Evening Standard comment: No 10 out of step again on masks for pupils

Events already appear to be running ahead of the Government in the latest controversy over the reopening of schools — the issue of whether senior pupils and teachers should or shouldn’t be wearing masks in corridors and communal areas. Today, Number 10’s continued insistence that no masks in school are necessary is in disarray, because secondary schools and trade unions are revolting against this advice. Scotland will require mask-wearing for secondary school students from Monday , in line with World Health Organisation guidance that states children aged 12 and above should wear a mask under the same conditions as adults, but England’s medical advisors — which has always been out of step with the rest of the world on mask wearing — continues to deem they are not necessary.

One large education provider— the 52-school Oasis Academy chain — has today followed Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s action by declaring that it will provide them for staff and pupils moving between classes in corridors and elsewhere. It appears likely that other schools will do the same — as studies suggest infection rates are higher in older children. Of course, masks should be prohibited as much as possible when children and teens are eating, playing sport or having lessons. There are also key allowances that need to be made around vulnerable children who may find wearing a mask extremely challenging and must be handled sensitively.

Yet Downing Street may well be forced both to think again over its guidance and then, not for the first time, belatedly follow Scotland’s example and U-turn. When clear medical advice is scant, common sense often prevails. Young people are socialising and exposing themselves to the risk of infection outside school, and it follows that there must be a danger of them spreading it when they’re passing close to each other in crowded corridors and communal areas and mixing with adult teachers.

Downing Street, not for the first time, seems likely to follow Scotland’s example

Nor does it make sense to require older children, who are capable of wearing masks with ease, to use face coverings on transport, in shops and in taxis, but not when they’re in similarly confined spaces in school. Focusing precautions instead on telling parents not to linger at the school gates seems to leave open the bigger threat of infection in schools, and resulting school closures. Which would be a disaster for all. And aside from combating infections, the biggest battle is assuring parents and pupils alike that schools are safe. And if wearing masks in corridors does that, then it seems a clear pay-off. Despite what No 10 thinks.

Good news on retail

An unexpected item in the bagging area this week: positive news on jobs. Of late, reading of mass cuts in every industry, from aviation to restaurants and retail, has become as much part of the daily routine as donning a mask. But Tesco has pledged to create 16,000 permanent jobs after a surge in online sales during lockdown has proved sustained. Retail sales figures from the CBI today showed grocers are one of the few retail sectors growing as a sales rally fuelled by pent-up demand fades.

Britain’s food retailers will need to keep doing their bit and hiring to stem the flow of jobs pain.