‘Masks in class is alien… dystopian’: The Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson hits out at children wearing face coverings, saying their learning shouldn’t be ‘sacrificed’ to save the NHS
- Julia Donaldson, 73, said she felt masks in schools were becoming normalised
- She feared the impact that they would have on children’s education
- The former secondary school English teacher said learning should not be sacrificed to keep NHS safe
The author of much-loved kids’ book The Gruffalo has labelled the decision to make pupils to wear face masks in the classroom ‘dystopian’.
Julia Donaldson, 73, said she felt that face coverings in schools were becoming normalised and feared the impact it would have on children’s education.
The former secondary school English teacher and children’s laureate said that learning should not be ‘sacrificed’ to keep the NHS safe.
She told The Times: ‘Even if the current proposals are only for three weeks, this could be repeated and become something considered normal whenever there is infection, whereas in fact it should not be considered normal, it is alien – even dystopian.
Julia Donaldson, 73, said she felt that face coverings in schools were becoming normalised and feared the impact it would have on children’s education
‘Children are children for such a short time, I don’t think they should be sacrificed like this.
‘[Masks are] seen as a gesture that isn’t costing the government any money and as something that is not doing any harm.
‘Because of the climate of fear, people have readily accepted something I regard as unacceptable, and that I fear may now be seen as a normal part of life.’
She added: ‘You don’t have to be right-wing [to oppose masks in schools]. I know a lot of people who are passionately anti-lockdown because they’re very sympathetic to the plight of lonely and vulnerable people or those with mental
The government has already admitted that the evidence for the benefits of masks in schools is not ‘conclusive’, although studies show they may help reduce transmission.
A Department for Education spokesman said that masks decision ‘was based on the latest scientific evidence and public health advice given current transmission rates of the Omicron variant, and we will review the advice on face coverings on January 26 and will not keep them in place a day longer than is necessary.’
The government has already admitted that the evidence for the benefits of masks in schools is not ‘conclusive’, although studies show they may help reduce transmission
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