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Alberta Education Minister Adriana LaGrange speaking now. Guidelines for re-entry are evolving with evidence, she says. Alberta will make mask use mandatory for students in Gr. 4-12 upon school return, LaGrange said. #abed #ableg
Masks will also be mandatory for all Alberta school staff and bus drivers, LaGrange said. Mask use will be optional for students in K-3. The government will provide two reusable masks to all K-12 students, staff, bus drivers. #abed #ableg
The government and The Canadian Shield will provide 53,000 face shields for school staff to use. #abed #ableg
Alberta government also providing 466,000 litres of hand sanitizer to schools. #ableg #abed Chief medical officerof health Dr. Deena Hinshaw has more info about mask use in schools: #abed #ableg
Hinshaw said a literature review on masks was ongoing when the initial school re-entry plan for AB initially announced. Today's announcement is a result of that review. Alberta approach will align with Que., Ont. Nova Scotia school mask approach #abed
Students seated in classroom while distant do *not* have to wear masks. Students/staff DO have to wear masks while interacting closely, walking in hallway, in common spaces like school buses. #abed #ableg
. @TomVernonGlobal asks about class sizes. That's what we're hearing from parents. Any plan to find more space? LaGrange says if Hinshaw recommends smaller class sizes, AB will revert to scenario 2 - half kids in class every other day. For now we are in scenario 1. #ableg #abed
I ask, what if desks are closer than 2 metres apart, do kids have to wear masks in class all day? Hinshaw says, no, if all kids are seated and facing all same direction, even if desks are closer. There are educational benefits to seeing faces, she says. #abed #ableg
. @ashleyjoannou asks the minister, she's previously said schools have enough money to handle extra COVID costs. Why the change of heart? LaGrange says it's different if the province is mandating masks, which they are providing. #abed
. @LiciaCorbella asks about whether plexiglas shields could be used in classrooms. And how are we protecting elderly teachers, school staff?
CASS president Bevan Daverne says yes, some school divisions exploring shields. Depends on layout, setup of school. #ableg #abed
CASS president Bevan Daverne says yes, some school divisions exploring shields. Depends on layout, setup of school. #ableg #abed
Daverne said all school divisions are working with at-risk staff to come up with arrangements that will work for them. Safety is primary focus, he says. Safety of staff is getting additional work during pandemic, he says. #abed #ableg
. @DGrummettCTV asks what other jurisdictions you looked to for models on school re-entry? Did AB ever look at phased entries, as some other places have tried?
Hinshaw mentions scandinavian countries that took different approaches. Did not seem schools drove spread.
Hinshaw mentions scandinavian countries that took different approaches. Did not seem schools drove spread.
Hinshaw said also looked at Israel 7-12 school outbreak as an example. Significant spread there, particularly when mask use discontinued on hot days in that Jerusalem school. #ableg #abed
. @DonBraid points to a study showing possibly higher transmission in older kids, outbreak in Calgary Catholic summer school. Have you changed your thinking on transmissibility on children? Hinshaw said it seems in households children less likely source if adult gets COVID.
It doesn't mean the risk of transmission from children is zero, Hinshaw - but risk seems less likely to transmit. Under 10 30 per cent less likely to have antibodies, serological tests show. Another reason for Gr. 4 for mask use mandated, Hinshaw says. #ableg #abed
. @CBCRaffy says we've been advised mask-reuse isn't a great idea. How will this work in high school if students are taking masks off and on?
LaGrange said we're still learning, plans evolving. #ableg #abed
LaGrange said we're still learning, plans evolving. #ableg #abed
