Researchers have also expressed concern about the possible burden of face masks during physical activity on pulmonary, circulatory and immune systems, due to oxygen reduction and air trapping reducing substantial carbon dioxide exchange. As a result of hypercapnia, there may be cardiac overload, renal overload, and a shift to metabolic acidosis (2).
Leading on from this, at least two children are known to have died whilst participating in exercise whilst wearing face masks (3). Commenting on this tragedy, Lindsay Bottoms, a reader in Exercise and Health Physiology at the University of Hertfordshire, said: “As you move from moderate to heavy exercise, you may be re-breathing carbon dioxide, which can reduce cognitive function and increase breathing rate (4).
She continued, "There are negligible levels of carbon dioxide in atmospheric air, [but when exercising] with the face mask on, it trebled to 3%. Bear in mind that the UK Health and Safety Executive – the government agency responsible for regulation and enforcement of workplace safety - advises that employees should not be exposed to 1.5% carbon dioxide for more than 15 minutes." (5)
It is therefore irrefutably clear that there is no justification at all to compel anyone - let alone young children - to wear face coverings during lengthy and strenuous exercise sessions, and that to do so can and has caused significant, and possibly severe and permanent, damage to health.
On a separate but related note, [venue name]'s exclusionary position, as per their "COVID policy", on those who cannot wear face masks, is highly discriminatory and likely illegal, as per the Disabilities Discrimination Act and the Equality Act 2010. Many people are unable to wear face coverings for medical reasons, and, as per the government guidelines, are not compelled by law to provide medical certification of this (6), which doctors have declared they will not provide (7).
For a business to refuse service to someone who is medically exempt from wearing a face mask, as [venue name]'s COVID policy clearly suggests they will do, represents a breach of the law, and businesses who breach this law may be liable for a fine of up to £5,000 and punitive damages of between £900 and £9,000, as per section 19 (Remedies) of the Equality Act 2010.
Given the policies of [venue name] are potentially gravely endangering the health of my child, as well as representing potentially unlawful discrimination, I will regrettably have no choice but to withdraw my child from your classes, unless and until these matters are resolved to my satisfaction and as a matter of urgency.
Please reply to this letter within 14 days of today's date, acknowledging my concerns and advising me of the further action you will be taking to ensure your business is both compliant with the law regarding disabilities discrimination, and how you will adjust your COVID policies to ensure you are prioritising and optimising your health and safety obligations to the children parents entrust into your care.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
[Name]
[Email address]
References:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32590322/
3) https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news/warning-over-serious-risks-wearing-4230560
4) https://theconversation.com/why-it-could-be-dangerous-to-exercise-with-a-face-mask-on-140277
5) https://www.hse.gov.uk/carboncapture/carbondioxide.htm
7) https://www.burtondocs.co.uk/2020/07/21/face-mask-exemption-letters-no-gp-medical-letter-needed/
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