The Toronto District School Board provides alternatives for people who have mask exemptions

BY PAUL JUNOR

The TDSB has updated its guidelines requiring masks and face coverings as of Tuesday, September 29th, 2020. The update notes that, “Due to the significant increase of COVID-19 cases in our communities and the resulting adjustments to these guidelines, this requirement applies immediately and retroactively, including to those whose mask exemptions requests have already been approved.”

The update requires that, “Staff are required to wear Level 1,or Level 2 medical masks at all times when indoors and outdoors. When unable to maintain a physical distance of meters.”

There is the requirement that, “School visitors, including parents/ guardians are required to wear a mask/face covering when indoors and outdoors on school property such as during pick-up and drop off.”

The guidelines identify the type of masks: disposable, reusable, and reusable homemade.

Face shields may be used as an alternative to masks. “In situations where a student, staff or visitor is not wearing a mask due to an approved exemption, a face shield may be required as an alternative measure of protection.”

Ryan Bird, the spokesperson for the TDSB stated, “We are seeing the numbers continue to increase across Toronto and elsewhere. After having practiced this for a number of weeks now, we have merged areas where we could lighten up.” The TDSB recognizes that there are many challenges that face individuals who may not be able to wear masks. Ryan notes, “We don’t want to take any chance. We understand that there may be situations where masks may not be able to be worn. That is why we’re encouraging the use of face shields because at least it provides some protection. Is it as good as a mask? No, but at least it provides some protection.”

There are other face coverings that are acceptable; religious coverings such as: hijabs, niqabs and burkas. “They may not be designed to filter respiratory droplets and may not be effective.” and it is recommended that, “A medical mask will have to be worn underneath these covers. The mask should not leave the nose and mouth exposed and must be tightly fit to envelope the bridge and nose.”

The TDSB specifies that accommodations will be based on the human rights of the individuals.

Furthermore, it is important that individuals who received exemptions from mask wearing are not treated unfairly. The policy specifics, “We expect all staff and students to be respectful for those who wear masks and those who cannot wear a mask for medical and other reasons for which an exemption applies.”

The policy assumes that honesty and truthfulness will prevail with respect to mask wearing. It states, “If students, staff and visitors are able to wear masks but choose no to, they do not qualify for a mask exemption and in person attendance at school or the workplace without a mask will not be allowed.”

Ryan Bird told CP24, “What we’re doing is we are making sure that we are taking all the precautions that we can, whether that is mask wearing, enhanced cleaning, screening prior to entering school, physical distancing to the greatest extent possible.”