If You Really Did Have Good Sources...

The statement in the original post was about children's DEATHS due to COVID-19, not masks. I found sources contradicting the claim that they weren't mentioning that particular stat. That rebuttal was completely ignored.

To have honest debate, one must address the point/counterpoint, not ignore the facts presented, and not move the goal posts.

To help counter unconscious biases, it's always a good idea to ask if what you think to be true isn't and is there any credible info out there that contradicts those held biases. I noted that it's a talking point in this FOX news article that "many" European countries don't require masks (when reading, always do you ask yourself, "Which countries DON'T they mention?"). Well, "many" also do, as well as countries on other continents (articles from 2020, not 2021).

• Coronavirus: How are other countries getting children back to class?
• Back to school: how European classrooms are coping with COVID

For non-outrage, facts-only, go to sources like this:
COVID-19 and the Use of Masks by Children. Statement From the Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region and the European Academy of Paediatrics
PERSPECTIVE article
Front. Pediatr., 28 January 2021 | doi.org/10.3389/fped.2021.580150

It's great that kids have not been inordinately impacted by this virus; however, what seems to be left out of the conversation is that kids are a vector for transmission to those who are less able to fight off or survive this virus. Stopping the carriers is just as important, particularly for those who have higher vulnerabilities and/or are medically unable to get vaccinated. That's why people such as Michael Mina and Scott Gottlieb have been calling for more widespread rapid testing that individuals and families can do at home. It's impossible to stop the transmission of a virus if those infected are asymptomatic and innocently ignorant of the risk they pose to others.

I wonder if these kids, if asked, would feel that mask wearing is more traumatic (than being orphaned)?
US is No. 4 in the world with most orphaned children by COVID deaths, study finds
By Katie Camero, Miami Herald | Updated July 21, 2021 10:05 PM

Pediatric Psychologist On The High Rates Of Children Orphaned By COVID-19

What kind of pansy society have we turned into that wearing a mask, which has been done for 100 years to protect people from germs in hospitals and during pandemics, is more horrible than catching and spreading a virus that has caused over a million deaths worldwide, and 700K+ here in the U.S., since it's outbreak less than 2 years ago? Fewer people die of heart disease every year than have died of COVID in the U.S. and yet the callous line "It has a 99.5% survivability rate" is continuously tossed out as if that isn't all of those families' lives forever impacted and it's a good enough excuse to not help keep others in your community safer. I find it bizarre and disheartening that what I see people doing in real life helping others is so opposite what I read online.

The "fear factor" for surgical masks and face shields, as perceived by children and their parents
Pediatrics. 2009 Oct;124(4):e777-81.
doi: 10.1542/peds.2008-3709. Epub 2009 Sep 28.

Conclusions: Physicians and parents have a perception that surgical masks are frightening to all children. Our study has shown that this perception is not completely true. Face shields may be a better choice, however, because both parents and children would prefer this option.