A collective of 183 parents from Maine-et-Loire demand the suspension of the measure.
A group of 183 parents from Maine-et-Loire, opposed to the wearing of a compulsory mask for 6-11 year olds, has filed an interim relief before the Council of State to request the suspension of this measure.
The request, which makes it possible to urgently seize the administrative judge when it is considered that the State infringes a fundamental freedom, was filed on December 21 by the collective “Questions-Masks-Children 49», Who is worried about the consequences of this measure, decided on October 29, on the physical and mental health of 6-11 year olds.
In response, the Council of State asked the government to justify its decision and the Ministry of Health justified this choice on January 6 by the current epidemic context, stressing that if 6-11 year olds are less exposed to contamination by virus, “however, they are not immune and remain contaminants».
The ministry points out that the appearance of a British variant of the virus, more transmissible, leaves “fear a significant risk of infection in children“, And concludes that”there is no particular risk for people who wear the mask even though it is effective in reducing the risk of contamination».
Read also :Covid-19: at least eight positive cases for the English variant in Marseille
Questioned by AFP, Me Bertrand Salquain, lawyer for the applicants, believes that “the health usefulness of the mask at school is not proven among 6-11 year olds, little involved in the chain of transmission of Covid-19“. He underlines that the WHO conditions the wearing of the mask on the evaluation of its impact. “However, in France, no official evaluation has been carried out», He observes. “We relied on medical literature, testimonials from health professionals and parents, as well as a German study from Witten / Herdecke University on 25,000 children which reported fatigue, irritability, anxiety, headaches and difficulties. learning», He explains.
«We do not question the government’s health policy but we want to highlight the disproportionate nature of this measure for 6-11 year olds“, Believes Cédric Sturtz, member of the collective. He claims in particular “a debate on the usefulness of this measure and on the criteria for its maintenance or its lifting».
According to Me Salquain, the Council of State is expected to issue its conclusions this week.
To see also – How the coronavirus is spread in schools
– .
