(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

CONFIDENT

Masks will arrive ahead of first day of school: Minister LaGrange

Aug 9, 2020 | 11:07 AM

Education Minister Adriana LaGrange says the UCP government knows exactly where it’s getting 1.6 million reusable masks announced for Alberta’s students in time for the start of classes in just a few weeks.

LaGrange stated in a press release Saturday that some have questioned the government’s ability to purchase the masks and have them to schools for day one of the 2020/21 year.

“Orders totalling 1.7 million masks have been placed ­– one to IFR, an Alberta-based company, and the other to Old Navy. The total value of the mask contracts is $4.2 million,” says LaGrange.

“When the school re-entry plan was announced on June 10 and a decision on how students would return to school was announced on July 21, it was indicated that the decision on masks in schools was still pending, as Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw was still considering emerging scientific evidence from other jurisdictions.”

LaGrange says despite that decision, Alberta Education, in conjunction with the Provincial Operations Centre (POC), went ahead with a contingency plan should Hinshaw eventually decide to recommend masking in schools.

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Hinshaw did just that this week, with students in grades 4-12 requiring masks. It will be optional for grades K-3, the UCP saying that issues with proper fitting, and compliance make it more difficult for younger students.

“Both Alberta Education and the POC are confident that masks, sanitizer, thermometers and face shields will be distributed to school divisions prior to the resumption of classes,” the minister concludes. “Students, schools and staff will receive their PPE for the beginning of the school year.”