Hope for return to “regular” school learning

With the vaccine roll-out plan now announced, North Okanagan-Shuswap Superintendent of Schools/CEO Peter Jory comments it is looking more and more likely that schools will be able to get back to regular learning by September, with perhaps some new practices in place that have been learned over this challenging time. “This looks like the light at the end of the tunnel.”

“However, until people are vaccinated it is really important that we keep focused on the layers of protection, as they are called. This means soap or sanitizer for our hands, masks in shared spaces, social distancing of course, and isolating when symptomatic.” He urges all adults who are able to get their vaccine to do so when the can so they can help make it safe for our vulnerable and for the overall health of our communities.

Jory added that although this past year has been difficult, and the past month even more so, it has also shown how SD83 students, families and staff have been able to adapt, meet those difficulties and move forward to continue the important task of educating youth.

For those who have not yet seen it, the government released a four phase roll out plan, which is based on scientific evidence, as well as expert advice and guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, B.C.’s Immunization Committee and B.C.’s public health leadership committee. The plan, which got under way in December 2020, starts by first immunizing those who are most vulnerable to severe illness and death, including long-term care residents and the health-care workers who care for them, remote and at-risk Indigenous communities, and seniors.

Phase 1 has had more than 103,000 people in B.C. receiving their first dose of vaccine and second doses are under way. Phase 2, starting in late February, expands immunizations to additional vulnerable populations, Indigenous communities and Elders, health-care staff and all seniors over the age of 80. Together, these two phases are focused on people who are most at risk.

Jory noted that at a recent briefing of Superintendents giving background and reasoning on the vaccine roll out plan it was reported that 75 per cent of the deaths from COVID are in long term care homes, and 90 per cent of the deaths are seniors over 70. “Stats show that an 80 year old is twenty-five times more likely to be hospitalized from COVID than a 20 year old. This roll-out plan is aimed at vaccinating the most vulnerable first.”

As age is the single greatest risk factor for severe illness and death, Phase 3, starting in April, will expand to include people between the ages of 79 to 75 and work backwards in five-year increments to include those age 60 and over. Also included in this phase are people with certain underlying health conditions that make them clinically extremely vulnerable.

As additional vaccines are approved and become available, people who are front-line essential workers or work in specific workplaces or industries may also be able to start receiving vaccines later in Phase 3.

Phase 4 is anticipated to begin in July 2021 for the rest of the eligible population, starting with people aged 59 to 55 and working backwards in five-year age groups until everyone over the age of 18 who wants a COVID-19 vaccine receives it.