Mask mandate drops in Nova Scotia public schools Tuesday
When Nova Scotia students return to public schools on Tuesday, after the Victoria Day long weekend, wearing masks will be optional.
"I haven’t been to school since Grade 10 without masks and I am a senior," says Jenna Kedy, a Grade 12 student.
Kedy is fully vaccinated and is also immunosuppressed.
"It terrifies me, I’m very scared to get COVID and I have been since the beginning," she says.
Despite that, Kedy says she is ready for masks to come off.
"I think we’re coming to a consensus that I think we need to continue to live our lives even though there’s some devastating effects from that. I just think we need to kind of move on a little and live with it," says Kedy.
Halifax's IWK Health Centre successfully lobbied the province to keep the mandate when they previously planned to drop it.
Though it won't happen this time, the hospital is encouraging students and staff to keep their masks on.
"Our IWK emergency department and inpatient wards are experiencing extremely high volumes, and we still have staffing challenges because of COVID. Our group is concerned about the resulting impact on our pediatric health care system," says Dr. Andrew Lynk, pediatrics chair at the IWK Health Centre.
The president of the Nova Scotia Teacher's Union says the membership is split on the issue. Paul Wozney raises some concerns that the weakened system might break.
"We were already in the middle of a substitute teacher crisis before Omicron and that's just been made worse. So, I think we're worried. Masking, really, has been the only layer of real protection in schools since November and we’ve barely been able to keep the doors open on a day-to-day basis," says Wozney.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Robert Pickton to remain in medically induced coma until later this week: police
Serial killer Robert Pickton will remain in a medically induced coma for at least the next few days following an attack in a Quebec prison Sunday, according to police spokesperson Hugues Beaulieu.
Charlie Colin, founding member of the pop-rock band Train, dies at 58
Charlie Colin, bassist and founding member of the American pop-rock band Train, best known for their early-aughts hits like 'Drops of Jupiter' and 'Meet Virginia,' has died. He was 58.
'Five feet nothing': Pickton's safety likely behind Quebec transfer, says ex-prison judge
When serial killer Robert Pickton was transferred from British Columbia's Kent Institution to a maximum security prison in Quebec about six years ago, correctional authorities gave no public explanation or confirmation at the time, citing privacy.
'I feel betrayed': Ottawa-area customers out thousands of dollars warn of bad faith contractor
A group of people from eastern Ontario and western Quebec is issuing a warning about Dennis Walker and his company Vue Windows.
Fancy pigeon outfitted in custom diaper has free rein in B.C. family home
When Chrissy Chin volunteered to take in a fancy pigeon abandoned on a park bench, she never imagined she would one day be ordering custom-made diapers for the bird – who lives in her house and has become a member of the family.
'We'll need all hands on deck': Details emerge after deadly boat crash near Kingston
Police say they have wrapped up their on-scene investigation into a deadly boat crash in eastern Ontario as details of the incident begin to emerge.
WestJet planning new fare category for travellers willing to forgo carry-on bag
WestJet Airlines plans to launch a new cheaper fare category that would be available to travellers willing to fly without a carry-on bag.
5 dead and at least 35 hurt in Iowa tornado: officials
Five people died and at least 35 were hurt as powerful tornadoes ripped through Iowa Tuesday, with one carving a path of destruction through the town of Greenfield, officials said.
Woman found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017 matches identity of missing person in Switzerland
Genetic genealogy has helped Toronto police identify a woman who was found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017.