By the evening of 26.10.2020, one week after the registry went online, 20,353 people had already taken part in the survey, with 48,657 entries. Of the survey participants, 17,854 (87.7%) were parents, 736 (3.6%) were teachers, 352 (1.7%) were doctors, and 1,411 (6.9%) were "others" (Figure S3 in the Online Supplement shows the analysis set of the entries of the first week). This article reports on the 17,854 entering parents with a total of 25,930 children and youth. The data of the entering doctors, teachers and other roles are published separately.
Of the 17,854 entering parents, 6,877 (38.5%) stated that they had a university degree (bachelor, master, master's degree, diploma, state examination, doctorate), 671 (3.8%) had a master craftsman, 3,704 (20.7%) had completed an apprenticeship and 3,040 (17.0%) had a high school diploma (general qualification for university entrance) or subject-related higher education entrance qualification or technical college entrance qualification. 2,509 (14.1%) of the participants stated that their highest educational level was a secondary school leaving certificate (In Germany: Mittlere Reife, Fachoberschulereife or similar), 327 participants (1.8%) had a secondary modern school leaving certificate, and 31 participants (0.2%) stated that they had no school or training qualification. The remaining did not enter an education. The participation of contributors per state corresponds to the distribution of the population (Figure 1).
The demographic situation of the children and previous illnesses among the children from the parents' point of view are shown in Table 1: the genders are equally represented with a slight trend towards boys; and 55.6% of the children were between 7-12 years of age. In 79.4% of the children it was stated that they had no previous illnesses, 5.9% had asthma and 1.8% had another lung disease. Furthermore, there was the possibility of free text entries on other previous illnesses, which was used by 8.6%.
Table 1: Demography and pre-existing conditions of children
|
|
Total age group
|
Age group 0-6 years
|
Age group 7-12 years
|
Age group 13-18 years
|
Test for difference
|
|
Age group n (%)
|
25 926* (100%)
|
4 002 (15.4%)
|
14 407 (55.6%)
|
7 517 (29.0%)
|
|
Gender
|
Male
|
12 589 (48.5%)
|
1 880 (47.0%)
|
7 027 (48.8%)
|
3 682 (49.0%)
|
p = 0.0002
|
Female
|
12 248 (47.2%)
|
1 899 (47.5%)
|
6 790 (47.1%)
|
3 559 (47.3%)
|
Divers
|
62 (0.2%)
|
13 (0.3%)
|
32 (0.2%)
|
17 (0.2%)
|
Without specification
|
1 031* (4.0%)
|
210 (5.2%)
|
558 (3.9%)
|
259 (3.4%)
|
Pre-existing conditions
|
No previous illnesses
|
20 586 (79.4%)
|
3 400 (85.0%)
|
11 606 (80.6%)
|
5 580 (74.2%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
Asthma
|
1 541 (5.9%)
|
123 (3.1%)
|
801 (5.6%)
|
617 (8.2%)
|
Other lung diseases
|
458 (1.8%)
|
50 (1.2%)
|
251 (1.7%)
|
157 (2.1%)
|
Other previous illnesses (free text input)
|
2 232 (8.6%)
|
233 (5.8%)
|
1 178 (8.2%)
|
821 (10.9%)
|
Not specified
|
1 110 (4.3%)
|
196 (4.9%)
|
571 (4.0%)
|
343 (4.5%)
|
* for four children the age specification is missing.
|
Table 2 presents the situation of wearing masks with the children and whether any form of impairment from parents view was present. When asked about the situations in which the children wear a mask, 81.1% of the survey participants answered that the child wears the mask at school outside of class, i.e. during breaks and in the corridors, 48.6% also stated that the child also wears the mask in class at the seat during lessons. 68.5% of the children recorded wearing the mask in stores and 39% on the way to school 4.6% of the children never wear a mask.A mask exemption certificate had been granted to 6.7% of the registered children and youth. The average length of time the mask was worn varies greatly with age; it averaged 4.5 hours per day, and was much higher, especially among youth (13-18 years), averaging 6 hours (Table 2). In 16 913 children (65.2%) it was reported that fabric masks were worn, followed by surgical masks. FPP masks are hardly worn by children.
Regarding the question as to whether children themselves complain about impairments caused by wearing the mask, 67.7% of the respondents answered yes for their children; 26% answered no. The question as to whether the respondents themselves observed an impairment of the child by wearing the mask was answered yes in 66.1% (Table 2). The assessment of the health impairment is shown in Table 3. Four percent had no opinion when asked about their personal attitude to the government's corona protection measures, 11.7% of the participants thought that the measures should be more stringent, 11.0% considered the current measures appropriate and good and 41.7% were in favor of milder measures. A further 31.6% expressed a different opinion than the setting option specified in the selection option. In general, they described the policy measures as inappropriate, incomprehensible and undifferentiated.
Table 2: Wearing situation of the mask and impairment
|
Wearing situation (Total Age group)
|
Wearing situation (Total Age group)
|
Wearing situation (Total Age group)
|
Wearing situation (Total Age group)
|
Wearing situation (Total Age group)
|
Wearing situation (Total Age group)
|
|
Wearing time in minutes (IQR)**
|
270 (120;390)
|
90 (30;240)
|
240 (120;370)
|
360 (240; 450)
|
p < 0.0001
|
Type of Mask
|
Fabric mask
|
16 913 (65.2%)
|
2 501 (62,5%)
|
10 311 (71,6%)
|
4 101 (54,6%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
Surgical Mask
|
5 542 (21.4%)
|
271 (6,8%)
|
2 619 (18,2%)
|
2 652 (35,3%)
|
FFP mask
|
536 (2.1%)
|
51 (1,3%)
|
273 (1,9%)
|
212 (2,8%)
|
Not specified
|
2 935 (11.3%)
|
1 179 (29.5%)
|
1 204 (8.4%)
|
552 (7.3%)
|
Impairments
|
Impairment by mask according to child
|
Yes
|
17 550 (67.7%)
|
1 607 (40.2%)
|
10 244 (71.1%)
|
5 699 (75.8%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
No
|
6 801 (26.2%)
|
1 431 (35.8%)
|
3 744 (26.0%)
|
1 626 (21.6%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
Not specified
|
1.575 (6.1%)
|
964 (24.1%)
|
419 (2.9%)
|
192 (2.6%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
Have you observed any adverse effects of a mask on your child?
|
Yes
|
17.125 (66.1%)
|
1.640 (41.0%)
|
9.980 (69.3%)
|
5.505 (73.2%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
No
|
6.841 (26.4%)
|
1.367 (34,2%)
|
3.810 (26.4%)
|
1.664 (22.1%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
Not specified
|
1.960 (7.6%)
|
995 (24.9%)
|
617 (4.3%)
|
348 (4.6%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
The child must wear a mask...
|
on the way to school
|
10.105 (39.0%)
|
668 (16.7%)
|
5.704 (39.6%)
|
3.733 (49.7%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
in school outside the classroom (corridor, playground)
|
20.124 (81.1%)
|
1.834 (45.8%)
|
12.682 (88.0%)
|
5.608 (86.6%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
at school in class
|
12 593 (48.6%)
|
713 (17.8%)
|
6 880 (47.8%)
|
5 000 (66.5%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
in kindergarten
|
361 (1.4%)
|
295 (7.4%)
|
53 (0.4%)
|
13 (0.2%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
in stores
|
17 763 (68.5%)
|
2 060 (51.5%)
|
10 237 (71.1%)
|
5 466 (72.7%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
never
|
1.198 (4.6%)
|
933 (24.8%)
|
155 (1.1%)
|
50 (0.7%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
has a certificate of mask release
|
1.732 (6.7%)
|
144 (3.6%)
|
1.045 (7.3%)
|
543 (7.2%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
|
** IQR (interquartile range) n = 4427 (17.1%) missing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The frequency distribution of the above-mentioned side effects associated with masks is similar in the different age groups, with headaches, concentration difficulties, discomfort, learning difficulties and drowsiness / tiredness being the most common (Table 3). Other complaints were described in the free text. First of all: 269 entries on worsened skin, especially increased pimples, rashes and allergic phenomena around the mouth area up to fungal diseases in and around the mouth. There were 151 entries on nosebleeds, 122 entries on school displeasure up to school anxiety / refusal to attend school, 64 entries on increased sweating, 52 entries on pressure points and wounds behind the ears, 46 entries on sore or cracked and partly bloody lips, 31 entries on increased migraine attacks in frequency and severity, 23 entries on impaired vision, 13 entries on aphthae. Table 3 shows the classification of a possible health impairment of the children, as assessed by the parents. Table 4 shows further behavioral problems in the children, above all with 60.4% an increased irritability, 49.3% less happy children, 44% children who do not want to go to school anymore, in each case children in the age category 7-12 years are affected most. In 25.3% of the children it was stated that they have developed new anxieties (Table 4). In addition, 2,672 entries in this question alone mention explicit specifications of anxiety or the reappearance of several anxieties in free text entries. In addition to a general fear of the future, the fear of suffocation even with a mask, as well as the fear of death of relatives through corona, is most frequently represented. In addition, there is the fear of stigmatization both by wearing and not wearing a mask in the social environment. Many parents also report nightmares and anxiety disorders that relate to masked people whose facial expressions and identity are not recognizable to the children. A detailed evaluation and publication of the free text entries is planned.
Table 3: Symptoms in children in parental report
|
Total age group
|
Age group 0-6 years
|
Age group 7-12 years
|
Age group 13-18 years
|
Test for difference
|
Headaches
|
13.811 (53.3%)
|
960 (24.0%)
|
7.863 (54.6%)
|
4.988 (66.4%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
Concentration difficulties
|
12.824 (49.5%)
|
961 (24.0%)
|
7.313 (50.8%)
|
4.550 (60.5%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
Discomfort
|
10.907 (42.1%)
|
1.040 (26.0%)
|
6.369 (44.2%)
|
3.498 (46.5%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
Impairment in learning
|
9.845 (38.0%)
|
621 (15.5%)
|
5.604 (38.9%)
|
3.620 (48.2%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
drowsiness / tiredness
|
9.460 (36.5%)
|
729 (18.2%)
|
5.163 (35.8%)
|
3.568 (47.5%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
Tightness under the mask
|
9.232 (35.6%)
|
968 (24.2%)
|
5.427 (37.7%)
|
2.837 (37.7%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
Feeling of shortness of breath
|
7.700 (29.7%)
|
677 (16.9%)
|
4.440 (30.8%)
|
2.583 (34.4%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
Dizziness
|
6.848 (26.4%)
|
427 (10.7%)
|
3.814 (26.5%)
|
2.607 (34.7%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
Dry neck
|
5.883 (22.7%)
|
516 (12.9%)
|
3.313 (23.0%)
|
2.054 (27.3%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
Syncope
|
5.365 (20.7%)
|
410 (10.2%)
|
2.881 (20.0%)
|
2.074 (27.6%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
Unwillingness to move, unwillingness to play
|
4.629 (17.9%)
|
456 (11.4%)
|
2.824 (19.6%)
|
1.349 (17.9%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
Itching in the nose
|
4.431 (17.1%)
|
513 (12.8%)
|
2550 (17.7%)
|
1.368 (18.2%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
Nausea
|
4.292 (16.6%)
|
310 (7.7%)
|
2.544 (17.7%)
|
1.438 (19.1%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
Feeling of weakness
|
3.820 (14.7%)
|
300 (7.5%)
|
2.020 (14.0%)
|
1.500 (20.0%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
Abdominal pain
|
3.492 (13.5%)
|
397 (9.9%)
|
2.292 (15.9%)
|
803 (10.7%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
Accelerated respiration
|
3.170 (12.2%)
|
417 (10.4%)
|
1.796 (12.5%)
|
957 (12.7%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
Disease feeling
|
2.503 (9.7%)
|
205 (5.1%)
|
1.328 (9.2%)
|
970 (12.9%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
Tightness in the chest
|
2.074 (8.0%)
|
161 (4.0%)
|
1.122 (7.8%)
|
791 (10.5%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
Flickering eyes
|
2.027 (7.8%)
|
149 (3.7%)
|
1.047 (7.3%)
|
831 (11.1%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
Loss of appetite
|
1.812 (%)
|
182 (4.5%)
|
1.099 (7.6%)
|
531 (7.1%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
tachycardia, stumbling heart stings
|
1.459 (5.6%)
|
118 (2.9%)
|
766 (5.3%)
|
575 (7.6%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
Noise in the ears
|
1.179 (4.5%)
|
107 (2.7%)
|
632 (4.4%)
|
440 (5.9%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
Short-term impairment of consciousness / fainting spells
|
565 (2.2%)
|
39 (1.0%)
|
274 (1.9%)
|
252 (3.4%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
Vomiting
|
480 (1.9%)
|
40 (1.0%)
|
296 (2.1%)
|
144 (1.9%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
Table 4: Further behavior of the children, changed by wearing the mask, from parents' point of view
|
Total age group
|
Age group 0-6 years
|
Age group 7-12 years
|
Age group 13-18 years
|
Test for difference
|
The child is more often irritated than usual
|
11 364 (60.4%)
|
1 041 (40.0%)
|
6 566 (62.1%)
|
3 757 (66.5%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
The child is less cheerful
|
9 286 (49.3%)
|
959 (36.9%)
|
5 640 (53.3%)
|
2 687 (47.6%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
The child no longer wants to go to school/kindergarten
|
8 280 (44.0%)
|
824 (31.7%)
|
5 168 (48.9%)
|
2 288 (40.5%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
The child is more restless than usual
|
5 494 (29.2%)
|
773 (29.7%)
|
3 515 (33.2%)
|
1 206 (21.4%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
The child sleeps worse than usual
|
5 849 (31.1%)
|
633 (24.3%)
|
3 507 (33.2%)
|
1 709 (30.3%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
No other abnormalities
|
7 103 (27.4%)
|
1 400 (35.0%)
|
3 834 (26.6%)
|
1 869 (24.9%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
The child has developed new fears
|
4 762 (25.3%)
|
713 (27.4%)
|
2 935 (27.8%)
|
1 114 (19.7%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
The child sleeps more than usual
|
4 710 (25.0%)
|
319 (12.3%)
|
2 183 (20.6%)
|
2 208 (39.1%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
The child plays less
|
2 912 (15.5%)
|
400 (15.4%)
|
1.998 (18.9%)
|
514 (9.1%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
The child has a greater urge to move than usual
|
1 615 (8.6%)
|
253 (9.7%)
|
1.124 (10.6%)
|
238 (4.2%)
|
p < 0.0001
|
The optional possibility to leave name and e-mail address for possible questions was used by 27.1% (5 513) of the participants. A validation performed with the software Bouncer proved 4 710 (85.4%) of the mail addresses to be reachable.