School mask mandates again? Why some experts believe it’s a good idea

Many health officials believe the triple threat of viruses may hit Canadians again this fall. There are also new COVID-19 variants circulating.

As cases of COVID-19 increase across the country, some health experts are hoping schools will reinstate mask mandates in order to help stop the spread of the virus and other respiratory illnesses as fall approaches and warnings of a “tridemic” grow.

Mandatory masking in schools was phased out across the country last year. Eastern provinces, like Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, were the final provinces to drop the requirement, officially ending it on May 24, 2022.

But as students head back to school in the coming weeks, experts are cautioning about the looming risk posed by three prominent viruses: respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza and COVID-19. They argue reinstating mask mandates within schools may help mitigate the transmission of these viruses.

“The province should step in and mandate masks, we know that masks work,” said Dr. Catherine Clase, a professor of medicine at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont.

“We know that COVID spreads through schools… we know that having had COVID and having had a vaccine is not going to stop kids from having COVID again.”

She added that although COVID-19 vaccines are helpful in preventing hospitalizations and deaths, they should be paired with masks.

Last flu season saw a surge of all three respiratory viruses in Canada, especially among children, which was exacerbated by a lack of pain relievers. The situation led to increased hospitalizations and more emergency room visits.

Many health officials believe the triple threat of viruses may hit Canadians again this fall. There are also new COVID-19 variants circulating that could further exacerbate the situation.