CPAC Screenshot
Students won’t be heading back to the classroom this school year.
The province has confirmed virtual learning will continue and schools will remain closed for the rest of the semester.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams has previously stated that he wants to see children return to the classroom before the economy reopens.
The Northwestern Health Unit and the Ontario Science Advisory Table have also called for a resumption of in-person learning.
Premier Doug Ford says during consultations medical officials couldn’t address some of his concerns.
“They couldn’t tell us that returning to in-class learning before more students and teachers are vaccinated won’t lead to thousands and thousands of new cases.”
Ford adds, “We’ve seen clearly in the modelling from Dr. Brown that returning kids and teachers back to school before their vaccinated will lead to thousands of new cases.”
Ford says, “All I’ve heard from the doctors, and we’ve all heard the same thing, indoors bad-outdoors good, and we’re going to put 2 million kids (back in class)? Dr. Brown has already said we’re going to see an increase as high as 11% in new cases. That could be thousands of cases.”
He notes his priority is protecting kids and families from variants and says the decision will allow for more people to get vaccinated.
Ford adds making the tough decision now will allow kids to safely enjoy camps and outdoor activities this summer, and a safe return to school in September.
He stresses he’s not prepared to risk our summer and entering Stage 1 in the recovery framework.
The premier does say the government will allow school boards to invite graduating students in elementary schools (by class) and secondary schools (by homeroom/quadmestered class) to return to school in June for a short, outdoor celebration, where physical distancing is possible.
