Credit: CFJC Today- file photo

By Mel Rothenburger

ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: As parents rebel, extending Christmas break makes sense

Dec 2, 2020 | 4:41 AM

KAMLOOPS — PARENTS KEPT THEIR KIDS HOME from school yesterday. At least some did.

The purpose of the exercise was to send a message to health authorities and newly appointed Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside that the wearing of masks in schools — among other measures — must be universally applied and enforced.

The protest wasn’t a huge success as far as numbers go. Most parents didn’t even know about it. Many others heard about it only a day or two before. Some working parents with younger kids couldn’t make arrangements for sitters.

Even with social media, it’s a challenge for parents to become social activists. But those who took part in the “B.C. Student Sick Out” called into their schools to report their kids were staying home, and saying why.

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They’re fed up with the double standard being applied at schools as opposed to other places in which human beings gather. They’re baffled by the sight of students outside of schools freely congregating without following COVID-19 safety protocols. And they worry for teachers.

“We have never said that we want schools closed,” one parent posted on the event’s Facebook page. “We want smaller class sizes to allow for social distancing, some online learning and masks mandated. Not much to ask for.”

There are, of courses, logistical challenges to all those things, but the status quo is clearly in need of some tweaking.

While the stress of isolation from school friends has to be taken seriously, the stress caused by having to attend school with what the kids feel are inadequate precautions also has to be considered.

Extending the Christmas break has been proposed. So far, neither school or health officials are enthusiastic about the idea, though they’re “considering” it.

With the virus exploding, maybe everybody needs to take a break, take a breath, stay home from school and try again after the holidays.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops and a retired newspaper editor. He is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a director on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District board. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.