The local president of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario believes the province's move to end masking mandates in schools is premature.
The requirements will be lifted for staff and students as of March 21, right after the return from March Break.
Laurel Liddicoat-Newton is worried, and believes ending masking too soon will lead to further disruptions on in-person learning and negatively impact the health and safety of those in schools.
"I think we must move with caution and follow advice from pediatric medical professionals and those connected to the Ontario Children's Health Coalition and the hospital for sick children in Toronto," said Liddicoat-Newton. "The government is really dropping restrictions that are not based on science and data. They want to get more votes, and it's horrible for them to hold children and education workers in the balance that way."
Liddicoat-Newton said the Lambton Kent District School Board will be providing education workers with masks, upon request.
She said there are still many issues with the condition of classrooms.
"We've said it time and time again, the classrooms are crowded, there are air quality concerns and we don't know now the COVID case counts in schools. Only 55 per cent of our children have had first dose vaccines."
As of March 21, the province is also removing cohorting and daily on-site screening in schools, as well as masking on student transportation.
The next provincial election is scheduled for June 2.
