Union says schools 'left to scramble' as province announces $25 million for school ventilation
In the fight against the spread of COVID-19 in the classroom, portable HEPA air purification units are front and centre.
"The air is pulled in from the bottom. It goes through two stages of filtration, and the exhaust comes out of the top," said the director of development for Aeroex, Erik Goglidze.
On Wednesday, the province announced that $25 million would go towards improving ventilation in schools with portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters as kids gear up to return to school.
The money will add roughly 20,000 new HEPA units to the approximately 50,000 units already used in shared areas like gyms, classrooms and libraries.
This includes all kindergarten classrooms regardless of the school's ventilation system, as these students are not required to wear masks.
It's a demand manufacturers, like Aerox, says will be hard to keep up with.
"The industry hasn't seen such demand in the past, and supplies haven't been able to adjust to the demand because of supply chain problems with shipping overseas and many other factors that go into it," says Goglidze.
"We noticed activity from school boards starting in late 2020, and it really picked up at the beginning of 2021. We are an approved supplier for the Ontario Education Marketplace, where we've gone through the bid process to become a supplier in that marketplace."
When it comes to changes in Simcoe County, the Simcoe County District School Board says funding last fall went to improving ventilation and filtration systems in its schools.
It could not provide any specific information saying it needs time to review the announcement.
Time the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation says just isn't there.
"Schools are left to scramble at the last minute to try and make sure these filters get into schools, but 20,000 units are going to be really a fraction of what's needed," said Jen Hare, president of the union.
Meanwhile, the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board says currently all, but one of its schools has mechanical ventilation. It too says it needs time to review the latest information.
"Right now, we've had the initial information presented to us right now. We need to take it back to our facilities people to determine the impact within our own facilities," said board chair Joe Zerdin.
It's unclear whether or not the units will be ready in schools across Simcoe Muskoka by the fall.
Both boards say more information will become available in the coming weeks.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.