The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) says Wednesday’s decision to end the masking requirement in Ontario schools on March 21 is ill-timed.
Association President Barb Dobrowolski noted in a statement, the move is “seemingly motivated by politics rather than science.”
She says the timing, directly following March Break, is especially problematic, given this is typically a period of travel and associated in the past with increased transmission.
The association, notes that schools are the largest daily gathering in Ontario, with more than two million students, educators, and staff congregating in buildings, often with more than 30 students in a classroom.
She fears removing masking at this time may jeopardize the progress made in keeping schools open.
Dobrowolski says their association isn’t the only one questioning the Ford government’s decision, adding Ontario’s public health experts, including the Scientific Director of the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table and Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children have noted concerns.
OECTA currently represents 45,000 teachers in Ontario’s publicly funded English Catholic schools, from Kindergarten to Grade 12.
Written by: Kennedy Freeman with files from The Canadian Press
