Parent group calling on Manitoba to send home rapid tests with students over holidays
One parent council group is calling on the province to send students home with rapid COVID-19 tests during the holidays, a move that has already happened in Ontario.
Last month, the Ontario government announced students would receive tests over the winter break to prevent infected kids from returning to school, which would help cut down on the chances of school shutdowns.
“If parents want that option, then parents should have that option,” said Brenda Brazeau, the executive director of the Manitoba Association of Parent Councils.
Brazeau wants the Manitoba government to pull a page from Ontario and also send tests home, noting students could have more contacts over the break and now the Omicron variant is in Manitoba.
“Especially, like we said, with extended family. That definitely throws another stress into the matter, we just want families to be healthy.”
The Manitoba School Boards Association said in a statement to CTV News that if the province decides to send tests home, it would help.
“Should rapid testing for students be initiated on a larger scale here in Manitoba, school boards will continue to assist in the operationalization of such measures at the local level,” the statement said.
Esther Blum has two grandkids in school and their parents are both teachers. She thinks it makes sense to offer testing kits for kids.
“The more testing the better. I think I’d sleep better at night,” said Blum. “I think it’s a good idea. I don’t think the tests are harmful or they’re onerous, and so why not?”
Kids in Ontario are supposed to be tested every three to four days in Ontario starting on Dec. 23 and each student gets five tests sent home with them.
CTV News has reached out to the Manitoba government for comment.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Disappointment widespread over budget's proposed $200-month disability benefit funding
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
ArriveCan contractor to be admonished by MPs in extraordinarily rare parliamentary display
Enacting an extraordinarily rarely used parliamentary power, MPs have summoned an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon to be admonished publicly for failing to answer their questions.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Gas prices across Ontario expected to climb to levels not seen since 2022, analyst says
Ontario is going to see a big jump at the pumps later this week as gas prices in the province hit levels not seen in nearly two years, according to one industry analyst.
Ancient skeletons unearthed in France reveal Mafia-style killings
More than 5,500 years ago, two women were tied up and probably buried alive in a ritual sacrifice, using a form of torture associated today with the Italian Mafia, according to an analysis of skeletons discovered at an archeological site in southwest France.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s sons have released a single together
A new Lennon and McCartney collaboration is the last thing anybody expected.