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Back to SearchTORONTO, January 3, 2022 – As leaders in children’s health, we are saddened by today’s announcement from the provincial government. We know that in person learning is essential to the mental, physical and developmental wellbeing of children.
During this next two weeks, we are hopeful that government will do everything it can to instill confidence in families and education workers and support school resuming on January 17. This includes implementing the recommendations from Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, enhancing vaccine delivery for school and childcare workers who work so hard for our children and youth; implementing targeted vaccine strategies for kids five to 11; and continuing PCR testing and scaling up rapid testing resources in schools.
The harms to children and youth while schools are closed are significant. Children and youth with disabilities will lose access to in person school-based rehabilitation services. Virtual learning and a lack of socialization with peers will create significant stress and potential mental health issues for children. Children and youth will congregate in other environments that may be less safe than schools. Children may lose access to food programs. Parents—including essential workers—may miss work and important family income.
These are just some of the reasons why during this incredibly challenging time everyone must do their part to flatten this curve and adhere to broad public health measures. When community transmission is high, kids alone shouldn’t bear the brunt of measures to reduce the spread of disease.
Let’s all do our part so that Ontario families can look forward to in person classes resuming on January 17.
About CHEO
Dedicated to the best life for every child and youth, CHEO is a global leader in pediatric health care and research. Based in Ottawa, CHEO includes a hospital, children’s treatment centre, school and research institute, with satellite services located throughout Eastern Ontario. CHEO provides excellence in complex pediatric care, research and education. We are committed to partnering with families and the community to provide exceptional care — where, when and how it’s needed. CHEO is a partner of the Kids Come First Health Team, a network of partners in Eastern Ontario working to create a high quality, standardized and coordinated system for pediatric health care that is centred around children, youth and their families. Every year, CHEO helps more than 500,000 children and youth from Eastern Ontario, western Quebec, Nunavut and Northern Ontario.