Global Research, a Montreal based conspiracy theory website that has been identified by the US State Department as an outlet “that Russia has used or directed to spread propaganda on a variety of topics”, recently posted a claim that Toronto Sick Kids Hospital had stated that “Toronto Children’s Hospital Recommends Back to School without Masks or Social Distancing”.
When DisinfoWatch reached out to Toronto’s Sick Kids Hospital, they stated that ““The use of non-medical cloth masks/face coverings (NMMs) in the school setting is a complex and nuanced issue. Unfortunately, current evidence does not provide clarity on the optimal approach and needs to consider the broad range of student ages and developmental levels, the varying ability to practice physical distancing indoors, as well as the dynamic level of risk associated with community spread at any particular time and within specific communities. Based on current public health guidance recommending or mandating the use of NMMs in indoor public settings, we are currently recommending the use of masks for high school students (with consideration for middle school students) whenever physical distancing cannot be maintained (provided there is no contra-indication for developmental, medical or mental health reasons).”
While the Sick Kids Hospital “Guidance for School Reopening” document does state that “The use of non-medical cloth masks/face coverings (NMMs) in the school setting is a complex and nuanced issue” and that “current evidence does not provide clarity on the optimal approach,” a review of the document does not bring up the claim that the hospital is recommending that children return to school without masks.
While the document does state that “There is a lack of evidence that wearing a NMM prevents SARS-CoV-2 transmission in children”, the second half of the sentence states that despite this,“it remains likely, especially for older children and youth.”
