Weekly Headlines of Clarence Rockland (2020-07-24)

Nineteen physicians signe a letter about masks

19 family physicians from the Clarence-Rockland Family Health Team signed a letter addressed to Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, the Medical Officer of Health at the Eastern Ontario Health Unit asking authorities to make the wearing of masks mandatory in schools.

However, the government of Doug Ford specified that the decision to make masks mandatory in schools rests with the school boards. But the school boards responded by saying that it was up to the health unit to decide.

The 19 family doctors say masks are mandatory in enclosed public places, so the decision to make masks mandatory in schools for children over two years of age would be consistent with the mandate already established by the EOHU and Ottawa Public Health.
Family physicians also explain that the prioritized back-to-school approach brings its own challenges when it comes to compliance with health measures. If class sizes cannot be reduced, they explain, physical distance will be impossible. Relying solely on handwashing and decontaminating toys and surfaces will not be adequate, especially since we know that COVID-19 is spread primarily through airborne droplets.

They go on to say that wearing the universal mask would avoid stigmatizing vulnerable staff and students who want to stay safe and would allow for their integration into the classroom.