Conservatives say there is no logic in having middle and secondary school students wearing masks, while students in the younger grades do not

 

The BC government has announced it will be joining other provinces across Canada in providing greater safety for both teachers and students in public schools.

 

Shelly Jan, a former teacher and Conservative candidate for Langley, is concerned that masks will only be mandatory for students in middle school and high school.

 

Late yesterday, Jan stated: “Unlike their counterparts in upper grades, elementary students are far less conscious of how the COVID-19 virus can be transmitted.”

 

“That is why both parents and teachers continue to be worried about the spread of the COVID-19 virus in schools through-out the province,” she continued.

 

“Two days ago, the President of the BC Teachers Federations (BCTF), Teri Mooring released information from a public survey the BCTF had just conducted. The results of this survey showed 79.9% of teachers stating that students should be wearing masks all or most of the time in school."

 

"We agree with the concerns of teachers and parents", remarked Trevor Bolin, Leader of the Conservatives in BC. “If masks are mandatory in the higher grades, shouldn’t we be as equally concerned for those in lower grades?”

 

“While we respect the work that B.C.’s Public Health Officer, Bonnie Henry has done throughout this pandemic, we question schools being the safest place in the community.  

 

Instead, with dozens of outbreaks of the COVID virus in public and private schools around the province, it seems that where safety is concerned, schools could very well be the safest place for the virus to develop and spread,” Bolin went on to say.

 

“There is no logic for having middle and secondary school students wearing masks, while students in the younger grades do not, considering most households have children in both schools. Let’s ensure best safety practices are in place through-out the K to 12 education system.

We call on Minister Adrian Dix, Dr. Bonnie Henry and Minister Rob Fleming to reconsider the use of masks, by both teachers and students, throughout all grades,” Bolin concluded.