Back-to-school season is upon us, and with all the supply runs and other preparations are concerns about respiratory illnesses like flu, cold, RSV and COVID.
B.C.’s Health Ministry has said they are following advice from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization to target the COVID XBB.1.5 variant with a new vaccination campaign this fall. Their strategy to reduce respiratory illness transmission also includes mechanical ventilation systems or HEPA filters in classrooms, and the distribution of COVID-19 rapid tests to schools.
Masking will remain optional in classrooms and student and staff absenteeism will be monitored, the province said.
Protect Our Province BC — an organization of doctors, teachers, nurses, scientists, academics and parents — has criticized this strategy as being behind the times when it comes to tackling the latest COVID strain, takes issue with the ministry’s communication with schools and families, and questions the province’s claim that schools are properly ventilated.
With these considerations in mind, and amidst our third back-to-school season of the pandemic, we want to ask:
Are you concerned about COVID transmission in schools this fall?
* Please note that all poll answers will be publicly viewable, but anonymous.
Please note that Tyee Barometer polls are only intended as a quick and engaging non-scientific snapshot of our readers' opinions on various topics that fit with The Tyee's very broad editorial mandate. They are not intended to be seen as a representative sampling of BC opinion.