On this episode of In Focus with Melanie Risdon, we discuss the topic of reinstating masking mandates in schools. Are they effective? Do they work to stop transmission or are they causing more harm than good? .Joella Shoemaker — one of the founding members of Families for Choice (FFC) — and Dr. Martha Fulford, a recently retired pediatric infectious disease specialist and former associate professor of medicine at McMaster University, join the conversation around masking mandates in our schools. .Tune in Tuesday Nov. 22 @ 5:30 p.m. MST for the full discussion..FFC, a children's advocacy group founded in Calgary in the fall of 2021, confirmed its support of the Alberta government's commitment to no mask mandates in K-12 schools following Premier Danielle Smith's announcement last week she will not support school boards reinstating mask requirements for children. The group consists of more than 30,000 families. .READ MORE: Family advocacy group pushes back against growing calls to remask kids.FFC said in a November 15 press release it's working with several high-profile medical professionals including two in Alberta — Dr. Ted Fenske, a clinical professor of cardiology at the University of Alberta (U of A) and Dr. Ari Joffe, a clinical professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care in the U of A, and brother to newly appointed Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Mark Joffe..Infectious disease experts Fulford and Dr. Jennifer Grant, a medical microbiologist and infectious diseases physician at the Vancouver General Hospital, are also assisting FFC with messaging on the topic of masking mandates for children..Last Monday, Ontario Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kieran Moore called for Ontarians to return to masking, but did not indicate whether it would be mandated across the province..READ MORE: Ontario's top doctor recommends masking amid 'triple threat' of COVID, flu and RSV.The Ontario Liberals also suggested Ontario Premier Doug Ford bring back mask mandates in schools and public transit to address overcrowding in hospitals and pediatric ICUs. .READ MORE: Ontario Liberals call for mask requirements in schools, public transit.“Once again, this government is slow to act, recognizing there is a problem only once it has become a crisis,” said Ontario Liberal Interim Leader John Fraser in a Monday press release..“A week ago, this government was advocating for children to be in class, but now they won’t advocate for our children to be safe in those classrooms.”.On Tuesday, the County of Essex, near Windsor, ON., reinstated masking policies in all indoor buildings due to an increase in repiratory diseases. .READ MORE: Ontario region reinstates mask mandates for indoor facilities.A press release by the county said surgical masks will be available at building entrances of affected facilities including the Civic Centre, county road maintenance buildings, Essex County library branches, Essex-Windsor EMS stations, and Sun Parlor Home.
