Manitoba is now the epicenter for COVID-19 in Canada. Winnipeg alone is seeing upwards of 100 new cases per day with multiple deaths. New restrictions dictate that interacting with others outside your household is not allowed, and yet students are still required to attend schools in person.

Many schools in the province are barely or are not meeting social distancing guidelines. This is especially true in elementary and middle schools, most of which are already overcrowded. Even in properly socially distanced schools, teachers and students alike are under a great deal of stress from putting themselves at risk. There have also been outbreaks in multiple schools with few closures.

COVID-19 has the potential to damage one's health for the rest of their lives, even if they survive. People who have lived through the illness have developed asthma, heart conditions, and mental health issues such as PTSD.

I personally have an immunocompromised family member, and when I requested to move to online learning, I was told that I would have to withdraw from my school. I am a senior in high school, and the notion that I have to risk my life now for grad and convocation later is ridiculous.

With the way things are looking, the situation in Manitoba is only going to worsen. Close schools now.