Quebec teachers’ unions are denouncing the government’s decision to reopen primary and secondary schools without providing teachers with N95 masks and equipping all classrooms with mechanical ventilation systems. The Quebec government said during a technical briefing on Friday that CO2 readers will come to Quebec classrooms this week, to better assess ventilation needs in Quebec schools. N95 masks for teachers of special classes onlyRoberge also announced that N95 masks will only be made available to teachers who work in special settings for students with disabilities, as those students may not be able to wear their own masks. In a review of the scientific literature carried out before the Omicron wave, the INSPQ found that in laboratory tests, correctly fitted N95 masks better block small aerosol particles than procedural masks. Ontario, meanwhile, is sending millions of N95 masks to school staff, while Manitoba is distributing KN95s to the general public.

Source: CBC News January 14, 2022 19:28 UTC