Wearing Masks From The Age Of 6 To Counter The Spread Of Covid-19 In French Schools

The start of the school year in September 2020 in France, during the COVID-19 pandemic, was accompanied by debates on the value of wearing masks in primary school. This work discusses the interest of wearing masks from the age of 6, in the light of the scientific knowledge updated until early November 2020 and of French specificities.Literature shows that children are contaminated and account for at least 11% of COVID-19 cases. This rate is increasing: it was lower in studies carried out during periods of confinement, school holidays or low circulation of the virus. Children are contaminants for all age groups. Nowadays, there is no scientific data supporting a risk associated with children wearing a mask. The risk-benefit balance is therefore clearly in favour of the generalised use of masks for children. The compulsory wearing of masks by children, whatever their age (from the age of 6 in schools), can only be more effective than no measures at all.