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For centuries, we have treated our physical health needs with ever-growing awareness of how to do so effectively. Mental health has also slowly entered the mainstream purview. But we still have a painfully long way to go in our understanding of its impact on overall health and how to support those with mental health struggles.
The pandemic and the public health strategies chosen to address it will, hopefully, illuminate the need to include another essential component in our understanding of overall health: Social health.
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Mask policy ramps up for all B.C. middle and secondary students, K-12 staff
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The province is doubling down on COVID-19 safety measures in K-12 schools across B.C.
All middle and secondary students and K-12 staff will now have to wear non-medical masks in all indoor areas, including when they’re with their learning groups.
The only exceptions are when:
sitting or standing at their seat or workstation in a classroom;
there is a barrier in place; or
they are eating or drinking.
For elementary students, wearing masks indoors remains a personal choice.
More funding is also on the way to help keep students and staff safe from COVID-19.
Posted:
February 4, 2021
K-12 school safety measures enhanced
Enhanced safety measures and $121.2 million in federal funding are on the way to British Columbia as the provincial government tightens COVID-19 safety protocols in schools.
The Ministry of Education today announced all middle and secondary students and K-12 staff will now be required to wear non-medical masks in all indoor areas, including when they are with their learning groups.
The only exceptions are when: sitting or standing at their seat or workstation in a classroom; there is a barrier in place; or they are eating or drinking.
Prior to these changes, masks were required for middle and secondary students and all K-12 staff in high-traffic areas, like hallways and outside of classrooms or learning groups when they could not safely distance from others.
Minister of Education Jennifer Whiteside.
BC Minister of Education Jennifer Whiteside announced new mask requirements in BC classrooms on Thursday.
Non-medical masks are now required in all middle and high school classrooms, and everywhere else indoors in schools.
Staff from K-12 will be required to mask up.
There will be significant exceptions, however: students will not be required to wear their mask while they are sitting at their desks, while they are eating and drinking, or when there is a physical barrier in place.
Wearing a mask remains a personal choice in the elementary school system. Updated guidelines for the childcare sector will be announced next week.