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Not Everyone Agrees With Decision To Lift Mask Mandate

Laura Hampshire
Mar 10, 2022 | 8:55 AM
Last Updated: Mar 10, 2022 | 2:00 PM
Not Everyone Agrees With Decision To Lift Mask Mandate

Source: ETFO



Not everyone agrees with the province’s decision to lift mask mandates for indoor settings on March 21st.

The Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) says the government’s decision is “ill-conceived and puts politics ahead of science.”

“It’s premature and runs the risk of undoing the gains made to contain the spread of COVID-19,” says RNAO CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun, adding “in addition to vaccination, the mask mandates are the most important defenses against the virus. Ontarians have grown accustomed to wearing masks, considering it essential to keep them and their loved ones safe.”

Statements against the decision have also been released by: The Ontario Hospital Association (OHA), Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO), Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA) and Children’s Health Coalition, which includes Sick Kids.

It says, “With the removal of the indoor mask mandate today, for now, we encourage everyone to continue masking in schools, if they are able, to reduce absenteeism and support sustained in-person learning as a precautionary and phased approach as we come out of the Omicron wave. We are pleased that the Chief Medical Officer of Health is continuing to encourage masking as well and that the government is making rapid tests broadly available. We may have to, and would encourage, a return to universal masking when there is a surge in cases that put children and their families at risk.”

The decision to lift the provincial mask mandate was announced yesterday by Ontario’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore, who acknowledged that he’d continue to wear a mask, especially in indoor public spaces.

“Throughout the pandemic, Ontarians have relied on public health officials to lead with a science- and evidence-based approach. Unfortunately, it appears that a fast-approaching June election is influencing politicians’ decisions to lift COVID-19 safety measures,” says Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) President Karen Brown.

The groups say despite the provincial government’s decision, children are still being encouraged to wear masks when in-class learning resumes after the March Break and everyone has the right to wear one whenever and for however long they feel it is necessary.

“The decision to drop the requirement directly after March Break is especially problematic, given that this is typically a period of travel and associated in the past with increased transmission – including after Premier Ford encouraged families to ‘have fun’ and ‘go away’ for March Break two years ago.“- Barb Dobrowolski, President of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association

“The decision to lift masking requirements later this month for the public is a judgment call. Given the risks and
uncertainties from COVID-19, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the unvaccinated and immunocompromised, responsibility for any consequences from this decision rests with the Government of Ontario. Ontarians can expect that masking will be required within hospital settings for some time as a patient safety measure.”- Anthony Dale, President and CEO, Ontario Hospital Association

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