Outbreak Raises COVID-19 Concern in Windsor-Essex Elementary Schools

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A current COVID-19 outbreak at a Tecumseh elementary school is an example of how the provincial government fails to protect students and teachers as the pandemic continues, says the president of a local teachers union.

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Mario Spagnuolo, who represents the Greater Essex members of the Ontario Elementary Teachers Federation (ETFO), said at least five cases of COVID-19 were reported among students at DM Eagle Public School this week.

“And there are more cases in the Tecumseh school community,” Spagnuolo said Thursday. “Two at Tecumseh Vista Elementary. Two at St. Pius X Catholic Elementary. And the Tecumseh minor hockey league has also been affected.

“Everything is happening at the same time. We have cohorts that are being laid off. “

DM Eagle Public School serves students in kindergarten through sixth grade and has an enrollment of approximately 300.

“Children in that age category cannot be vaccinated at this time,” Spagnuolo emphasized. “Five cases in a school of 300 unvaccinated children: that’s significant.”

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Health Canada is still reviewing a version of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine suitable for children ages five to 11, with a decision expected in December.

The Greater Essex County District School Board has acknowledged the new cases at DM Eagle and has notified parents. The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit is monitoring the situation.

But Spagnuolo said he has received correspondence and phone calls from many concerned parents who feel they should have been informed sooner and more immediate action should have been taken.

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“They want to do more. They want more communication, ”Spagnuolo said.

However, Spagnuolo believes that real criticism should be directed at the Doug Ford government and Ontario’s education minister, Stephen Lecce.

“Ford and Lecce have left the Ontario public education system to its own devices,” Spagnuolo said.

“They have taken $ 500 million in funding from a system that has been crying out for investment and is in greater need due to the pandemic.”

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Spagnuolo noted that the ventilation system at DM Eagle Public School is not mechanical or “exhaust only,” meaning that fresh air only circulates through open windows.

In addition to asking why the province has not invested in improving the ventilation systems of schools in general, Spagnuolo wants to know why there has been no support for high efficiency particulate air filters (HEPA filters), quality testing air and rapid tests for COVID-19 in schools. .

Instead of spending more money on resources, people and technology, the Ford government is actually taking us away. It is inconceivable. “

“I think Doug Ford and Stephen Lecce need to spend some time in an Ontario classroom, for more than a five-minute photoshoot.”

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