Trying to find out where the buck stops with enforcing #covid19 safety plans at BC schools - seems like a bit of a hot potato.
Hearing from parents, staff & @bctf president @TeriMooring plans are not being carried out the same across the province... #bced#bcpoli@NEWS1130 1.../
This includes things enforcing guidance on mask wearing, regular cleaning, minimum distance between students. I asked Education Minister @rob_fleming about this - he says it's up to the schools to ensure things are being done properly... #bced#bcpoli@NEWS1130 2.../
And @rob_fleming says there are processes in place for staff & teachers if things are falling through the cracks. But @bctf says relying on school Occupational Health & Safety Cmtes and @WorkSafeBC are falling short.. #bced#bcpoli@NEWS1130 3.../
.@bctf says clear provincial direction to districts is needed. @Rob_Fleming says prov has given clear guidance citing mask wearing (some schools haven't rec's student masks yet) & 1m between students (I say this isn't possible in most classes...) #bced#bcpoli@NEWS1130 4.../
He says that's a guideline to be done as much and as often as possible. @bctf president @TeriMooring says mask wearing, cleaning, classroom configuration remain inconsistent & it is clear provincial direction that is needed to change that #bced#bcpoli@NEWS1130#covid19 5.../
I also asked Education Minister @Rob_Fleming if, considering increasing #covid19 cases especially in metro vancouver, there will be more remote learning options available - again the province leaving that to districts... #bced#bcpoli@NEWS1130#covid19 6.../
As it stands the province isn't changing or giving more direction to districts & looking to schools to enforce covid safety plans set out. The @bctf says plans are inconsistent across BC, & staff recourse using OHS & worksafe isn't working. #bced#bcpoli@NEWS1130#covid19 7.../
Re the millions in funding from the feds & some from the province @rob_fleming says districts are reporting what they're spending it on and we will get to see a breakdown of this (prob after swearing in) but so far.... #bced#bcpoli@NEWS1130#covid19 8.../
Some district spending so far
800 teachers ($65-70 mil in salary)
64,000 remote learning laptops/tablets
25,000 hand sanitizer&1000 washing stations
"a considerable amount" on plexiglass barriers
900 custodians
100s of electrostatic foggers #bced#bcpoli@NEWS1130#covid19 9../
Who's responsible for ensuring BC school #covid19 safety plans are implemented & enforced? @rob_fleming says: public health, worksafe, health authorities & critically important principals, vice principals, support & custodial staff, teacher reps #bced#bcpoli@NEWS1130 10/end
BC's #covid19 update Nov 5
0 death - 273
425 New, 16560 total (record high)
12806 Recovered
Active 3389(3120) +269
VCH (5097) +126
FH (9439) +268
Int (803) +8
Island (274)+7
North (432)+6
Non-res (90)*
Hosp/icu 97/24(92/25)
Monitor 7519(7133) +386 #bcpoli@NEWS1130
Long term care LTC 28/2 (29/2)
(total affected - 1118 648 res, 482 staff)
Taber home, Pine Grove are new
Overall:
3.8% provincial positive #bcpoli@NEWS1130
Dr Henry: 1st school outbreak in Kelowna now over. Says it showed response works.
She's reminding people it is important for children to be in school - and it's time to pull back on other things like sleepovers, playdates, extra curriculars. #bcpoli@NEWS1130#covid19#bced
CEO @Fraserhealth giving an update on the dance studio outbreak in Chilliwack - asking people to support the business and those affected not stigmatize them
38 cases associated now.
13 school exposure notices but NO transmissions. #bcpoli#covid19
Re timing of notification of cases at the dance school, @Fraserhealth says first once came Oct 29, day of first case being known. Then tracers contacted people considered most at risk. #bcpoli#covid19@NEWS1130
Regarding some people waiting days for contact - @Fraserhealth says - from time case becomes symptomatic to test to result is a # of days then interview case then identify the contacts... #bcpoli#covid19@NEWS1130
Update in a couple minutes with Dr Henry and Health Min @adriandix. Will have three days case numbers.
Here's where we ended last week.
High new cases.
Low hospitalizations.
Seven days without a death from the virus. #bcpoli#covid19@news1130
Dr Bonnie Henry
No add'l deaths
Fr/sa 50, Sa/Su 37, Su/Mo 44
131 in days - 4065
VCH 1220(1167)
FH 2139(2069)
Island 148(147)
Interior 391(389)
North 96(93)
Non-residents 71(69)
Active 445(386)
Hosp/icu 9/3 (11/4) #bcpoli#covid19@news1130
Dr Henry:
1765 are in isolation being watched by public health
2 new care centre 7/1 (5/1) 673 cases 406 res 267 staff
George Derby LTC (separate from Derby center)
New Vista Care Centre #bcpoli#covid19@news1130
#covid19 update (was supposed to be tomorrow)
Dr Bonnie Henry:
NO deaths
New 34 total 3362
VCH 1049 (1043)
FH 1742 (1731)
Island 141 (140)
Interior 304 (291)
North 69 (69)
Non-residents 57 (54)
285 active (was 266)
1 LTC, 2 acute care
Yesterday👇 #bcpoli@NEWS1130
"We all need to take a step bacK" Dr Henry says & bend curve back down
Contact tracing 3-4 people is much easier than 20-30 per case which is where they are in past week. Taking longer put more people at risk. #bcpoli@NEWS1130#covid19
There are close to 1000 ppl in each health authority isolating because of Kelowna event. Dr Henry.
Just being outside isn't enough - you can spread this face to face outside.
Going to dinner don't exceed 6, don't table hop - puts others at risk #bcpoli@NEWS1130#covid19
Premier @jjhorgan saying they are starting June 1 for students to have option to return to school on a part-time basis.
This he says will allow smoother full return in Sept.
Says this is by *choice* no pressure to attend. #bcpoli#covid19@NEWS1130
Objective and top priority to make sure schools are safe- @jjhorgan
It is voluntary he says but believes it will be positive.
This, as all aspects of easing restrictions, he says is not the flick of a switch but gradual, safe and based on science #bcpoli#covid19@NEWS1130