While the Thames Valley District School Board last month passed a motion making masks mandatory for JK to Grade 3 students while they are in school and on buses, trustees concede the ruling is unenforceable and students won’t be penalized for not wearing a face covering. However, the province has mandated the wearing of masks for students in Grade 4 and above. Dr. Joyce Lock, medical officer of health for Southwestern Public Health explains how the decision was reached for younger students.
Dr. Lock says the decision was made in consultation with Dr. Chris Mackie, medical officer of health for the Middlesex London Health Unit and school board trustees. So, how long can the same mask be worn and how many masks should young students pack with them? She says it’s a good idea to have your child take more than one mask to school with them.
Dr. Lock adds, in advance of schools opening, it would be a good idea for parents to have a mask on their child for several hours a day so they get used to the process.
She stresses the local school boards have done a “phenomenal job” in anticipating the necessary COVID-19 precautions for a safe return to school.
Dr. Lock adds if a change of course is necessary after students return, the aim is to be able to respond rapidly.
