Psychologists sign a forum to warn about the harmful effects of wearing a mask by adults on the development of babies and very young children.

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ISA HARSIN / SIPA

A column published in Le Figaro and signed by many psychologists, warns about the long-term effects of wearing a mask by adults on babies.

The text called "Babies in the face of masks: chronicle of an announced disaster" is not very optimistic.

The author of the forum, the neuropsychiatrist Boris Cyrulnik explains that wearing a mask in adults prevents them "from expressing the subtle nuance of relational intentions" or even from developing their emotions.

This would represent "an insidious mental load on the baby".

According to him, it is not because the children seem to "adapt well" that the situation will not have consequences on their development.

Already short and long term studies

To support his point, Boris Cyrulnik relays the study by Chinese researchers published in June 2020 on the long-term effects of the 2003 SARS pandemic on the development of 15,000 children aged 0 to 15 years.

These include "significant language, motor and social delays, and even a reduction in weight curves" especially in children under 4 years.

They also stress that “masks interfere with non-verbal communication between children and adults, promoting psychosocial impacts by weakening social and cognitive bonds”.

In the short term already, the first undesirable effects would be felt.

Thus, the University of Grenoble published in January 2021 a study on the effects of wearing a mask since the first confinement.

Here again, professionals note that “language interactions are poorer”.

Transparent masks and priority vaccinations

In order to overcome this problem, the speech therapist association Parol84 launched a petition last October so that staff caring for young children can benefit from fully transparent masks.

In response, the state had released 500,000 euros for "smile masks".

A measure not suitable for professionals because of the semi-transparency of the mask and its short lifespan.

The psychologists of the forum recommend four other measures: vaccinate as a priority the early childhood staff, organize time without a mask outside while respecting safety distances and indoors when the adult is alone with the child.

Finally, to promote these moments without a mask, psychologists encourage professionals to physically separate from each other.

The forum has been signed by hundreds of psychologists and institutions.

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