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Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says even with rising rates of respiratory illness, especially among children, a mask mandate is not necessary at this time.
“I don’t believe we need that heavy hand of a mandate,” said Henry. “I don’t see the need for a mask mandate by itself because we have many other tools and a high level of protection.”
Henry said previous mask mandates were imposed when COVID-19 vaccines were not available for children and when there was a high rate of sickness and absenteeism among adults and restrictions on gathering.
“In that context, masks were important and necessary. We are in a different situation now. We have a very high level of immunity. We have vaccines. We have treatments for influenza, for COVID-19, for RSV.”
Henry said the latest data shows that the illness being seen most commonly among children in B.C. is influenza A, and to a lesser degree, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection.
She said overall, cases of COVID-19 were levelling off across the province, and with high levels of COVID-19 immunity and vaccination, a big resurgence of the virus was unlikely.
When it comes to children being compelled to wear masks in schools, Henry said previous mask mandates had negative consequences for school-age children.
Both Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix encouraged mask use in settings where it makes sense: on transit, in crowds, and when sick, to name a few.
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