A chara, – As the nation blindly rolls into a second week of our children’s faces being masked in primary school, I beg for pause.
As a play therapist and social worker I am currently experiencing a daily dread as we unbelievably ignore the essential role of our faces; for connection, for communication, for emotional regulation, for learning, for play.
This essential role is more significant with decreasing age. Lest we forget the infant experiencing all of its world through the face of the mother.
The recent recommendations of our Government is further disproportionately burdening our children, their communities and future.
Our faces are not disposable. The short-term harm is evident and long-term harm unfathomable. – Yours, etc,
LIZ BARRAGRY,
Kinsealy,
Co Dublin.