ROTHENBURGER: Mandatory vaccinations the next step for schools

Her decision came as the number of COVID cases among younger students rises dramatically. That’s alarming because, of course, those cases don’t spread only among students, but from students to parents and others.

Imagine a child coming home and transmitting the virus to parents and siblings, and those close relatives — double vaccinated or not — carrying it out into the community before symptoms occur.

Kids can wear masks quite happily, and deal with the glass-fogging issue.

The new mask mandate has the support of the B.C. Teachers Federation though the union is still tentative on the issue of mandatory vaccinations for teachers. But the decision may soon be made for them with help from public pressure.

Just as most parents support the mandatory masking, a new survey shows most also support mandatory vaccines for eligible students and staff in schools. That call will get much louder when a vaccine is approved for younger kids.

Just as mask-wearing is now expected pretty much everywhere, and vaccine cards are an accepted part of everyone’s day, mandatory vaccines in more and more settings promise to become a reality. That includes schools.

Tuesday’s announcement that the Education Ministry is setting up a committee to decide on vaccine mandates all but assures teachers and school staff are next in line.

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 Pattison Media.

by Mel Rothenburger

ROTHENBURGER: Mandatory vaccinations the next step for schools

Our Community