Hugh Mackenzie
Huntsville Doppler
A lot of people are nervous right now, and understandably so. Within days, thousands of children in Ontario will be heading back to school. Not all of them though. Some parents will decide to keep their children at home and many students will opt for online education, all choices allowed by the provincial government. Current estimates are that about 70 per cent of students will return to in-class learning this week.
As the economy reopens, as people start to get back to work, as kids get back to school, and as many health care experts predict a second wave of the virus, there are many people who sincerely question whether all of this is premature. And when the COVID-19 curve starts to go up again, as it surely will, as society begins to reengage, no matter how carefully, there will be those who will not hesitate to shout “I told you so” and point fingers at anyone, especially the politicians, who have the responsibility of deciding how and when to begin returning to some degree of normality.
There is another side to that coin, however, and that is what happens if we don’t begin to crawl out of the trenches and shed some of the restrictions placed on us by the COVID-19 pandemic? At what point do we suck it up, put as many safety measures in place as reasonably possible, and then, as they say, keep calm and carry on? Most importantly, what are the consequences if we don’t do that, not just for the economy, but for our mental health and that of our young people as well.
Earlier this summer, McMaster University in Hamilton, in conjunction with the Offord Centre for Child Studies, a prestigious research institute focused on child and youth mental health, conducted a survey to determine what Ontario families with children have been experiencing in the context of COVID-19. The survey was completed by 7,434 caregivers/parents, representing over 14,000 children. Some of the findings are troubling.
Most significant is a finding that almost 60 per cent of the caregivers/parents surveyed meet the criteria for depression and 40 per cent of parents/caregivers reported a deterioration in their children’s behaviour or mood. Thirty-two per cent of parents reported needing assistance with their children’s behaviour and/or mood during the pandemic. Parents also expressed concern about their children falling behind in their education and the effect this might have on their futures.
The survey also uncovered disturbing trends in increased anxiety for parents, resulting in a 68.9 per cent increase in alcohol consumption and an 89.7 per cent increase in the intake of cannabis. As well, 41.2 per cent of parents reported high levels of alienation, conflict or anger with their spouse, much of which included yelling and criticism. All of this had a negative impact on family relations.
The Offord survey is an important snapshot of what parents and families have been experiencing during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the forefront is depression and anxiety. Since the survey was concluded in June, it is likely that these finding have only increased over the summer, as fall activities loom.
This is not a pretty picture and to me underlines the urgency to return to a form of normality that will allow our children to return to school and parents to return to work. That simply needs to happen. Obviously there will be risks but as in any crisis or confrontation, risk must be balanced with an ability to move forward and with a determination to provide an atmosphere of hope, economic stability, and a sense of well-being.
There are many who will argue that while all of this may be true, the decision makers, the politicians, and, in relation to school opening, the Ford Government in particular, are not doing enough to keep people safe.
In a pandemic, safety first is a laudable slogan but it is an unachievable goal unless society is completely locked down. The achievable goal is as much safety as is reasonably possible as we return to some form of normality, recognizing that it carries with it an inevitable increase in the level of risk.
During the COVID-19 crisis, mistakes have been made at both the federal and provincial levels. Overall, however, decisions that have been made have resulted in better virus statistics than had been anticipated. Unlike Donald Trump, both the Ford and Trudeau governments have been assiduous in listening to and accepting expert scientific and medical advice when making the hard decisions they are called upon to do. In Ontario, that includes the reopening of schools.
Politicians are not magicians. They cannot make this virus go away and again, unlike Donald Trump, they know that. The Ford Government’s plan to reopen schools in Ontario may not be perfect but it is based on expert medical consultation and agreement. It is also a necessary step in moving forward. No plan will reach perfection and any plan must balance safety with an effective strategy and ability to provide this essential service to those who need it.
There will be children, teachers, and families who will test positive for the COVID-19 virus. That is inevitable as long as students are in school and no matter the class sizes or the safety measures. As of Tuesday, teachers become frontline workers, just like doctors and nurses and other health care workers. But arm-chair critics or those with a partisan or vested interest in denigrating the Ford Government are not going to protect them or the students they serve.
This is not a time for the politics of outrage or divisionism. Rather, it is a time to walk together through a field of uncertainty, concern, and necessity, hoping for the best, preparing for less than perfection, and plugging the holes as we go along, without acrimony, without partisan finger-pointing, just getting the job done, as best we can.
Surely that is the better way for all concerned.
Hugh Mackenzie
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Anna-Lise Kear: Well said! Teaching staff do have firsthand knowledge of teenagers’ behaviours (and elementary students’ behaviours). If only Ford and Lecce had actually acted upon the expertise medical advice and listened to teachers, parents, and the community with respect to class size. Physical distancing was, and is, highly recommended by experts such as SickKids as one measure to reduce the risk of contracting Covid. Yet, there certainly are more than just a few classrooms with upwards of 25+ students at the elementary level. Belittling Mr. Bishof is neither respectful nor helpful.
Mr. McKenzie; I do understand your reasoned point of view. However, I would encourage the Ford government not to fuel the division you mention.
My brother’s (Simon Jensen) letter to the eidtor, Toronto Star, refers to some quoted comments from our provincial leaders, reads as follows: “To the editor: Premier Ford’s preference for the advice of “.. some of the best doctors, health, mind (sic) science in the entire country…” over that of OSSTF president Harvey Bischof, “… some head of some teachers’ union …” is both misguided and insulting. Medical advisors and the government may have introduced the most stringent of protocols for the return to school, but there is no guarantee that they will be followed by every teenager.
What does Mr. Ford think will happen once class is finished for the day, and beyond the control of school administrators? That students will immediately return home, alone, or that they will congregate with friends whom they have not seen in over six months? And does he think that masks and social distancing will prevail during those gatherings?
Mr. Bischof may not have the expertise of a medical researcher, but as an experienced classroom teacher he understands the behaviour of teenagers. A greater respect for Mr. Bischof, who is the voice of thousands of experienced classroom teachers, would be a welcome change from the Premier. Belittling Mr. Bischof and the OSSTF will not keep our young people safe.”
Alcohol consumption is up: this is much easier in our buck-a-beer province, where pro-drink- anti-think, views have prevail.
Looking for changes in growth from provincial leader, Doug Ford and sincerely hoping these can be sustained.
Mr. Vowels; Trump is incompetent regarding his handling of COVID-19, full stop. He is in a category all his on on this issue, no comparison can be drawn with our federal or provincial leaders. Nothing justifies his lies to the American people, and ignoring warnings. He did not know what to do, he did not use the pandemic plan handed to him by the previous administration, and listens selectively to any sound advice given to him. He portrays himself as someone who knows better on everything; sorry, he cannot even run a business without bankruptcy and failure. The American people are paying the price with their lives.
In the US, with at 190,000+ dead, projected to reach 200,000 before the end of the year at least
Just a thought, if you are a fan of FOX News, change channels.
Everyone is doing the best they can , mistakes will be made as we have never dealt with a pandemic in our lives.
Let’s just work together and be kind to each other . It won’t be over till a vaccine is found and whining about how hard done to we are won’t help , think of those that have lost their lives instead and if you are able to wake up healthy each day it’s a bonus. Thanks to all the essential workers who are putting their lives at risk each and every day.
I actually don’t think it is legitimate to say either that things will be fine or that they won’t, with the schools re-opening. The only legitimate assertion is, “We don’t know.” Because we don’t — we will find out only with time. This is all new.
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Case numbers in Ontario are already going back up, probably due to Toronto’s changing to Stage 3 in August; I think it’s likely, and I hope, that this won’t affect Muskoka much. (Really, compared to many areas, we’ve been blessed.) The international numbers are pretty clear that short-term pain produced long-term gain: the harsher the lock-down, the faster they’ve returned to normal. But every country is different. We simply don’t know what will happen.
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We need not be partisan about it, as it’s a tough call for any government, but let’s not pretend that they are not rolling the dice.
Good piece Hugh. It was never possible to achieve 0 inflections and stay there (even in a country as remote as New Zealand). A vaccine remains the best long-term hope, but that remains in the future, and may never be 100% effective.
We cannot have the country locked down long term. We need to minimize the spread and the risks to those most vulnerable best we can, and move on with life.
Jim Boyes….. You too have accepted the Ford goverment’s absolute BS…..Tomorrow, thousands of school buses will roll across the province with 50+ people in an enclosed 225 sq feet for up to two hours against all erstwhile public health. School bus drivers have tried for 5 months to speak up to Mr Ford or Mr Lecce and have never received even a response.
So for you to say: “Let us take note of who prooves willing to do their best to be helpful and who attempts to make trouble.”, simply repeats the false talking points that the government spews to deflect blame. And I can tell you that there is not one medical/science professional who would suggest that 50 kids in 225 sq feet is safe/good public health policy. This sir is indefensible
I know this because I am one of those 18,800 school bus drivers
Thanks Hugh!
A very sound review of the issues, risks and strategy alternatives.
Now, let’s ALL be smart and responsible as we attempt to return to a more normal way of life.
This WAR, to defeat COVID19, is not over!
So far our governments (ie we the citizens) have invested several hundred billion dollars to protect our population and we will, no doubt, have to commit billions more.
As we attempt to get back to schools, jobs and social engagement let’s not forget this huge investment, to say nothing of the lives lost.
As in any war, the objective is to defeat the enemy … in this case a virulent disease with an extraordinary capacity to infect.
We will only win when we first contain and eventually isolate or eliminate the infection.
Until we do:
– WASH YOUR HANDS … often!!
– WEAR A MASK!
– PRACTICE 2 METER SOCIAL DISTANCING.
Let’s win this war!!
Hugh again you make a lot of valid points but I’m not sure you should be bashing Trump. As of right now it seems he has been reckless in not closing everything down like Trudeau and Ford but only time is going to tell just who did it right. Myself I’m thinking that just maybe shutting everything down and almost killing our economy as well as putting a lot of small business’s out of business might turn out to be the wrong thing when this is over if we are lucky and there is an end to it. I just hope that our health officials and politicians will not shut everything down again as that will be devastating to a lot of business’s. Your right leaving things open most likely will cause a spike in cases but no matter when we get back to normal this is going to happen. People worry about the death toll from this but we have no report on how many people died from surgery and other medical emergencies being canceled or people not going to the hospital because they were scared of the virus. We need these figures soon.
Hello what I dont understand is why the children not going to school to keep them safe is any different that our grandparents or great grandparents raising there children on there land grant totally alone. And personally I would rather keep my child home and not catching covid than worrying about 6 months or a years worth of school. This is my opinion.
Hugh,
Fair observations. Wise advise.
None of us is perfect. There are things which simply cannot be made ideal as we try to open up an complex enterprise like the education system.
It will be better for the kids and adults involved if cooperation is on every bodies mind in every instance.
Let us take note of who prooves willing to do their best to be helpful and who attempts to make trouble.
Excellent, balanced perspective when we need it Hugh. Thx
First…..”this is not the time for outrage or division”. All I can say is “wow” what hypocrisy!!!
The important point to make is that you do realize that at this point community spread of Covid could have been reduced to zero. At that point, you can safely open all businesses and schools without the fear of the virus. Without fear, citizen’s return to a normal life. Without community spread, the only concern is introduction of the virus from outside the jurisdiction. And with adequate testing tracing and ENFORCED quarantine, this is a manageable event.
And to you point “Politicians are not magicians. They cannot make this virus go away”. You are mostly wrong. Community spread could have been forced to zero by the end of June (over 2 months ago) just as many other countries have done. But our “leaders” have never enforced any of their guidelines ( indeed the example was set by the Premier with his “plumbers” trip to the cottage; with his family mother’s day event; all the while telling others to stay at home with only their household. We have had local leaders “welcome” seasonal residents from areas of high infection to areas of low infection….all for money and against the recommendation of the Local Officer of Health). Even today we don’t have adequate testing and tracing and this is now 5 months. (Adequate meaning if the test/trace isn’t done and reported with 4 days, it is exactly worthless and not worth counting),
No Mr MacKenzie, you have been drinking the kool-aid (and are thus eminently unqualified to offer this misinformation). Rather that do the yeoman’s work of effectively managing and controlling this virus, it is easier admit defeat and sacrifice the health of our children, accept the inevitable deaths and the full destruction of our small businesses (do you really think that 2 years of 50% revenue is better than 3 months of zero revenue…..there will be more bankruptcies from drawing this out than forcefully controlling the virus once).
When the history of this pandemic is written, it will simply say “It didn’t have to be that way. They had a choice”