West Vancouver city councillor pushes for mandatory masks at schools

WEST VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — A West Vancouver city councillor who was one of the first to call for mandatory masks on transit is now calling for mandatory masks in schools.

As cases of COVID-19 continue to climb, Craig Cameron says as a parent, he’d like to see protocols to keep kids as safe as possible implemented soon.

“I think the public health authorities from the beginning have underestimated the willingness of people to take measures to get control of the pandemic. If you ask children to wear masks so that we can get ahead of this pandemic, I think you’re going to see a very high level of compliance,” he says.

Cameron says the increased health measures will be much more effective sooner rather than later to mitigate risks and to avoid a possible broader shutdown down the line.

“I’m concerned that if the second wave gets too severe, we’re going to have to do a broader shutdown of the economy and I quite frankly don’t think we can afford it.”

Cameron adds, his two teenaged children have adopted wearing masks more frequently than adults he knows, adding he thinks there would be support for the change.

“I think the teens and kids are willing to do their part to fight the pandemic.”

RELATED: 

• 203 COVID-19 cases in B.C. a daily record, 160 people from Kelowna school in isolation

• Surrey superintendent urges vigilant mask use in schools amid high COVID-19 cases

• B.C. Supreme Court tosses parents’ challenge of province’s school reopening plans

Meanwhile, on Wednesday the province announced that about 160 people from a Kelowna school are in isolation after three tested positive for the coronavirus.

“Public health teams have directed a further approximately 160 members of the school community to self-isolate for 14 days and monitor for symptoms,” Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said in a release.

– With files from Mike Hall