Administrator Mark Fisher tweeted Saturday morning that he would introduce a mask requirement proposal in all OCDSB buildings as soon as possible. It is not clear when the proposal will come before the board. Fisher told CTV News Ottawa that he was notified Saturday and will not have a chance to discuss it with the chairman or staff until Monday. The next committee of the whole meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at 7 pm Fisher previously told the Newstalk 580 CFRA that he was in favor of preserving the masks. “The mask for me is probably the simplest energy, the simplest health measure we can take besides ventilation and good hand hygiene and what you have and the distance to school. It ‘s just a very simple thing we could do “, said Fisher Friday. Ontario government figures show high absenteeism rates in local schools, with 20 OCDSB schools alone having more than 20 percent of staff and students absent as of Friday morning. Not all reported absences are related to COVID-19. The county and school boards no longer provide data on students or staff who tested positive for COVID-19 on a PCR test due to limitations on the suitability of the tests. Last month, the council failed to maintain a mask mandate ahead of its removal at the provincial level. The vote, held on March 14, a week before the end of the province’s term, ended in a 6-6 draw. Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson is calling on the provincial government to reinstate the masked mandate lifted in March. Local health officials strongly encourage the use of masks indoors. –With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Josh Pringle.
