Provincial school guidelines don’t go far enough, says Saskatoon pediatrician

A University of Saskatchewan assistant professor of pediatrics says the updated provincial school division guidelines don’t go far enough.

The province has released updated information for school divisions which include recommendations for masking in common areas like hallways, washrooms and libraries, indicating masks are not necessary in classrooms or outdoors. But it stops short of mandating them.

COVID-19 vaccinations are also recommended for all staff and students, but not required.

Dr. Ayisha Kurji — along with more than 100 other doctors who are members of the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Saskatchewan — has written and signed a letter to Premier Scott Moe, Health Minister Paul Merriman, Education Minister Dustin Duncan and the Saskatchewan School Board Association, outlining their concerns about the 2021-2022 school year.

The letter asks that masks be required for all teachers and children over the age of two in schools, consistent with recommendations from the American Academy of Paediatrics and the Centre for Disease Control.

It also asked that COVID-19 protocols for distancing and cohorting remain wherever possible and that testing, contact tracing and monitoring of case counts continue.

Kurji said the Delta variant is becoming more prominent in the province and is predominantly affecting those who aren’t vaccinated, which includes children under the age of 12.

“We know that our kids can’t be vaccinated … so that puts them at higher risk. When you look at what’s happening around the world, especially in the United States, we’re seeing COVID infections and hospitalisations and infections rise in kids and that’s what’s worrying us,” she said.

She said they’ve also had some children ending up in the hospital in Saskatchewan. While many times COVID-19 is milder in children, that’s not the only thing we need to be aware of.

“That doesn’t mean though, that that they are free from any risk from it. It doesn’t mean that there aren’t kids who do get sick. There are definitely kids who end up in the hospital, there are definitely kids who end up in the ICU and there are kids who pass away from it,” she explained. “There’s also kids that suffer from long COVID.”

It’s not clear from provincial COVID-19 statistics how many children under the age of 12 make up the number of those who are unvaccinated that get the virus. 650 CKOM/980 CJME has requested that information from the Saskatchewan Health Authority, along with information on hospitalisations including ICU admissions affecting children.

Kurji says we owe it to our kids to protect them as best as we can, and the provincial guidelines don’t go far enough, in her opinion.

“Masks work. Distancing works. So, we want to see that masks are in place; the same protocols that were in place last year that for the most part did protect our kids. The recommendations that came out, I don’t think it’s enough. I think we need mandates and I think it needs to be more than common areas.”

The bottom line she says is what we can do to help protect others who can’t protect themselves.

“It’s not just thinking of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves as a society and what is our responsibility to everyone,” she said.

Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation echoes call

The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) also believes more needs to be done by the province.

In a release Friday, the federation said they were “encouraged” to see guidance offered to schools by the provincial government, but hoped to see more.

“Encouragement for vaccines and masking (is) a good place to start, but it isn’t enough,” said Patrick Maze, president of the STF.

“With less than two weeks until students return to school this creates more questions than answers. Specific and concrete directives are what school divisions, teachers and parents are looking for right now.”

Maze is concerned that school divisions who do choose to mandate masks will have limited time to share these expectations with staff, students and parents before the start of the school year.

Further, it will be harder to manage these procedures and will force school divisions and principals to make and enforce decisions that Maze calls “the responsibility of the government.”

“At this late stage, we need clear direction from government that is aligned with recommendations from medical professionals,” Maze said. “Students have a right to a safe learning environment and staff to a safe working environment. Mandatory vaccines and masking are proven to help provide that environment.”

On Tuesday, the STF called on the government to make vaccines against COVID-19 mandatory for all eligible staff and students in the province, as well as enhance cleaning procedures, social distancing policies and implement masking in schools.

School divisions province-wide are expected to release their plans early next week.