Masks are a low-cost, low-harm, high-benefit tool to protect children, educators, and our communities. There are real, immediate health risks and risks for long-term disability that can be significantly lowered with masks. We need to combine our individual voices to prepare for the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and avoid needless suffering in our community.
Phone or e-mail NWT Premier Caroline Cochrane and Minister of Education R.J. Simpson telling them you want smaller class sizes, mandatory masks for K-12, improved ventilation, and rapid testing. Use our scripts below but tell your own story.
Contact Premier Caroline Cochrane
Email: premier@gov.nt.ca
Phone: 867-767-9140 ext. 11080
Contact Minister R.J. Simpson (Education)
Email: Rj_simpson@gov.nt.ca
Phone: 867-767-9141 ext. 11120
Contact Minister Diane Thom (Health)
Email: Diane_Thom@gov.nt.ca
Phone: 867-767-9141 ext. 11124
PHONE SCRIPT
“Hello, my name is Jane Doe and I’m a [your city] resident. I want to thank you for your leadership in driving policy for safe schools for our teachers and children. I am a parent/educator and I am not comfortable with sending my children to school/teaching in classrooms knowing there will be some kids without masks. I am aware that the Government of Northwest Territories is providing the flexibility for each school to reopen based on their specific circumstance, however, indoor masking should not just be encouraged but rather, mandated across all schools. I believe more needs to be done.
I am calling to make five requests. First, we need classroom sizes to be reduced to a maximum of 15 students because we want to make it possible to maintain two meters of physical distancing. Second, we must mandate masks for children from JK-12 grade because children are not immune to COVID-19 and they can spread the virus to educators and family members. Third, funding for ventilation because when the students remove their masks for lunchtime, there must be solid air purification units present to reduce transmission. Lastly, we need saliva rapid testing in order to track cases and reduce the likelihood of outbreaks, as well as an outbreak management plan in case a student/faculty tests positive.
Our children want to go back to school, but we fear that the province’s plan is not safe enough. This is an urgent matter. We need to keep everyone safe and healthy so please consider my requests. Thank you.”
LETTER SCRIPT
Dear Premier Cochrane,
Thank you for your ongoing work during the COVID-19 crisis. As a parent/educator/grandparent of K-12 children in public school, I am deeply concerned that our school reopening plan is not safe enough and does not follow the science of COVID-19 safety. I am asking that you use funds from the Federal COVID recovery fund to fund safe schools.
Here are my requests:
1. I want small class sizes to enable 2m distancing; 1m is not enough. We need 15 students per classroom.
2. Mandate masks for children from JK-12. Young children are not adept at social distancing and will need masks to reduce transmission. Parents can educate children to wear masks using the 4 P’s: Play, Practice, Preparation, and Patience. Parents can also work to find a comfortable, well-fitting mask for their children.
3. Ventilation: Please release more funds for purchase of air purification units in classrooms.
4. Rapid tests: Please pilot rapid saliva-based testing in all schools and work with Health Canada to get these tests approved. Rapid testing will catch asymptomatic cases, and reduce the chance of outbreaks.
5. Outbreak management plan: We need a plan for what happens when a child or class or staff member tests positive. Please provide one.
Outbreaks in Germany, Israel, and US schools and day camps are very concerning. We don’t want our children and teachers to be statistics. Please implement the requests above to create a stronger school plan.
Thank you,
Jane Doe
[City, Province – Postal Code]
Contact Premier Caroline Cochrane
Email: premier@gov.nt.ca
Phone: 867-767-9140 ext.11080
Contact Minister R.J. Simpson (Education)
Email: Rj_simpson@gov.nt.ca
Phone: 867-767-9141 ext. 11120
Contact Minister Diane Thom (Health)
Email: Diane_Thom@gov.nt.ca
Phone: 867-767-9141 ext. 11124
SAMPLE MAIL/EMAIL LETTER TIPS
Address your letter to your: 1) Premier, 2) Minister of Education and 3) Minister of Health. CC the Provincial education critic. If possible, CC your MPP, Mayor.
Tips for a successful letter:
1. Include your full address including postal code, e-mail contact, and phone number
2. Customize your letter – tell YOUR study, make YOUR demands
3. CC your Provincial education critic; they will track your letter too.
4. Ask a question. This increases your chance of getting an acknowledgment/reply. E.g. “Will you fund smaller class sizes? Will you mandate masks?”