Will livetweet Minister Lecce's back to school presser, set to start 1:30, on this thread. You can tune in here: #topoli #onpoli #Onted
And we're 10 minutes late.
Minister Lecce up, thanks Dr. Moore. Acknowledges difficulty families are facing, notes that students should be in school. Pivots were required to ensure community safety. Confirms back to school on January 17th.
Confirms millions of rapid tests have been sent to schools & childcare centres, and that RATs are part of the new screening process.
Lecce confirms more school based clinics coming for children age 5-11, with parental consent.
Childcare staff & education staff continue to be prioritized at vaccination centers through additional focused vaccine clinics.
9 million N95 masks are available to education staff, + 4 million 3 ply masks for students. Notes the 3,000 additional air purifiers on top of the 70,000 already there. Notes every school has been inspected?
High contact sports will be put on pause, mentions stricter eating protocols (I'd like to learn more about this).
Lecce thanks Boards and education staff for our significant efforts to keep schools open. Thanks families & students for getting vaccinated and for patience. Dr. Moore up next.
Dr. Moore says he's "pleased" students are returning to the classroom, thanks everyone for their patience & perseverance. Highlights cohorting as a key safety measure. Sure hope we keep this safety measure!
Dr. Moore notes Omicron is more transmissible and has lower virulence. Compares previous model of cohort transmission to new approach, including take home PCR and rapid antigen tests for students. Take home PCRs will be for those who become symptomatic at school.
As rapid test inventory increases, they will take over from the take home PCR tests.
Dr. Moore notes sending children back to school will be worrying for many. Says they are adjusting guidance based on our covid19 context & data. Schools should be last to close and first to open for our students.
Reporter Qs: @cristina_CP24: Dr. Moore mentioned the testing changes will "empower" parents. Only when 30% of students have cases will parents be informed. How does this empower parents? Lecce says the RATs are new and will help families feel safe.
Dr. Moore notes that Omicron is less virulent so they changed approach. Adds that having RATs at home will let families know whether to keep their child home.
Notes that RATs are far more convenient and effective to help parents make go to school decisions. Notes community risk is high and that schools will reflect what's in the community (meaning that risk is high at school I guess?)
Dr. Moore notes the current closures and public health directives that limit contacts are still in place. Dr. Moore says schools aren't multipliers of #covid19 (*this needs confirming IMO).
Dr. Moore notes we'll have a better February and March 😬
Dr. Moore doesn't support a health tax for the unvaccinated. Says it's punitive. Adds they've only mandated vaccination in LTCs as the severe risk there supports it.
Why can't the government report cases online as well as give RATs? Parents want the public reporting. What will be reported are the rare child hospitalizations and whether those children are vaccinated. Notes they'll report +ve cases too, but not tied to a school.
Why only offer PCRs to staff & students who are symptomatic while at school only? Dr. Moore notes PCR tests are only a bridge to Rapid Tests. Wants to preserve PCR tests for highest risk environments (LTCs, hospitals). Notes antiviral pills coming soon.
Question from reporter on using absentee data. Is this effective as parents may keep their children home for other reasons? Dr. Moore notes there is experience monitoring absentee data and that 30% seems like the right threshold.
Dr. Moore notes that the #covid19 vaccine for children is new, wants more time to assess. Notes early returns in US are helping children avoid worse outcomes. Notes school based clinics (I think during the day?) are coming. Notes parent concerns & steps to mitigate.
Minister Lecce notes the 82% rate in 12-17. Notes hospital partners are key, along with school clinics. Lecce confirms vaccine clinics will take place during the school day by next Friday, with parental consent. #topoli #Onpoli #Onted
Lecce adds 3.9 million Rapid Tests will be available on the first day of school, two per student.
Lecce notes every school has checked their ventilation system (true, but those schools with older or no ventilation systems really can't improve the situation that much).
Lecce adds that students outside of their cohorts won't eat together now (is this the end of the cafeteria for now?)
Parents are wondering "what's safe to ensure parents can return?" No one knows where those 3,000 HEPA filters have gone. Will you confirm every staff member will have an N95 mask (yes) and will every class have a HEPA filter(no)? Lecce notes N95s for all staff have arrived.
Notes schools with no mechanical ventilation have HEPA filters in every class. (Can someone help me confirm?)
Notes every school has reported ventilation (true)
Lecce notes funding that allows boards to add staff. (Teachers were not permitted to be hired as part of the new provincial funding this year.)
Lecce mentions retirees can now work 95 days. Lecce announces First Year Teacher Candidates are now allowed to work in our schools.
Lecce notes that boards can hire parents to ensure schools are staff and monitored in case of high absence rates.
Q: Was the remote learning period necessary because the government didn't take necessary actions like boosting staff sooner and needed to buy time? Says wanted more time to observe Omicron and increase vax rates. Notes RATs & N95s will now be available on Day 1.
*staffed*
Q on RATs: Can you commit to a date when every student & staff will have a RAT in hand? Lecce confirms 3.9 million will be available, looks like high school students aren't part of this number; they'll get a pool of RATs for symptomatic students. Once fed stock in, HS will get.
.@calphonso asks what measures will be taken if 30% of students are absent? Will the school be closed? Dr. Moore notes local PHUs will continue to work with schools providing guidance & expertise. That relationship will continue (Phew!)
The local PHU will provide guidance and direction in an outbreak scenario. (Norm's note: Could the government just confirm this support will be the same as before? That would really settle all of us.)
Dr. Moore notes given the current covid spread the pre test probability of rapid tests is very high. A positive on a RAT is extremely likely a positive. Using existing inventory of take home PCRs, but waiting 5 days for a PCR result isn't ideal. A RAT gives you info right away.
About 200K take home school PCR tests remain. After they're done, RATs will be used in their stead.
Press conference over, will post government news release once ready.
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