Coronavirus: Missouri’s new guidelines suggest children over 2 should wear masks at daycare

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — People wearing masks have become a common sight during the coronavirus pandemic. In Missouri, it is now recommended that children age 2 and older should also wear face coverings while at daycare facilities or at school.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend masks for anyone younger than 2 because of suffocation risks. But try keeping a mask on a preschooler. It is not easy.

"How am I supposed to explain to my 4-year-old that she's going to be required to wear a mask eight hours a day, five days a week, 40 hours?" Ceara Layne, whose daughter attends Montessori Academy in Kansas City, told WDAF. "That's a lot for a 4-year-old."

Holly Beyer, who has owned Montessori Academy for 20 years, said she understands the parents’ frustration. She also has to deal with rule changes that have gone into effect since COVID-19 became a pandemic. She has stepped up cleaning and has put up signs to remind students and parents to be careful.

"We get something from the state, probably three times a week, twice a week, something like that," Beyer told WDAF. "It is pretty overwhelming."

The new rules for Missouri state that at daycare facilities, "children 2 years and older, and staff, should wear masks as much as possible."

"Even for the teachers, I think just remembering to keep it all (on) when they're talking to the children," Beyer told WDAF. "I have a tendency to pull it off just because I'm not used to wearing them myself."

Layne said she tells her daughter that masks are a positive thing, and wearing one helps in the global effort against coronavirus.

"I think that the more the parents wear (masks), the easier it will be for us because they will start getting used to seeing that," Beyer told WDAF.

Beyer said she is still trying to adapt.

“Some of the things, you just say, ‘How can you do it? No more than 10 children in the classroom?'” she told the television station. “Well, if all of our children come back, that will be a challenge.”

The CDC has tutorials for the proper wearing of masks, which should be smaller for toddlers. Here is a pattern for small faces, or an Etsy page where you can just buy one.