And TEMPORIZING measures to support learning when community infection rates⬆️
We have evidence-informed metrics + tools:
-cohorting students/staff
-blended learning
-masking for source control
-broader TTI
-activity restrictions...
*3rd image👇🏾 (current state) is not acceptable
While the evidence has not changed, the "fébrilité" around returning to in-person instruction is more palpable than ever.
Education vs economy.
Patio vs principles.
I appreciated @petrosoniak's take on complexities in decision-making back in January:
People talking about babies needing to get infections [to build immunity] have clearly not spent enough time around babies who've survived infections to understand this is NOT a good idea.
The news doesn't quite capture the intensity of work at CHEO, and sense of futility as we get more kids admitted with RSV, rhino, flu, bacterial pneumonia, asthma.
I understand that the signal for public health action is when the acute care system is in crisis.
1/
What will it take for peds? We've maxed ED capacity, canceled surgeries, increased nursing and MD assignments.
Cannot redeploy more staff without a PH order, so relying on colleagues to volunteer.
Cannot create more isolation beds. Will not bring sick staff to work (good).
2/
I'm glad we haven't stopped masking at the hospital, and eye protection at point of care.
These protect staff and reduce further strain on health HR.
But we agree w many families coming in - society could be doing more to protect households during this viral surge
3/
1. While there seems to be tolerance for COVID to spread in the community, we should continue to hold certain institutions to higher standards, including hospitals and schools.
They provide essential services as spaces for learning, child care, therapy and development.
2. Masks + testing/surveillance have helped to reduce spread and keep schools open, making for a more stable environment during an unstable period of time.
Kids have been compliant - why change now, when test positivity is not decreasing and vaccines rates variable across PHUs?
1/Our back-to-school guidance for schools in Ontario is out!
This framework reflects a year’s worth of evidence, lived experience, and tremendous stakeholder engagement. covid19-sciencetable.ca/sciencebrief/s…
2/Here’s what the brief touches on:
3/Our group came at this with the shared perspective:
School is the “essential work” of children. Educators + school staff are critical to students’ work.
We have heard from educators, administrators, clinicians and child health advocates how turbulent this year has been.