Home Health COVID-19 | Medical & Public Health Schools continue to make 3-layer masks available for students & staff

Schools continue to make 3-layer masks available for students & staff

In September 2020, the Ministry of Education provided school districts with $5.7 million to purchase 3.9 million three-layer masks for students and staff.

Island Social Trends

January 5, 2022

teacher, mask, classroom — BCTF wants N95s issued to all teachers in BC, said Teri Mooring in January 2022 before the return from winter break.

ISLAND SOCIAL TRENDS Holiday Season COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Wednesday January 5, 2022 | VICTORIA, BC

by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends

Teachers in BC are asking that N95 masks be provided to all teachers in K-12 schools. That request was reiterated by BCTF President Teri Mooring yesterday.

Island Social Trends inquired with the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health regarding the issue of masks in K-12 schools in BC.

teri mooring, bctf, June 2021 — BCTF President Teri Mooring [June 2021 BCTF photo]

It appears that funding is made available to school districts for providing COVID-related safety needs, including masks, but apparently on an as-needed basis, without the Ministry giving a directive to commit to full supply to all teachers at all times.

The funding mentioned as to school districts “for COVID-related needs” includes masks but is also being used by school districts for a wide range of needs related to the pandemic (including janitorial services, cleaning supplies, and additional classroom supports).

BC Health and Provincial Health Officer Dr Bonnie Henry always emphasize that masks are part of the public health toolkit for COVID protection. It’s unlikely anyone thinks a mask alone will protect them from getting COVID, especially given the abundant messaging about vaccination, physical distancing and staying home if ill. When discussing masks in this way, it seems to minimize the role of masks, when — of all the measures — are likely the strong frontline defence against acquiring the virus into the body in the first place.

Statement from the Ministry of Education:

jennifer whiteside, education minister — Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside: “We’ve been keeping schools safe and open over the last two years.” [Dec 29, 2021]

“In September 2020, the Ministry of Education provided school districts with $5.7 million to purchase 3.9 million three-layer masks for students and staff.

For this school year, $43.6 million was provided to school districts for COVID-related needs including purchasing masks.

Schools continue to make three-layer masks available for students and staff, and the Ministry of Education will continue to work with the sector to implement Provincial Health Officer orders regarding masks.

We continue to take direction on COVID-related protection measures from the Provincial Health Officer.”

Ministry of Health on N95 masks:

adrian dix, health minister — Health Minister Adrian Dix in his first COVID update of 2022 on January 4: “Fight on. Continue to do what we can all do. Everyone’s efforts make the essential difference.”

“While N95 respirators are typically single use and disposable, in the community setting they may be reused until visibly dirty, damp or damaged. Therefore, the lifespan will depend on its use, maintenance and care.”

“It is important to remember that masks are one of the several layers of protection required to reduce the risk COVID-19 transmission; mask wearing must be combined with other measures such as physical distancing, hand washing and staying home when sick. More information about masks are available at Masks (bccdc.ca)<http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/prevention-risks/masks#clean>.”

“It is also important to know that a respirator will only work if used correctly. Thus, the key elements for respiratory protection are fit testing and training of each worker in the use, maintenance, and care of the respirator.”