Lambton-Kent school board and health officials are busy working to get schools ready for September.
Lambton Medical Officer of Health Dr. Sudit Ranade told Sue Storr on CHOK Friday morning that he's been working with his counterparts in Chatham-Kent and officials from both the public and separate boards, to develop reopening plans.
The provincial government released three scenarios last month for how schools will operate in September including regular in-class learning, modified alternate school days, or at-home learning.
Dr. Ranade said the health unit's role is infection prevention.
"Essentially we're are going to try to work with them on any model that they have to implement, to say how can we make this the safest or the most effective, recognizing that it's a very delicate balance," said Ranade. "We don't think that children are going to be affected with very severe disease, we also don't really think that children are a high source of spread of the disease. But, you have to remember schools are not just settings where children are but they're a workplace."
Doctor Sudit Ranade.
Dr. Ranade said it's unclear at this point if masks will be required in the classroom.
"I don't know whether the ministry will require students to wear masks," he said. "But in terms of my own personal and professional perspective on this, I think the pediatricians from Sick Kids released an important conversation starter about how schools should look if they're to open, and do we want kids in school wearing masks and is that a useful thing for them. Not just in terms of disease transmission, but in terms of their socializing, their learning all of the things that school is for."
Schools have been closed since March Break and learning moved to an online setting.
Boards are required to submit their reopening plans to the education ministry by August 4.