The guidelines encourage pupils and others to get vaccinated and to stay home when they are sick, while masking remains optional and is described as being a 'personal or family choice.'
The guidelines released Thursday encourage pupils and others to get vaccinated and to stay home when they are sick, while masking remains optional and is described as being a "personal or family choice."
Clint Johnston, president of the BC Teachers Federation, said the union believes schools require stronger measures than businesses or public spaces and is calling for better ventilation in classrooms and masking requirements. Jennifer Heighton, co-founder of Safe Schools Coalition BC, said the organization was "extremely frustrated" to hear the year would be starting "without better protections in classroom, such as universal masking with better masks provided and HEPA filtration."
“It's a very blunt tool, and it's kind of a tool of last resort," Henry said. "It needs to be in the context of what's happening in the community and what's happening across the province, and whether there is a real need for that type of restriction, especially a legal mandate like that." About half of kids between five and 11 in B.C. have had two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine so far, Henry said. But she said about 90 per cent of children between the ages of 12 and 17 have had two shots.
Johnston said the union supports the province's efforts to get kids vaccinated, but is worried it won't be enough on its own.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Bonnie Henry backs B.C.'s COVID-19 school plan, rejects mask mandate as 'blunt tool'British Columbia's provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, is defending the province's back-to-school pandemic guidelines against calls from some parent and teacher groups for more stringent COVID-19 protocols.
Read more »
Bonnie Henry backs B.C.'s COVID-19 school plan, rejects mask mandate as 'blunt tool'British Columbia's provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, is defending the province's back-to-school pandemic guidelines against calls from some parent and teacher groups for more stringent COVID-19 protocols. The guidelines released Thursday encourage pupils and others to get vaccinated and to stay home when they are sick, while masking remains optional and is described as being a “personal or family choice.”
Read more »
Bonnie Henry backs B.C.'s COVID-19 school plan, rejects mask mandate as 'blunt tool'VANCOUVER — British Columbia's provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, is defending the province's back-to-school pandemic guidelines against calls from some parent and teacher groups for more stringent COVID-19 protocols.
Read more »
Bonnie Henry backs B.C.'s COVID-19 school plan, rejects mask mandate as 'blunt tool'With K-12 classes set to resume, some parent and teacher groups are calling for more stringent COVID-19 measures, including better ventilation in classrooms and masking requirements.
Read more »
Bonnie Henry backs B.C.’s COVID-19 school plan, rejects mask mandate as ‘blunt tool’B.C.’s top doctor defends province’s back-to-school pandemic guidelines
Read more »