Currently, we are experiencing the worst Covid case numbers of the pandemic, and as an attempt to regain control and protect society, we finally have a mask mandate for all indoor spaces and limits or outright bans on groups of people, both inside and outside. Since when are our children and their educators unworthy of the same protection? 

Class sizes, for the large part, have not decreased to enable social distancing. Ventilation systems are no different than they were prior to the pandemic, and children, according to the WHO, do spread the virus as effectively as adults. Dr. Anthony Fauci actually commented that we are traveling down a slippery slope by not testing asymptomatic people, in order to control infection. 

Premier Horgan has publicly laid blame on teachers for bringing infection into the schools. Dr. Henry has repeatedly used the need for privacy as her justification for not releasing information about Covid cases to the schools. Teachers are either not informed that cases have been in their classes, or are not allowed to get tested unless they have multiple symptoms, and are not able to stay home for 14 days because of the difficulty in replacing them. 

So, we potentially have a petri dish of asymptomatic people who are in closed spaces, unable to be tested, often not informed, and this is how we look after our children and their educators?  At the very least, we need an immediate mask mandate in the schools, as the WHO recommends, reduced class sizes, and immediate improvement in air filtration systems if we truly want our children to safely attend schools. I am an immune comprised retired teacher with a child in the school system. I need some assurance that the latest research is being followed properly and that my child, my family and the families of all British Columbians have the ability to flatten the curve. Please sign and send a clear message that schools are also indoor spaces and should not be exempt from the rest of the provinces safety measures.