B.C. kids prepare to return to school without mask rules, critics call for policy changes

Less than a week before B.C. kids are set to return to the classroom following Spring Break, some advocates are calling for the province to reverse course on its updated mask policy.

As of Monday, masks will no longer be mandatory at schools for staff or students.

The Safe Schools Coalition BC has penned an open letter saying the pandemic is not over, and there are concerns with the lifting of some public health measures following the break, which for many students will be Mar. 28.

“Education leaders must recognize that public schools are unique in this pandemic. Public schools are NOT a place where families and children can ‘manage their own risk.’ It is not the same as choosing to dine indoors at a restaurant or go to a movie theatre with unmasked people. Children must attend school,” the letter reads in part.

“If rules can be set for peanut-free schools, so that those with severe peanut allergies can avoid exposure, then the same needs to be done for students who themselves or whose families face higher risk from catching this virus.”

Lifting restrictions a sign of changing times

The online advocacy group has been critical of the decision since B.C. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry made the surprise announcement regarding restrictions just before the break began.

“Our approach has always been to only have the minimum necessary restrictions to keep people safe and to prevent the transmission, particularly to those who are more susceptible to severe illness with COVID-19. It is finding that balance,” Henry said March 10.

Henry said due to lowered transmission rates, the province could transition to a new approach in its fight. While PCR testing numbers have been inaccurate for months due to a change in the province’s position following the wave of the Omicron variant, Henry says they are able to monitor through another means.

“One of them of course, is wastewater surveillance and we see a consistent decrease in low levels of virus now being detected in wastewater. And so that is also another important measure that helps us understand where we are in terms of risk in our communities,” Henry said.

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However, the Safe Schools Coalition BC points out “several factors that have not been adequately considered in the decision to eliminate mask mandates in schools,” including the immunization rates in B.C. kids.

Vaccination rates children aged five to 11 in B.C. remain low for first and second doses, are among the lowest in the country, and are below the national average.

By community, Vancouver has the highest immunization rate for younger children at 80 per cent for first doses and 59 per cent for second doses.

By comparison, in Hope, which is among the worst in the province, 30 per cent of children aged 5 to 11 have had one dose, while 14 per cent have had two.

A look at B.C.’s immunization rates as of March 18, 2022 which shows children aged 5-11 have the lowest immunization rates in the province. (BCCDC)

While overall rates are low, children in the older cohort, show a different story. Across the country, 85 per cent have had two doses.

Henry says masks are a personal decision and can be made based on high-risk settings and other factors.

“We need to recognize that we all have our own risks and our own vulnerabilities and particularly if you are older, if you’re immune-compromised, you may still wear a mask in some locations, especially if you’re inside or around a large number of people that you don’t know. If you’ve not yet had your booster or your children are not yet vaccinated, then masks continue to be a very important protective layer that you may want to continue to use especially in larger crowds and indoors,” Henry said.

B.C. joining most of country in classroom changes

While B.C.’s mask rules were lifted for most indoor spaces on Mar. 11, many places will still require them, such as long-term care centres, health-care settings, airports, and hospitals.

Many businesses have also expressed interest in keeping masks rules in place.

While the majority of schools across the country will no longer require masks, one province remains a hold out. Nova Scotia students are still required to be masked in class. Dr. Robert Strang, the province’s chief medical officer of health, lifted the mask rules outside of schools as of Monday, but they remain in education for “a few more weeks” according to the province’s health website.

“Most provincial restrictions are coming to an end but our healthy habits should not. You should still wear a mask when you’re out, get vaccinated, stay home when you’re sick, test to protect vulnerable people and keep your gatherings small. These individual actions, done in the spirit of kindness and community, will help keep us all safe,” Strang said.

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Other measures in place due to COVID concerns

The province has invested an estimated $288 million in federal and provincial funding to assist school districts in hiring more staff, purchasing masks and supplies, and improving ventilation and air quality systems in recent years due to the pandemic.

In addition, 4.4 million COVID rapid tests have been distributed to K to 12 schools across the province as of Mar. 11, and schools remain a priority setting to receive additional tests.

With files from The Canadian Press, Hana Mae Nassar and Denise Wong