COVID-19: Nova Scotia Parents Call For Mandatory Masks In Elementary Schools As Cases Rise – Halifax | The Canadian News

Nova Scotia parents concerned that masks in schools will soon become optional have created a petition asking the province to reconsider its decision.

“Many parents and I feel that masks, although no one likes them, including children, is a simple and effective additional layer of protection that will help us keep children in school longer,” said Paul Wareham, Sr. of an elementary school student. .

Wareham says continuing mandatory masking will bring a wave of relief to many parents of children who are not yet eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Public Health Agency of Canada states that there is no strong evidence to support the alleged negative consequences of the use of masks in children.

“The concern is that we are not getting ahead of the Delta variant. That we wait too long until infections in the school start to increase, ”Wareham said.

Nova Scotia is about to move to Phase 5 of its recovery plan which would see mandatory mask requirements and collection limits lifted.

Initially, the province planned to make the masks optional in schools as soon as Phase 5 was enacted, which is currently projected for September 15.

That approach changed on September 10, when Nova Scotia’s top physician said mandatory masking would remain in schools until September 20.

“I believe that the mandate for masks should remain in schools and that we should consider short-term temporary measures to improve ventilation systems,” added Aaron Smith, father of elementary school children.

Nova Scotia’s chief physician, Dr. Robert Strang, has repeatedly stated that mandatory masking will be one of the first measures to be reintroduced if cases rise to a worrying level.

On June 2, the federal and provincial governments announced a $ 25 million project to improve safety measures in schools. The province says that about $ 18 million of those funds will be spent on ventilation and HVAC-related projects.

That work is expected to be completed within the school year, according to the provincial government.

Smith says that in the meantime, the province should invest in installing portable air filters in classrooms with poor or no ventilation.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that portable HEPS air filters be placed in schools with poor indoor ventilation until appropriate improvements are made.

The Nova Scotia Teachers Union president says the union knows of three schools in the Halifax Regional Education Center with COVID-19 cases.

The provincial government indicates that information on school cases will only be shared publicly if a closure is required or is deemed necessary by public health.

Wozeny says that approach can lead to misinformation.

“This information will reach the general public in one way or another. And right now, it’s ending up in the public eye through social media, ”he said.

Wozney says the union sent a letter to Nova Scotia Medical Director of Health Dr. Robert Strang asking that school safety measures be reconsidered and improved as the province nears the final stage of reopening.