Critics say removal of student mask mandate in Alberta schools premature, playing politics
CBC
Some Edmonton parents say they are shocked, baffled and angry that the Alberta government is eliminating mask mandates in schools.
When the restriction ends next Monday, Alberta's education minister says school boards will also lack the authority to adopt their own masking rules – a change from last year.
The Tuesday announcement prompted calls from parents, teachers and Edmonton's public school board to release the evidence that informed the decision as Alberta COVID-19 hospitalizations hover near record highs.
Edmonton parent Eddy Kent says he believes the decision was driven by politics, as the premier wanted to be seen taking a significant step.
"The kids, I think, have just been offered up as a sacrifice because the premier thinks that these children won't be as affected," Kent said.
Mask requirements for children have become deeply divisive, prompting protests in some rural schools, and driving parents to plead with school boards to axe the requirement.
Public health experts say it is one of several effective strategies to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
More than a dozen members of the United Conservative Party caucus have long been pushing Premier Jason Kenney for less intrusive public health measures. Kenney, whose popularity has slumped in public opinion polls, faces a party leadership review on April 9.
Some other provinces are also loosening restrictions, including Saskatchewan, where school masking will become optional at the end of February.
McKenzie Kibler, an issues manager for the health minister, said in a statement the seven-day averages of COVID-19 test positivity rates are dropping, and wastewater surveillance shows a decrease in virus levels in most regions of the province.
He said health restrictions can have an adverse effect on children.
"Given the very low threat that COVID-19 poses to the health of children it is no longer justifiable to continue to disrupt and restrict the normal lives of kids," Kibler wrote.
Critics say ditching the mask mandate ignores lower vaccination rates among school-age children, and that children can transmit it to people who are more vulnerable.
As of Tuesday, 46 per cent of children aged 5 to 11 had received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and nearly 19 per cent of children in that age group had received two doses. Children under five cannot be immunized.
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