Parents, teachers nervous about return to classrooms as COVID-19 infections surge in B.C.
As COVID-19 cases climb and the school year nears, some Vancouver Island parents say the time for mandatory vaccinations is now.
"My unpopular opinion would be that you only get to come if your family is vaccinated, because otherwise you're putting the entire class at risk,” said Jennifer Jollymore, who is a parent of two school aged children.
Teachers are also nervous about a return to the classroom with last year’s pandemic protocols no longer expected to be in place and infections now the highest BC has seen in over three months.
"I'm hearing more and more about, ‘What is the plan for September?’” said Winona Waldron, president of the Greater Victoria Teachers Association.
The GVTA is calling on the province for three things: The first is to fund the upgrading of schools’ ventilation systems. The second is for the province to announce what plans are being discussed for the school year if the number of community infections continue to climb. The third is for mobile vaccine clinics in schools.
"Set-up for the day at a school and anybody in that school community, including parents or caregivers, could get vaccinated if they haven't been,” said Waldron.
“I think that’s a superb idea; it should be done,” said Dr. Brian Conway, medical director of the Vancouver Infectious Disease Centre.
Experts say mobile vaccine clinics in schools would target a younger demographic currently lagging behind other age groups.
B.C.’s recent surge in infections has been driven by people who aren’t yet fully vaccinated, according to provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.
"It's mostly young people many who have not yet had the opportunity or many opportunities to get immunized, but now is your chance, particularly as we head back to school,” Henry said.
Although she’s pushing for people to get vaccinated, Henry did not announce any pandemic protocols for September’s return to class on Thursday.
In the mean time, parents can’t help but feel nervous.
"You know, with the numbers now and the rise in the Delta variant, I think (it’s) a little bit concerning,” said Rhianna Brown, a mother of one school aged child.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.
Trudeau's latest pre-budget pledge targets millennial moms, vowing $1B in loans for more child-care spaces
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
BREAKING Calgary officer charged after allegedly assaulting handcuffed man
A Calgary police officer has been charged after allegedly assaulting a handcuffed man two years ago.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
How do you navigate the social media minefield with your kids?
Growing fears about social media's harm have sparked lawsuits against social media companies from hundreds of school districts in the United States and now Canada. CTVNews.ca wants to know whether your children are addicted to social media or if you have concerns about their usage of platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and X.