Schools in the Ottawa-Carlton area will discuss making mask-wearing mandatory for a record number of children in Ontario hospitals.

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Ottawa’s largest school board is ready to debate whether to make students wear masks again to slow the spread of a respiratory virus that has sent record numbers of children to hospital.

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The masked debate could be one of the first jobs for the trustees of the Ottawa-Carlton District School Board, who will take office on November 15.

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Dr. Nili Kaplan Maas, a family doctor who has championed public health measures in the pandemic, said he would request an emergency board meeting to be held as soon as possible.

Seven of the 12 councilors elected in local elections this fall are newcomers.

If an emergency meeting is held, schools will be embroiled in an emotional debate over masks.

Last spring, the Ottawa-Carlton Board of Governors passed a motion against the Ontario Education Minister to require students and staff to wear masks as the province plunges into another wave of COVID-19.

The state government lifted mask requirements in most public spaces, including schools, on March 21 last year.

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CHEO officials are now asking people to wear masks indoors to curb the rapid spread of three respiratory virus threats: RSV, COVID-19 and influenza. RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is a common virus that causes respiratory infections in adults and children, but it often affects children more severely.

CHEO’s emergency department is overcrowded, and the hospital has opened a second pediatric intensive care unit to handle the overflow of critically ill babies and young children.

With hospitals across the state reporting similar problems, there is pressure on state governments to reinstate mask mandates.

Dr. Kieran Moore, the state’s chief medical officer, has hinted that stricter mask rules may be needed if hospitals are struggling, but what circumstances are “when appropriate.” It does not indicate what would cause a change from the ‘wear a mask to’ approach.

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“If health systems are severely impacted, more and more recommendations are being made to wear masks to reduce the risk of all these viruses being transmitted through close personal contact when indoors. We are monitoring the data,” Moore said in an interview with CP24 on Oct. 19.

Ottawa health physician Dr. Vera Etches has refused to exercise his power under the Health Protection and Promotion Act to enact local mask mandates in schools and other indoor locations.

In an interview with the newspaper, Etches believes community buy-in is needed before people start wearing masks again.

“The first step is to make people understand why mask use is needed again.”

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The Ottawa Public Health Department “strongly recommends” that people wear masks indoors, in public places and in crowded places.

On Wednesday, OPH posted a message on Twitter saying, “We fully support any company/organization that chooses to enforce their mask wearing policy.”

As such, schools and higher education institutions must make their own decisions.

Carleton University, University of Ottawa, and Algonquin University currently recommend, but do not require, staff and students to wear masks, except for laboratory work and clinical placements. said it was monitoring the situation.

“The University will continue to make adjustments as necessary to ensure the health and safety of everyone and to comply with public health advice, recommendations and legal requirements,” said a Carleton University statement.

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Last spring, most post-secondary institutions in Ontario imposed temporary mask mandates for varying lengths of time, with some still requiring masks. We rely on the state for all funding and direction on the matter.

The Ottawa-Carlton Board of Governors voted last spring to reimpose mask requirements in Ontario after Education Minister Stephen Lecce said students should be given the choice to wear masks or not. I was one of the board members.

Another masked debate at the Ottawa-Carlton Board could take place as early as later next week if the board agrees to an emergency meeting.

Board member Justin Bell said he believes the school board must do its part to curb the spread of the virus that is causing the crisis in CHEO.

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“If experts say we must wear masks for the health of our community, let’s wear masks.”

Bell said he would suggest staff come up with a rationale for when and for how long the board should impose temporary mask mandates.

Last spring, the board passed a motion to require masks on April 12, and OPH said no masks were required, even though the trustees were told that OPH would make no recommendations regarding masking. said.

The dilemma was resolved when Camille Williams-Taylor, the board’s head of education, sent a letter to parents stating that after May 30, children will no longer be required to wear masks.

Trustee Jennifer Jenkins, who voted in favor of a temporary mask mandate last spring, says she will vote against the proposal submitted this fall unless OPH endorses the move.

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“I’m not a medical professional. I have no expertise in that area, so I trust Ottawa Public Health.”

The issue has divided the school community, she said.

A poll conducted for CTV by Nanos Research found that the majority of Canadians surveyed, including 71.4% in Ontario, believe face masks will be mandatory in indoor public spaces this fall if authorities deem it necessary. I found it stating that it would either support being revived or share some support.

The Nanos poll ran from October 30th to November 4th.

Ottawa Carlton’s new trustee, Alisha Aziz, said she was in favor of holding an emergency meeting to discuss the return of mandatory masking and would listen carefully to the debate.

“That’s something I definitely want to consider supporting.”

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Of parents randomly interviewed outside two elementary schools in Ottawa last week, all but one said they supported a temporary return to mandatory masks.

“I think it’s a good idea,” said Fatu Ahmed, whose daughter is in first grade at First Avenue Public School.

That would help the city reduce the high rate of hospitalized children, she said.

“And if it’s mandated, people will follow it.”

Fellow parent Sneha Raychaudhuri agreed, saying her first-grade daughter didn’t object when masks were mandatory, but that changed when most kids in her class stopped wearing them. .

“My daughter doesn’t want to wear a mask. She’s a follower. She doesn’t want to be alone.”

Raychaudhuri said he was worried his 2-year-old son would catch the RSV virus and that masking could protect him.

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Meanwhile, the Ottawa Catholic School Board posted a message asking students and staff to follow Etches’ advice on masking.

“Given the increasing prevalence of flu, respiratory illness and COVID in our city, we strongly encourage staff and students to wear masks indoors,” said School Board Chair Thomas D’Amico. message was posted on the board’s website on Friday.

“Our joint efforts make a difference. Together, we can help stop COVID, respiratory disease and flu epidemics in schools, while helping hospitals and the larger community.”

“We know wearing a mask is a controversial topic, so please respect everyone’s personal choice.”

The message also reminds people to stay home if sick, wash their hands often, cough and cough, and stay up to date on vaccines.

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