Add the group that speaks for Saskatchewan’s doctors to the list of those wanting the government to make mask usage at schools mandatory when they re-open next month.

The Saskatchewan Medical Association met this week with the province’s chief medical health officer and officials from the health and education ministries  to discuss the back-to-school plan unveiled earlier this week and voice their concern over the fact mask usage is not being made mandatory.

“Saskatchewan doctors think it’s prudent to set the safety bar higher at the outset, then lower it when we know what we are dealing with.” association president Dr. Barb Konstantynowicz said. “Closed spaces with poor ventilation, crowded spaces with many people, and close-contact settings with close-range conversations are not uncommon in schools and these realities need to be front and centre in back to school plans.”

Konstantynowicz says she was happy to have their say and then have Education Minister Gord Wyant say they are considering making masks mandatory.

“I definitely appreciated the opportunity we had to share our position and have it heard.” Konstantynowicz said. “It shows the respect that is needed in a situation like this.”

While masks on their own will not completely prevent the spread of the virus, Konstantynowicz says the SMA believes their use is a very good way to make schools safer.