Lifting of mask mandates in Ontario schools being met with mixed reaction

Ontario will no longer mandate face mask use in schools as of March 21, also bringing an end to COVID-19 cohorting and physical distancing requirements.“As we continue to ease public health measures, we are also working with the Ministry of Education to align measures in schools and child care with those in the community as much as possible,” said Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr.

Kieran Moore. Ontario lifts mask mandate in most settings March 21, all directives to drop by April 27 The province is also no longer requiring on-site verification of screening for all children, students and staff, suggesting instead that they self-screen before attending school or child care every day and stay at home if they are experiencing new or worsening symptoms of illness.“It seems really premature,” said Karen Brown, president of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO.)“We’re removing another key layer of protection – which is masking to slow down the spread.

We’re concerned that our members are going to be exposed,” said Brown.She added, ETFO will encourage members who “are feeling vulnerable” to continue to wear their masks in school.Toronto pediatrician Dr.

Sloane Freeman is also advising her patients to continue to wear masks.“I feel that it’s a bit early to lift the mask mandate … I worry particularly about children that are unvaccinated or under-vaccinated and children that are more vulnerable from a medical perspective,” she said.“We know masks work to control transmission and Omicron is still out there and I do hope that children will still use masks at this time to help protect those that are more vulnerable among them,” she added.