Thread by @jvipondmd

Next big debate in Alberta is whether schools should open again in 6 days. It's a tough one, balancing the role of schools in contributing to community spread, and longCOVID in kids, vs. equity with challenges in keeping kids at home for many parents 1/

Yesterday Premier Kenney continued to promote the myth that "in-class transmission has not been a major source of community transmission in Alberta and elsewhere" (timestamp 33:01) 2/

In reality the 4th #intentionallycruelwave was driven entirely by the unvaccinated in the 5-11 age group, as seen by AB Health's data. And we enter the January school period with most of these kids unvaccinated, still only 34% with one shot, inadequate protection for omicron. 3/

I think we need to recognize that even if we push forward with schools opening, the inadequate masks, ventilation, filtration, and lunch policies will result in schools being shortly overwhelmed and closed anyway, probably due to plentiful teachers/admins falling ill. 4/

We know other jurisdictions a few weeks ahead of us are seeing exponential growth of paediatric hospitalizations for COVID. We still don't know what the potential for LongCOVID in kids (or adults) is with Omicron. We don't know... a lot. 5/

So, I think it is wise to have a period of online school. Use the time to covid proof our schools, procuring high quality masks, doing ventilation assessments, installing HEPA filters where needed, and developing safe(ish) lunch/snack policies. 6/

This is a predictable virus. We know, via math and epidemiology, what will happen if we force schools to open in the midst of this tsunami of Omicron. Let's use the precautionary principle to protect our kids, and our society. And use policy to support parents and families. fin/