Kids' face masks: all you need to know
Your child needs a comfortable face mask made with their specific proportions in mind. Fortunately, you can easily find many nice sizes and styles online.
Fears that children could serve as super-spreaders of coronavirus are at the center of a heated debate about whether or not to reopen schools in person this month and next month and with a requirement for a face mask as cases continue to rise across the country. Whether or not your kids are going back to a physical classroom this year, the CDC recommends face masks or face covers for anyone two years and older, and it's important to find one that fits well.
Children were once thought to have a lower risk of infection than their parents, but there are some documented cases in children with COVID-19-related disease, resembling Kawasaki disease, which is concerning and asymptomatic children can still pass the virus on to high-risk groups who can become seriously ill or die. Read on to see what to look for when shopping for a kid's face mask and browse some unique and even fun styles made especially for their smaller faces. This story is updated often.
Most important things to know when buying kids face masks
- If they wear glasses, consider styles that go around the back of the head or neck, rather than ear loops. Also, a contoured face mask can work best with glasses.
- If your child has breathing problems, such as asthma, the CDC recommends not wearing a face mask.
- Is your child active? Some companies use a lightweight, moisture-wicking fabric face mask, such as cotton, that is better suited to the summer heat.
- We recommend buying several face masks that your child can twist while the others are being washed.
- If the face mask does end up making your child's ears sore, here are recommendations for making it more comfortable.
