Concern Mounts as Saskatchewan Students Return to Class While Out-of-Province Peers Stay Home | The Canadian News

As Ontario announced plans to delay going back to school after the break Monday morning, some children in Saskatchewan were already preparing to go to class in the only province that returned its students to in-person learning on time.

That raised a lot of concerns on Monday, and suggested that the provincial government should consider re-charting its course as a fifth wave of COVID-19 hits the country.

“It is a great risk. There is a great risk here, ”said Patrick Maze, president of the Saskatchewan Federation of Teachers.

“We know that we were the only province that did not have restrictions on the size of the meetings during the holidays and that is a great concern that the schools operate within their communities and, therefore, if the communities do not have any type of restriction, then they are at greater risk. “

Maze said his main concern is that if left unchecked, Omicron will run rampant between teachers and staff, leaving so many sick and isolated that keeping classrooms open will become a challenge.

“The staff must be fine to be in front of the students. We look for airlines that cancel flights because they have no staff. We have the same concerns in our schools. We have to be able to guarantee the safety of the students in our care. “

Saskatchewan pandemic leaders were asked about delaying the return at a press conference last week.

“Schools in Saskatchewan are opening normally because, at this point, we are not at the peak of growth that other provinces have,” said Dr. Saqib Shahab, Saskatchewan’s director of medical health.

However, an epidemiologist said that Saskatchewan’s fifth wave timeline delay gives the province the perfect opportunity to minimize Omicron’s impact.

“Prudent measures. Thoughtful steps will help minimize the negative impact on all Saskatchewan residents, including teachers and students, ”he said.

“That is if action is taken at the appropriate time, not after things happen, but before they happen so that we can minimize, move forward and stop the negative impact of an Omicron-driven fifth wave.”

Trend stories

• 

  Ontario Moves Schools To Online Learning, Bans Indoor Meals, Issues New COVID Capacity Restrictions

• 

  Ontario Reports 13,578 New COVID Cases, More People in Hospitals and ICU

She would like students to be out of school for at least a couple of weeks so she can assess the long-term impact of Omicron on hospitalizations.

He added that “schools are an extension of a community” and that even if those within its walls do not end up getting sick, ending up in hospital and dying, the same cannot be guaranteed for their broader social networks.

“There are no real boundaries between schools and homes and the community at large. That is why I believe that what is happening in the community will be reflected in the schools and vice versa ”.

There were 34 outbreaks listed in school settings on the Saskatchewan government website on Monday. Meanwhile, according to government data, 516 cases of COVID-19 have been detected among people ages five to 19 since the holidays began on December 18.

The Saskatchewan NDP also criticized the provincial government’s decision on Monday not to delay a return to in-person learning.

In a provided statement, the opposition called on the government to delay returning to the classroom and “create a comprehensive Omicron strategy so Saskatchewan families are no longer flying blind to a potential disaster.”

“We are all tired. We all want students to stay in school, but waiting without a plan will take us to the same position we were in with the fourth wave, “added critic Carla Beck in a media availability.

Opposition leader Ryan Meili added that he believes the development of such a strategy will require a delay of “at least this week.”

“How are we working on HVAC, proper masking, and access to rapid tests within schools?” I ask.

Global News reached out to the province for further comment on Monday. While an interview with the prime minister, health minister or education minister was requested, a statement was provided instead.

In response, a spokesperson said that “the Saskatchewan government believes that it is important to resume classroom learning as normally and safely as possible, as it is important for the health and development of children.

“The protocols that have been implemented along with the more than $ 150 million that have been awarded to school divisions to support students and staff as we drive through the pandemic have proven to be successful.

“Schools have been encouraged to inform parents and staff of the benefits of rapid tests before returning to school. The province will send 250,000 rapid tests to schools. Additionally, Saskatchewan school personnel currently have access to medical grade disposable surgical masks. These important steps will support continued classroom learning as we continue to learn about COVID-19 in our daily lives. “

Muhajarine, however, said that providing rapid exams to schools “is not a policy.”

“We need real action here. If there is no action, we need the reason why the actions are not being taken and we need an explanation of why certain public health actions are not being taken as in all other provinces at this time, ”he said.

Meanwhile, Saskatchewan’s school divisions were busy reiterating the precautions they are taking to keep students safe Monday.

“Regina Public Schools continues to take a multi-layered approach to COVID-19 safety, including mandatory masks in all schools and buildings, improved sanitation protocols, student groups where possible, a focus on hygiene of hands and improved ventilation in all school-owned divisions, “reads a Regina Public Schools Statement.

See link »