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My child is unable to wear a face mask. What should I do when we are in public?

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  • First, remember that those who are in the home setting with their usual household members don’t need to wear a mask (children included) provided that no individuals have been recently exposed to a person with COVID-19. Face masks are intended for use once leaving the home and going out in public, particularly in situations where social distancing (staying at least 6 feet apart from others) may be difficult. If any family member is sick with fever or respiratory symptoms, they should wear a face mask to protect other household members.
  • If your child is too young or unable to cooperate with wearing a mask in public, aim to keep them at least 6 feet away from others, and redirect them to avoid making contact with surfaces (e.g. playground equipment, water fountains, etc.) that could harbor the virus. For very young children who may not be able to understand why they can’t run up towards other people or touch things that they shouldn’t, it may be best to keep them at home or in spaces away from other people or common surfaces.
  • If you must go outside or to a place where you’re unable to socially distance with an infant, cover the infant carrier with a blanket, which helps protect the baby but still gives them the ability to breath comfortably. Do not leave the blanket on the carrier in the car or any time when the baby is not being supervised.
  • Children with severe intellectual or respiratory impairments may not be able to tolerate a face mask for long, so special precautions may be needed for these children, including monitoring with a pulse oximeter if available and/or keeping a greater physical distance from others outside the home.

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