Doctors urge Premier not to close down schools in the name of containing COVID-19.
Over 500 doctors in Ontario are encouraging Premier Doug Ford not to shut down schools in January, despite a surge in new COVID-19 cases fueled by the Omicron variant.
A letter was sent to Ford, Education Minister Stephen Lecce and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore.
As reported by CTV News, the letter says government shouldn't control the spread of the disease through school closures.
"Children and youth have experienced significant harms since March 2020 due to prolonged school closures, and we now must prioritize the needs of children and youth," the letter states.
The doctors listed a number of recommendations to allow schools to safely remain open, including more frequent and improved rapid antigen testing.
As well, the letter also says school closures have taken a mental and physical toll on children and youth, resulting in higher rates of mental illness and eating disorders.
Yesterday, the Premier states his government would make an announcement about in-person classes in the coming days.
Most of the province's public boards are set to return to classes on January 3rd.

Christmas Lights Stolen in Ingersoll
UPDATE: Cyber Security Experts Investigating Oxford Incident
PJHL Preview - Dec. 12th to Dec. 14th
Tour of Lights Begins this Weekend
Drunk Drivers Charged in Woodstock
Week Three Results for Festive RIDE Campaign
Woodstock Passes 2026 Capital Budget
WFD Respond to Two Fires in the City
An Impaired Driver was Caught in EZT
Oxford OPP Investigating Serious Collision
Interview with the Warden - December 11th, 2025
SWOX Christmas Lights Contest Returns!
Ingersoll Choral Society Presents: Christmas Bells
UPDATE: Snow Squalls Hit Oxford
UPDATE: OPP Officers Released from Hospital
R.O.P.E. Squad Searching for Suspect
Police Investigating Highway 401 Crash
Oxford Hires Director of Financial Services
UPDATE: Air Transat Avoids Pilot Strike
Safe Community Project Zero Comes to SWOX
Comments
Add a comment