Thread by @bettybetty700

1/ FOI Request🧵

Take a seat.
Read it all.
Retweet.

Request: “All records within Premier’s and Cabinet offices, sent to and/or from the Ministry of Education, related to the province-wide reopening and closures of schools for the time period of Dec 1 2020 to June 2 2021”

2/ This 61pg document took two appeals to the Information and Privacy Commissioner, a mediator, 2 lost cheques, and 325 days to receive.

The redacted documents were ready in March but not released until cheques found. This (coincidently) happened the day after the election.

3/ The day after govt announced schools would close after Christmas break, Nancy Naylor (Deputy Minister MOE) asks for clear messaging that “in person learning should be reserved for very high needs students”

Doors shut on vulnerable children and youth. Needs not “high” enough

4/ There was concern over “the look and feel of most schools being open”

Did public perception/opinion take precedence over children who were locked out of their schools, losing access to the “village” that helps them flourish?

thelocal.to/the-kids-left-…

5/ On Dec 30, 2020, Doug Ford had a press conference where he mentions schools will continue online learning until Jan. 11th, 2021. However, Jan 4th, 2021 was the date in the release.

Steven Davidson (Secretary of Cabinet) is confused, along with scrambling school boards.

6/ Premier Ford indicates that K-8 schools are going back Jan 11th, 2021 and high school learners were home until January 28th, 2021.

How does his Secretary of Cabinet not know this? Who is making these decisions, and what data formed these heavy measures?

7/ On Jan 4th, 2021, the MOE Chief of Staff flagged an article that indicates that Dr. Ahmed (Windsor’s MOH) was extending closures. He indicates that Stephen Lecce spoke to the Chief Medical Officer (Dr. Williams) who believed schools should open. Lecce wanted “tight” messaging.

8/ Mr. Lecce asks for his Deputy Minister to reach out to Dr. Ahmed to get clarification prior to his announcement that was happening in four days.

Article:
windsor.ctvnews.ca/mobile/wechu-e…

9/ Dr. Yaffe and Dr. Tepper (Educational Health Advisor) spoke to Dr. Ahmed but he was adamant that he needed to extend school closures despite additional safety measures. He also states that other PHU will potentially follow his lead. He believed he has his community’s support

10/ Remember: Ontario’s announcement is in 4 days and they want to send a “tight” message.

Also remember: Ontario’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Williams, believed schools should open on time.

11/ Only 3 days later, the Deputy Minister is looking for modelling to be presented “to support an announcement of the extended school closures”

From Dr. Williams (who wanted schools open).

What changed in 3 days?
The data? Dr Williams opinion? Or public opinion?

12/ As Ontario ends school closures, on January 29th 2021, the MOE Chief of Staff asks Mr. Lecce to review some polling questions on school closures, child care, and March Break.

Did public opinion dictated policy and decisions or were these decisions data driven?

13/ On Feb 4th, 5 days after the polling questions were revised, talks have started over whether to delay March Break or not.

The unions did not agree with a delay but PHMT (Public Health Management Table?) is supportive.

They have involved MAG (Ministry of Attorney General)

14/ On February 11th, 2021, Ontario announces that they will be delaying March Break by one month to “keep students in the classroom and prevent further spread of more transmissible COVID-19 variants circulating in the community”

Break moved to April 12

beta.cp24.com/news/2021/2/11…

15/ On April 5th, @anthonyfurey broke the story that Peel was going to announce that schools would NOT be opening after the April Break. It was not Peel who leaked the details so this left Cabinet scrambling with messaging.

16/ By April 6th, 2021, Toronto Public Health joins Peels lead.

IMPORTANT: Dr. Vera Etches (MOH Ottawa) was NOT planning to close schools.

17/ On Apr 9th, 2021 (3 days later) Dr. Etches changed her mind. Closing schools will “underline the seriousness of the situation and hopefully assist people to stay home.”

This is despite the admission that schools do not amplify transmission.

So what justified this shift?

18/ Dr. Vera Etches claimed “other countries have consistently added school closures to strict lockdown measures to bring numbers down.”

All while golf and businesses in Ontario opened.

Ontario schools were closed the longest. Our children experienced the harshest measures.

https://twitter.com/calphonso/status/1381692881103163395

19/ In my opinion, this FOI:

1. Was delayed until post-election for a reason.

2. Suggests polls shaped policy, not health data

3. Shows many vulnerable children locked out of school for the sake of public appearance

4. Shows school closures were used to control movement

20/

5. Shows school closures were used to send a message of “seriousness”

6. Shows schools were closed in an effort to have a “tight” message province wide

7. Shows modelling was used to justify school closures, not the knowledgeable opinion of CMOH Dr. Williams.

21/ I’m angry.

As a mother.
As an educator.
As an advocate for our children and youth.

I am angry. And I want accountability.

Stay angry, Ontario.

We will be demanding an inquiry into the handling of this pandemic that left so many children damaged and broken.

Awful 💔

https://twitter.com/jennifersey/status/1533165226350329856

22/ Thank you @OntarioFamilie3 for all that you do. I look forward to our continued relationship while we fight for stability and accountability for our children and youth ❤️

https://twitter.com/et_to_m/status/1533513629538177025