told that children were being masked to protect their teachers. But as soon as vaccines became available, teachers leapfrogged over seniors and cancer patients to get theirs.
So the narrative changed.
Kids are being ordered into masks in school allegedly because of the more contagious variants, even though they, too, cause a mild illness in children. Oh, and most folks who are vulnerable to COVID have been vaccinated.
Enough already.
Why shouldn’t we ignore the masking rules just like we ignore so many other CDC recommendations?
Think about it.
There’s the CDC’s guideline to cook eggs until they’re hard as rocks, for instance.
And the CDC’S aversion to all sorts of dough:
Do not taste or eat any raw dough or batter, whether for cookies, tortillas, pizza, biscuits, pancakes, or crafts, made with raw flour, such as homemade play dough or holiday ornaments.
Shoot, the CDC says children should not even TOUCH raw dough.
Do not let children play with or eat raw dough, including dough for crafts.
We all know that we’re not supposed to eat rare or medium rare meat. The CDC wants us to consume beef that’s been cooked into submission.
And sushi?
The CDC suggests that no one over 65 should eat raw fish.
Oh, and here’s a guideline that roughly 60% of Americans ignore: The CDC says we shouldn’t be kissing our dogs and cats or sleeping with them.
Our review suggests that persons, especially young children …should be discouraged from sharing their bed with their pets or regularly kissing their pets. Any area licked by a pet, especially for children …should be immediately washed with soap and water.
Look, the CDC does not make public policy. It offers suggestions.
Let’s thank the CDC for its suggestions, keep kissing our dogs and make masks optional for school kids.
