This Morning: Alison Hammond admits concerns over children wearing face masks in schools ‘It’s not a child’s job to protect me’

This Morning host Alison Hammond admits she ‘struggles’ with children having to wear face masks while at school, during a discussion about the topic during Friday’s edition.

Alison returned to front Friday’s episode of This Morning alongside Dermot O’Leary, with guests Gyles Brandreth and Georgia Toffolo joining them to chat about the biggest news stories of the day.

The host kicked off the discussion with the subject of mask wearing in schools, amid some pupils reportedly ‘revolting’ against the current requirement. 

Alison told her co-stars: ‘I really struggle with this one,’ before giving some further information about the rules in educational settings.

She went on to express her view on the situation, adding: ‘I personally think, children shouldn’t wear masks in schools.’

Dermot proceeded to give out some stats, sharing: ‘It’s interesting, a government evidence summary found 80% of pupils found wearing a face covering made it difficult to communicate.

Alison said she ‘didn’t understand’ why children had to wear masks in schools (Picture: ITV)

‘With 55% feeling wearing one made learning more difficult.’

‘Of course it does,’ Gyles said, as he donned a mask to demonstrate his point.

‘If you’re trying to communicate with a teacher like this, it’s a bit difficult, actually recognising who’s the teacher. 

The guests chatted to Alison and Dermot on some of the day’s biggest stories (Picture: ITV)

‘It is a problem, to be honest. Independently-minded teenagers are saying, “No, this doesn’t make sense, the teacher’s the one who’s speaking to us, they’re the one’s spraying [particles], why are we masked?”’ the former Conservative Party MP added.

Alison continued: ‘I also don’t like seeing the little children with masks on either.

‘It’s never been a child’s job to protect adults, so why are we making them do that? I don’t understand.

‘I don’t think it’s a child’s job to protect me as an adult, I really don’t,’ she remarked, which Georgia was in agreement with.

Georgia agreed with Alison’s point of view (Picture: ITV)

Secondary school pupils in England were asked to wear masks in class, before returning to school after the Christmas holidays.

While children are required to keep a mask on in class, teachers currently are not.

Viewers watching at home were divided over the subject, with some praising her comments, whilst others weren’t so sure.

One wrote on Twitter: ‘Well said about kids and masks #Thismorning #Alisonhammond totally agree x.’

‘Children shouldn’t wear face masks. They are children! They are more vulnerable and it’s even more important for them to communicate #ThisMorning,’ said a viewer.

However, someone else pointed out: #ThisMorning Primary school age children don’t have to wear masks in classrooms. It is secondary school children who have to wear masks.’

‘Some children in this world don’t have access to food and water! All that’s being asked of kids in the U.K. is to wear a face covering for a few weeks #ThisMorning,’ added another.

More: ITV

Elsewhere, Alison and Dermot celebrated their one-year anniversary on This Morning, after starting on their Friday slot early last year.

Dermot started off the programme by surprising Alison with a cake, before joking they used to ‘hate each other’ as they gushed about their time so far.

This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : Dermot O’Leary mocks past tension with as Alison Hammond celebrate one year on This Morning: ‘We used to hate each other’

MORE : The Chase fans applaud Mark Labbett’s sweet gesture to partially blind contestant: ‘Touch of class’