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Thank you Dr. Vinita Dubey of @TOPublicHealth for joining our Back to School @TorontoCPIC meeting to answer parent/guardian questions! #topoli #onpoli #onted
CPIC VP asks "What are the long term effects of #covid19 on children?" Dr. Dubey notes that this is a new virus and we are still learning more about the long term effects. It's only been 9 months, and this is why we must take every precaution. #topoli #Onpoli #onted
Great question from CPIC rep to @TOPublicHealth: what is response if there's a case at the school? TPH will perform a risk assessment, ppl in the cohort will be isolated for 14 days and asked to go for a test. Rest of school will be notified. The school won't be shut for 1 case.
TPH may err on the side of caution and ask multiple cohorts to stay home if exposure is unclear. A school setting is a congregate care setting in TPH's eyes. TPH protocols for school to be released by end of August. #topoli #onpoli #Onted
. @TOPublicHealth describing their worst nightmare: not being able to track where a #covid19 infection came from. If cases can't be tracked, additional measures to protect school may be required. There's no magic # of cases to decide to shut down school. #topoli #Onted #onpoli
. @TOPublicHealth says they are planning for a second wave. As community infection increases, schools can play a role at propagating transmission. There may be a point where for safety of everyone, schools may need to shut down. We should prepare for that. #topoli #onted #onpoli
. @TOPublicHealth says staff and students should install the Covid19 app to identify and trace contacts who may have exposed them to #covid19. #topoli #Onpoli #Onted
Q about quarantine: if students are isolating due to a test, do they have to test negative to return? TPH recommends that students get tested if there's a case. After 14 days, as long as symptom free students can return. Testing helps identify spread. #topoli #Onpoli #onted
If students get sick, TPH recommends they get tested for #covid19. If they don't, they may need to stay home for 14 days. #topoli #onpoli #Onted
Great Q around mask wearing; what's the best kind? @TOPublicHealth's Dr. Dubey responds "one that is comfortable for you". TPH notes they've developed infographics for school boards which they'll send to us shortly. Should be a snug comfortable fit. #topoli #Onpoli #onted
Dr. Dubey suggests that students keep a "clean" and "dirty" bag for masks. At the end of the day, wash the mask and reuse the next day. Cloth masks are recommended over disposable masks. Medical masks & face shields not recommended.
CPIC rep asks Dr. Dubey if you were a parent of the public school system, would you send your child back to school? Dr. Dubey responds that factors include: age, ability to follow direction, mask wearing skill, vulnerable relatives, ability to homeschool. #topoli #Onpoli #onted
Question about cohorts and itinerant teachers: itinerant teachers can see upwards of 250 students/day. What happens if that itinerant tests positive? @TOPublicHealth recommends 1 teacher/cohort as much as possible. Itinerants need to be very careful to maintain distance. #onted
