Group of B.C. doctors, nurses, scientists push government to ensure safe school return
Posted August 8, 2023 7:42 pm.
Last Updated August 8, 2023 7:44 pm.
A group of doctors, nurses, scientists, and others have written an open letter to the B.C. government demanding it take more steps to ensure a safe return to school this fall, as the WHO warns of a new COVID-19 variant.
Family Physician and University of British Columbia Clinical Associate Professor Dr. Susan Kuo says she is concerned for her daughter’s safety heading into the coming school year. (Kier Junos, CityNews Image)
UBC’s Dr. Susan Kuo is one of dozens of signatories in an open letter to the government from Protect Our Province BC.
“In September, B.C. parents will be sending their children back to school just as newer recombinant SARS-CoV-2 variants will be circulating. As well, just like last year, RSV and influenza are expected to hit children hard,” reads an excerpt from the letter.
“Every day when I send my daughter to school, I’m worried about her. I’m worried that she’s going to come down with COVID-19,” said Kuo. “Studies show that schools are still one of the main areas where we have transmission of the virus.”
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Protect Our Province BC wants better ventilation and air filters in schools, mask mandates, free high-quality masks, more rapid COVID testing, and earlier flu and COVID vaccination for children.
“Last year Protect Our Province tried to warn the province … but no one listened to us,” said Kuo. “Last year, emergency departments, BC Children’s Hospital, were just so full.”
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says there won’t be anything new in terms of new protections in schools — she tells CityNews that people should wash their hands, cover their mouth when they cough, and stay home if they get sick.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry talks in the press theatre at the legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Thursday, March 10, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
“I don’t think we’re at the place anymore where we need those broad, population-level measures, that really affect a lot of people over a broad area – so mandatory masking in all settings. We will be looking at, where are the important things, where are the important settings where masking more routinely or with patient care for example, and health care settings – will become very, very important again,” said Henry.
She adds that the new COVID strain — called EG.5 — is circulating in B.C. but there hasn’t been a dramatic rise in cases since it was found in mid-June. She says a new vaccine is expected in the Fall.
Meanwhile, Dr. Kuo says she’s concerned her daughter could get long COVID and have trouble finishing school.
“It’s unbelievable. This is year four, this is the fourth year we’re sending kids back to school, and still no protections.”
