B.C. teachers call for 'culture' of mask wearing

The union representing British Columbia teachers is calling on parents to support a "culture" of wearing masks as it continues to push for a mandatory mask policy in schools.

Teri Mooring, the head of BC Teachers' Federation, says in an open letter to parents that the union is looking for help in implementing and following mask-wearing protocols.

Open letter to BC Parents from @bctf President Teri Mooring

Dear parents,
BC’s teachers care deeply about our students, your children. We are all working incredibly hard to make sure they are safe and receiving the best education possible during this terrible pandemic. 1/#bced pic.twitter.com/zmaMDD6qGy

— Teri Mooring (@TeriMooring) November 24, 2020

The federation has repeatedly called on provincial health officials to make masks mandatory in schools.

Mooring says some schools have already taken the step to make mask wearing normal and expected and it helps everyone to make schools feel safer.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has said that schools have specific COVID-19 safety plans and are exempt from the new mandatory mask requirements set out last week.

Henry told a news conference yesterday that students are in schools with a group of people they see day-to-day, unlike businesses where people interact with others they don't know, necessitating wearing a mask.

She says she supports mask wearing in common areas and among adults at schools.