.@m_layton asks @ BOH should masks be worn in schools? Dr. De Villa responds that masks in schools are provincial jurisdiction. Her advice is due to being in a period of high covid19 activity we should use all tools. She highly recommends masks in school. #topoli #onpoli #onted
.@m_layton asks why TPH doesn’t have the authority to impose masks in school? Dr. De Villa notes the province has made clear that schools are their purview. They have some leeway at a school level to impose masking.
.@KateMMulligan asks about the PHO report that suggests reimplementing mandatory mask mandates is recommended. What can TPH do and not do with respect to mask mandates? Dr. De Villa notes risk profile will go up and down going forward. Recommends masks now. #topoli
Dr. De Villa remarks on the PHO report recommending masking. Notes masks are an effective safety layer. We have protective tools and we should use them. Dr. Mulligan repeats Q. Dr. De Villa notes that high risk outbreaks where a specific actions can help in a setting is possible.
How is a setting classified as high risk, Trustee Donaldson asks? How can we best protect our medically vulnerable students? The Province specifies which settings are high risk. We must use all layers of protection to get through this increased period of covid19 activity.
.@kristynwongtam asks about city mask mandate being lifted, and the commitment that this would be re-evaluated if trends change. Should we bring the mask mandate back? Advice is to use more layers of protection right now. Would be ideal if province moved on masking.
.@kristynwongtam asks if province chooses to stay course on masking, will Dr. De Villa present an opposing opinion when it's warranted? She responds in the affirmative.
Councillor Cressy asks about letters of instruction that were issued in the past that required masking in schools. Dr. De Villa clarifies that the province removed that ability via a recent Provincial Act.
Dr. Mulligan asks about adding child hospitalization, covid outbreaks in schools and data about hospital workforce availability to the TPH dashboards. Are these datasets available? Dr. De Villa responds that they are.
Councillor Filion asks about adding the covid19 vaccine as a mandatory vaccination for schoolchildren. Dr. De Villa notes they've raised this issue on several occasions with the province.
Board of Health motions. Number 4 requests the return of the Letters of Instruction tool, used previously to increase local protections. #topoli 
Councillor Perks notes folks are confused on whether or not to mask. Supports the return of letters of instruction to apply local protections, as well as improved messaging around how best to protect ourselves and each other as risks change.
Motion from Dr. Mulligan to add relevant school metrics to the Toronto Public Health covid19 dashboards.
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