MOH should mandate masks in schools

Editor:

(Re: Health unit strongly recommends mask use (Nov. 18.)

Dr. Gardner is quoted as saying, “Young children, the elderly and those with medical conditions are at increased risk of serious illness from these respiratory viruses, and we are already seeing the impact on the health-care system with more medical visits and hospitalizations particularly for young children throughout the province, including in Simcoe and Muskoka,”

“These trends are expected to continue as more time is spent indoors. By wearing a mask indoors and layering protective measures, we can help prevent viral spread and lower the risk of illness impacting our schools, workplaces, and local health-care system.”

However, he shied away from mandating masks in local schools, an area of public health over which his agency has jurisdiction.

So his bottom line message is: Hospitals are filling up with children with serious illness from respiratory viruses [COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)] and the trend is that more of them are going to end up in hospital. He knows that wearing masks would lower the risk of serious illness in our children, but will not mandate mask wearing in schools.

It doesn’t seem to me that he has the wellness of children as a priority.

Who or what is he afraid of that causes him not to do what he knows is in the best interest of our children?

Bob Charlton,

Stayner