Students stage walkout in favour of keeping mask mandates

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College students at greater than 50 Ontario faculties walked out Monday to protest the top of the provincial masks mandate, which leaves it a private selection in most indoor settings.

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“We wish to shield the neighborhood, our fellow college students, our lecturers, our members of the family,” mentioned a scholar, Owen, main a march at Danforth Collegiate Institute.

“We simply wish to make certain everyone seems to be protected. And by carrying a masks we shield others.”

A few dozen college students marched to the workplace of native MPP Peter Tabuns.

“I discover it a bit too quickly to be lifting the masks mandate, particularly since lots of people simply left the nation,” mentioned scholar Safwan.

A number of the college students mentioned inside the college it seemed to be just like most days.

“Most individuals had been carrying masks from what I’ve seen. However just a few folks weren’t as a result of now they don’t should. And nobody can name them out for it,” Safwan mentioned.

“Just about everybody I got here throughout was nonetheless carrying the masks. It helps me really feel safer that a minimum of different individuals are aware of different college students’ well-being,” mentioned Rameesha.

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The walk-out by scholar was organized by Ontario College students for COVID Security, which mentioned greater than 50 faculties participated.

The Toronto District Faculty Board had requested the Chief Medical Officer of Well being for an extension to masks guidelines past March Break.

The province rejected that request.

At Danforth, Rameesha mentioned “with all these restrictions lifting, it sort of feels like we’re simply seen as numbers. Even when we’re not put in hospital, our lives may nonetheless be affected enormously if somebody near us contracts the virus.”

They don’t seem to be certain what number of college students will ditch masks.

“It’s too early to say proper now. However there have been just some youngsters who didn’t put on a masks. We may have a greater concept by the top of the week,” mentioned Owen.

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“It’s a critical dialogue and we actually should get the phrase out to folks,” a scholar named Kieran added.

“I feel it will be higher and safer if we saved our masks on,” added Charlotte.

A minimum of one board — Hamilton-Wentworth District Faculty Board — is extending its mandate.

“This movement continues the masks mandate till April 1, 2022, to permit for a transition interval after the March break and for college students in search of to transition to distant studying,” a board letter to oldsters mentioned.

“College students and workers will probably be required to put on masks (non-medical or medical) whereas indoors in school and on buses till April 1, and will probably be strongly inspired to proceed masking after this date.”