According to the World Health Organization, washing your hands thoroughly using running water and soap, and then drying them thoroughly protects against infections and the spread of disease.

In a March 3, 2020 Globe and Mail article entitled, “Canadian health officials warn schools of potentially critical role in slowing coronavirus spread“, infectious disease specialists say that schools will become a focal point when the disease starts to spread more freely in Canada.

With these two thoughts in mind, we would expect soap to be readily and consistently available in all schools for students to use to effectively wash their hands. Yet, with provincial funding cuts to education, caretaking staff is frequently stretched to accomplish the many important roles they play in our children’s schools. Unfortunately, over the years, Fix Our Schools has heard from many parents with concerns over lack of soap in school washrooms.

Given the current environment, we urge you to check in with your children regularly to encourage them to wash their hands throughout the day and to ensure that soap and running water is readily available to them at school. If this is not the case, we encourage you to contact your child’s school to let the Principal know this is a health and safety priority for you and your family.