Quebec, in turn, confirms that masks will not be compulsory for students during the next school year, but only “if the situation remains the same”. A sign that the danger of an eighth wave is real, however, is that the government wants to buy 30 million masks by autumn.
Posted 10:09 am Updated 11:36 am
Henri Ouellette-Vézina La Presse
“If the situation remains the same, no change is planned for the start of the school year. As Public Health reiterated in a press conference, the measures in force will be the same as last June,” said Audrey Noiseux, press secretary in the office of Education Minister Jean-François Roberge.
She recalls that wearing a mask, no longer formally required on the school network since May 14, therefore remains “at the discretion of each person”, as on public transport and indoor public spaces throughout Quebec.
However, in a tender posted on the government’s e-tendering system, we learn that at the request of the Quebec Ministry of Education, the government “wants to acquire 30 million Adult Level 3 procedural masks” so that all school service centers and private entities “can comply with the health measures mandated by the.” public health to be established […] during the 2022-2023 school season.
Apparently, the authorities also want to liquidate a reserve for the future, because “the contract provides for two options for the purchase of 30 million masks, possibly for recurring needs, on the same terms”. “A 30-day notice will be sent to the supplier to exercise any of the options,” authorities said.
Education Ministry spokeswoman Esther Chouinard explains that this call for tenders was mainly carried out as a “preventive measure”. “With 30 million masks for adults, the Ministry of Education expects to be able to distribute masks for a month and a half if masks are compulsory at all times. In the absence of a commitment, the masks will be available for those who wish to continue wearing them,” she says.
“We want to make sure we have enough masks in stock to be ready should the health situation change,” Ms Noiseux also commented in Minister Roberge’s office.
Soon an idea of the eighth wave?
The Quebec government’s announcement comes barely 24 hours after Ontario Secretary of Education Stephen Lecce confirmed that students don’t have to wear the mask and said he wanted them to “keep the clubs, sports and extracurriculars full.” exploit”. Activities essential to their physical and mental health”.
Speaking of “encouraging signals” last Thursday, the national director of public health, Dr. Luc Boileau, however, warned that the gradual decline of the seventh wave still requires great caution. Because, in his opinion, going back to school will “most likely” revive infections, as has often been the case since the beginning of the pandemic.
Quebec believes it will be able to model “what should happen in the fall” within a week, but warns up front that there will “certainly be a rise in cases again”. “We’ll see how it plays out over the coming weeks as we deal with a new variant. […] But right now, our goal is not to bring bonds back,” said Dr. boileau.
A new vaccination campaign will begin on August 15, beginning with people living in CHSLDs, private senior living facilities (RPA) or other living settings who can receive a new dose as a reminder. Prime Minister François Legault received his fourth dose last Friday.
However, many experts are urging the government to act cautiously and reintroduce the mask in closed places such as school classrooms. “This is a permanent measure that we can easily maintain,” epidemiologist Nimâ Machouf told La Presse at the end of July.
“While we wait to find suitable vaccines, I think the best solution is to take these few actions to at least reduce transmission, knowing that we will definitely have to live with it,” she said explained .