'I do not think this is the right decision': Doctors, residents slam Ontario Premier Doug Ford's decision to delay return to school
The Ontario government announced Wednesday that students will not return to in-person learning in schools until September, citing the "fast-growing B.1.617.2 variant."
"At a time when our top priority is putting the third wave behind us so that we can safely enter Step One of our Roadmap to Reopen, we can’t risk increased cases and potential downstream impacts on hospitals and ICUs," a statement from Ontario Premier Doug Ford reads. "Making this tough decision now will allow kids to safely enjoy camps and outdoor activities this summer, and a safe return to school in September."
Remote learning for all elementary and secondary students for the test of this school year.
"While this decision was not made lightly, it has been done with one aim: protect the summer for families and deliver a stable and safe September for students," a statement from Stephen Lecce, Ontario's Minister of Education reads.
Ford said the province has put forward Ontario moving into Stage 1 of reopening to Dr. David Williams, Ontario's chief medical officer of health, and the province's health table, and is waiting for a response.
When asked if the premier is prioritizing the economy over schools Ford said he does not want to risk the summer, while the province had been saying schools are safe throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
"What I’m choosing is avoiding two million kids going indoors for eight hours a day for a two-week or three-week period," the premier said. "We don't have enough kids or teachers vaccinated, not to mention the second vaccination."
Ford went on to say that receiving a COVID-19 vaccine will not be mandatory for school settings.
"Do I believe in forcing anyone to take them? No I don’t, but I’m strongly encouraging everyone to take a vaccine," he said.
Ontario Science Table suggests schools reopen
A letter to Ford from Ontario's COVID-19 Science Advisory Table states that schools can re-open safely on a regional basis.
"Science Table modelling suggests that the total increase in cases that would result from re-opening schools is small," the letter reads. "Most public health units believe that they can mitigate and manage those increases in their communities."
"Surveys show a substantial deterioration of mental health status among children and youth during the pandemic. This deterioration is now evident in the form of increased ambulatory care use and hospital admissions, most poignantly for children and youth with eating disorders. We believe these mental health indicators represent the tip of the iceberg and that children and youth mental health will present significant long-term challenges during our recovery from the pandemic."
Following the announcement, people in the province, including health experts, took to social media to respond to the news.
I do not think this is the right decision, and the reasoning is unfortunate as the two shouldn't be related to each other. Messaging needs to start conveying confidence in vaccines and how this changes EVERYTHING. https://t.co/05HbEHSZDD
— Sumon Chakrabarti (@TorontoIDDoc) June 2, 2021
If you’re upset about today’s announcement, please re-direct your anger and advocate for a safe September.
This includes full vaccination of teaching staff and students, mental health supports, proactive testing, access to better masks, etc.
Our students deserve it.— Ryan Imgrund (@imgrund) June 2, 2021
.@fordnation just said "I do not want to risk Stage 1 [by re-opening schools]"
He made it clear that he chose the economy and Ontario's re-opening over students returning to in-class learning.
Just be honest with us—and why ask for advice if you were going to ignore it anyways? https://t.co/ym1RBAwX5D— Nathan Stall (@NathanStall) June 2, 2021
Reminder: Ontario's children are suffering because our government did not reduce class sizes. Did not improve ventilation in schools. Did not listen to experts. Did not follow the science.
Their inaction lead us here.— Naheed Dosani (@NaheedD) June 2, 2021
Ontario kids have been out of school longer than children almost anywhere else in the world. I am overwhelmed by sadness about all this. It feels like we adults have let our children down. https://t.co/Yg4XzcuVox
— Alex Munter (@AlexMunter) June 2, 2021
The decision today was largely a decision around values -one could have decided to spend our COVID social interaction budget for kids. The decision was not to do so. Let us work together (pro- and against school re-openers) to give the kids the value and support they deserve! https://t.co/nHkTwZy4ki
— Dominik Mertz (@DocDominik) June 2, 2021
Several other Ontarians, including parents, also took to social media after hoping the province would come to a different conclusion on school reopening.
I feel powerless as a parent, an Ontarian, a tax payer, a healthcare worker, and as someone who hears loudly what subject matter experts are saying. All I can do is amplify your voices. Keep speaking loudly so the rest of us can use your messages to spread sense and truth.
— Becky (@beckylearns) June 2, 2021
@JimWatsonOttawa I am begging you as a parent of two school-aged children, they need to go back to school! Their mental health will be affected by this for years to come. Please go against Ford on this one and open Ottawa schools! Please do everything you can to open our schools!
— Danielle Lacelle (@SonicTooth99) June 2, 2021
Yes. My little guy has been a trooper through all of this but had a breakdown yesterday. I will never forgive Doug Ford for his incredible and obvious dislike of kids and parents. This could have been done safely. They decided they didn’t care.
— Kelly O'Dwyer-Manuel (@kellylm) June 2, 2021
Ford could have spent $ to improve ventilation in schools a year ago. He could have planned for outdoor learning weeks ago. He could have prioritized kids. @fordnation "wishes he could visit every family and explain it" in person. Do it. Every parent I know would like a word.
— Gabrielle Johnson (@nonstopshopper_) June 2, 2021
What happens to students whose parents need to work to survive. What happens to students without wifi or computers. What happens to students with depression and anxiety. What an enormous failure Doug Ford. You don’t care about the children and the families.
— ellen23 (@ellen2327510032) June 2, 2021
I know teachers in my area felt kids were better in schools. It's not up to us though. I am glad my kids are grown but I feel for the kids, teachers, and parents. I'm tired of Ford blaming the border.
— Christine Denby 🏀🍁🇨🇦🥌⚾️😷 (@clio343) June 2, 2021