School mask exemptions unclear in Alberta

According to Alberta Health minister Jason Maloney, there are fourteen schools in Alberta that have been granted school-wide exemptions from wearing masks, but the province will not reveal the names of these schools. According to interviews done by CBC News, some schools have faced pressure from parents on the topic of masks in schools, with some parents complaining that children who have mask exemptions are not being treated fairly during school. Masks are required for students in Alberta in grades four and up, and are recommended for children in kindergarten to grade three.  The president of the Alberta Teachers’ Association stated that the unavailability of details about how the province decides if entire schools can be exempt from masks adds to the stress and confusion of managing schools during the pandemic, as many schools are doing different things. Produced by Hannah Cunningham.