the lack of a plan for school reopening has shocked pediatricians, rochowski said.
“it is stunning,” he said. “the question we have is: ‘where is this government’s priority when it comes to schools?’ ”
pediatric health organizations, including cheo, are bracing for the mental-health crisis affecting children and youth to worsen. community pediatricians are seeing more cases of eating disorders and other mental-health issues than ever.
rochowski said pediatricians who work with older patients are seeing high rates of bulimia and depression. teachers he has talked to fear high dropout rates.
he said even if it is just for the final weeks of school, reopening in june will make a difference to the well-being of children.
“it gets them reconnected with their friends, it puts a routine in the day and it anchors the day.”
importantly, he said, the government needs to indicate that the well-being of children is a priority.
“i would like to see the government address the issue of school opening in the same type of manner that they addressed the economy opening. if we have clear parameters for reopening restaurants and gyms, we should have clear parameters for reopening schools.”
rochowski said the ontario government needs to indicate whether it is considering allowing schools to reopen on a regional basis, something both ottawa mayor jim watson and medical officer of health dr. vera etches have called for.