Coronavirus: Paediatrics head brands complaining parents ‘spoiled’

Children are very cooperative when it is explained to them why they need to wear a face mask, head of the Makarios hospital’s paediatrics clinic Dr Avraam Elia said on Monday criticising parents reacting to this measure, as spoiled.

Elia told state broadcaster CyBC that this type of reaction against decisions by the competent state bodies such as the health ministry and its advisory committee were unjustified.

Parents, he added, instead of joining forces to keep schools open so that they don’t close for a third year put forth baseless reactions. “I draw the conclusion we are dealing with a coddled society,” Elia.

He said many countries have introduced the measure of obligatory mask use in schools and argued that parents don’t seem to even mind that their children spend hours daily on their mobile phones and tablets playing games, ignoring the impact of such activities but choose to attack the face mask.

Citing his experience, he said children with health issues go to the hospital with their masks on without any problems.

“They come with their masks, using them the right way, as they were taught, to protect their health but also that of others,” Elia said

He said exemptions apply for some groups such as children with serious respiratory issues, with autistic disorders and with psychokinetic disabilities.

Elia also said there is no evidence-based scientific survey leading to the conclusion that the wide use of masks by children or rapid tests could affect their health.

On the contrary, he added, there is no scientific society around the world not recommending the use of masks as an additional protection measure against the pandemic, or for rapid tests.

He called on those who claim the opposite to present evidence-based studies that prove otherwise.