The BC Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) has raised concerns on social media in regards to the risks related to poor air quality combined with the health hazards of COVID-19.
The BCTF suggested in a tweet, sent out on Sunday afternoon, that students and staff should not be going to school facilities and sitting in crowded classes with no ventilation or fresh air.
Despite the BCTF’s call for action, school districts on Vancouver Island haven’t announced plans to close.
The combination of COVID19 pandemic and extremely poor wildfire air quality is deeply concerning for #bced. Teachers and students should not be in crowded classes with no ventilation or fresh air. #BCpoli, the employers, @CDCofBC and PHO need to provide advice and take action now
— BCTF (@bctf) September 13, 2020
The BC Teachers’ Federation call the prospect of heading back to class “deeply concerning,” looking to the BC Centre for Disease Control to take action and provide advice.
On Vancouver Island, the Greater Victoria Teachers’ Association (GVTA) is also calling on the district to “immediately close schools,” until the air quality returns to a safer level.
“Today students will be in full-sized classrooms with no physical distancing requirements, no outdoor learning, no open windows to compensate for HVAC systems with low rated MERV filters, and no mask policies. This is a recipe for COVID transmission, and students and staff will not be safe,” reads a statement from the GVTA.
The GVTA adds that it wants the school district in Greater Victoria to “prioritize reduction of COVID spread,” which the association believes isn’t being done under certain circumstances.
Although concerns have mounted as a result of heavy wildfire smoke creating poor air conditions across Vancouver Island, multiple school districts have announced their intentions to remain open.
The Greater Victoria School District has announced plans to keep exterior windows and doors closed while holding students in during recess, lunch and breaks if they can’t tolerate the smoke.
“As air quality ranges in the region, it also varies in the local areas of Greater Victoria schools. Therefore, in areas with high smoke density, schools will practice strategies that are similar to a ‘Hold and Secure’ when necessary,” reads a statement from the district.
The Greater Victoria School District also says that outdoor PE classes will not take place and that staff will monitor students with asthma or other breathing conditions.
Similarly, the Saanich School District has announced they will monitor the situation and “restrict outdoor activities as indicated by the advisories.”
The Nanaimo-Ladysmith District suggests that it has been in contact with a local medical professional as they monitor the situation.
“While staying indoors may run counter to the recommendations for COVID-19, other COVID-19 health and safety control measures in place in schools will continue to provide protection for staff and students. Also, our HVAC systems have filtration that allows us to maintain fresh air while also removing particulates,” said district superintendent, Scott Saywell.
Air quality in various parts of Vancouver Island, including Comox Valley, Duncan, Nanaimo, West Shore and Victoria, continues to be categorized as “very high risk,” according to the BC Air Quality Health Index.
The air quality has significantly declined over the past week as a result of smoke particles lingering in the air from wildfires burning down in Washington, Oregon, and California.
Graham Cox
