Question 1

Is hand sanitizer as effective as washing your hands with soap and water?

Accepted Answer

Hand washing for 20 seconds is the number one recommendation for hand hygiene. However, when it is not available, hand sanitizer is a safe alternative. It is important to use a sufficient amount of sanitizer (dime size that has the ability to cover all hands and fingers) and ensure that you follow a hand washing sequence until all the liquid is absorbed. It is recommended that you wash your hands with soap and water after using sanitizer 4-5 times.

Question 2

Are professionals required to wear a mask at all times when in the schools since we are not based at one school?

Accepted Answer

Yes, professionals are considered visitors and thus they should be wearing a mask at all times when they are in their school, even when a 2-meter distance can be maintained. They may remove their mask temporarily to eat or drink.

Question 3

Do staff (teachers, integration aides, etc.) have to wear masks in the classroom at all times?"

Accepted Answer

When moving around the classroom one needs to wear a procedural mask. This also must be worn in common areas of the school. You can remove your mask if you are more than 2-meter from students/staff.

Question 4

What do we do when we are in an emergency situation and we can’t put on full PPE gear?

Accepted Answer

When you are working with a child with impulsive behaviours, we suggest that you wear a mask all the time and bring a spare change of clothes, so that you can intervene with the child right away when necessary, and change the clothes afterward. Once situation is over, take time to take care of yourself and tend to your needs; change your PPE’s, your clothes and of course wash your hands.

Question 5

Can staff wear their own masks?

Accepted Answer

Non-medical grade masks and face coverings are not recommended as they do not offer the same filtering capacity as the procedural masks do. When staff directly interacting with students within 2-meter, a procedural mask is mandatory and a face shield is recommended. When staff interacting with staff, a medical grade mask is recommended. If not everyone is wearing a medical grade mask, then a face shield on top of the mask is recommended.

Question 6

Do adults have the choice to wear a mask or face shield?

Accepted Answer

A mask should be worn at all times by teachers and school staff while in the classroom when a 2-metre distance cannot be maintained between adults and students. A mask should also be worn when in common areas (i.e., hallways, bathroom, etc.). A shield can be added in addition to your mask in order to provide another layer of protection; however, a face shield cannot replace a mask.

Question 7

Can I wear a bandana as a mask?

Accepted Answer

No, the required face covering must have a tight seal around the nose, cheek and chin area.  A bandana does not provide a tight seal around the chin.

Question 8

When should a mask be changed? Is there a maximum time for one to be worn?

Accepted Answer

Masks should be changed immediately if they become soiled, wet or torn or having taken it off for an extended period of time. It is recommended to have 3-4 clean reusable masks on hand each day.

Question 9

What's the best way to stow a mask while on the go?

Accepted Answer

It is recommended to store your mask in a clean breathable material such as a clean brown paper bag or in a clean brown paper towel. Be mindful that if you are taking your mask on and off you risk contaminating yourself with it. It is important to wash your hands before and after putting on and taking off your mask

Question 10

What is the difference between a mask and an N95 respirator?

Accepted Answer

Masks are a loose fitting protective barrier between your mouth and the air. The main purpose of a mask is to prevent particles expelled by the wearer from being released into the air, and to prevent others from infection. Masks can be homemade or medical grade and are mandatory to be worn by the public in indoor settings, or any setting where 2-meter distance cannot be maintained.
An N95 respirator is a tight-fitting device that must be fit-tested and provides more protection to the wearer when treating patients with infectious diseases. These are generally only used in medical settings by medical professionals.

Question 11

Can someone be exempt from wearing a mask?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if a student fits into one of the below criteria, the student is exempt from wearing a mask:
- Students with disabilities or disorders that stop them from applying or removing PPE themselves, or do not understand why we need to wear PPE and cannot keep it on (for example, some students with low functioning ASD).
- Students with facial deformities
- Students with mental health difficulties, such as anxiety (need letter from doctor)
- Students with a skin condition

Question 12

What clear masks are the best when dealing with hearing impaired children?

Accepted Answer

At this time, the MOSD (Montreal Oral School for the Deaf) does not recommend any mask that is on the market. There are issues with the masks, such as: they become too hot and stick to your mouth, they fog up causing people to play with the mask. Once the MOSD has found an appropriate clear mask we will be informed.

Question 13

Will students from k4 to grade 4 require to wear a mask when walking to/from our office or when they are working directly with professionals?

Accepted Answer

Students from K4-grade 4 are not required to wear masks while at school. A 2-metre distance should be respected between grade 1-4 students and adults.

Question 14

I feel safer wearing a mask in class, but my students are having a hard time hearing/understanding me. How can I improve the classroom?"

Accepted Answer

Make your classroom acoustically friendly by reducing hard surfaces (ie. placing posters on the walls, decorating the walls with soft surfaces such as bulletin boards or burlap), speak slower, make sure to pronounce more clearly, rephrase your message, use plenty of gestures and visuals, and reduce background noise when possible.

Question 15

What do I do if my goggles, face shield or clear mask fogs?"

Accepted Answer

There are a few different solutions you can try to prevent fogging (note that these will need to be reapplied):
- Rub toothpaste
- Rub dish soap
- Rub baby shampoo
- Use an anti-fogging spray

Question 16

Do I have to set up my classroom with physical distancing?

Accepted Answer

Students who are part of the same stable group (i.e., classroom) will not have to follow physical distancing guidelines. However, these students will have to maintain a 1-meter distance when in common spaces with students from other stable groups.

Question 17

Can students from different classrooms play together at recess without physical distancing?

Accepted Answer

The physical distancing rules of one metre between subgroups of students and two metres between students and adults must be respected during indoor and outdoor activities.
For the moment, given that it is difficult to avoid touching your face with your hands, especially during physical and sports activities, it is recommended that shared objects or equipment be disinfected between each use.
Children will be able to play with balls, provided they only make contact with their feet. It is important not to touch the balls with their hands. However, it is possible that the guidelines will change, based on new recommendations issued by the health authorities.

Question 18

Why are goggles not recommended?

Accepted Answer

Goggles are not recommended to use as they do not provide the same degree of protection as a face shield does. Moreover, individuals may adjust their goggles throughout the day while they are moving around thus increasing their risk of cross contamination.

Question 19

How often do I need to change my gloves?

Accepted Answer

The LBPSB PPE Task Force recommends hand washing over wearing gloves (when outside of the Isolation room), for more information please refer to the Presentations on the Website.
When wearing gloves in the Isolation Room, it is recommended to remove your gloves whenever you leave the room and to put on a new pair upon entering the room. When multiple students are in the Isolation room, gloves (and full PPE) should be changed when going from student to student.

Question 20

How often should my reusable lab coat be cleaned?

Accepted Answer

Lab coats should be washed at the end of the day, this will help prevent cross contamination.

Question 21

Do I need to wear a gown if I change out of my clothes at the end of the day? Should I change my shoes?

Accepted Answer

It is recommended by INSPQ that clothes are changed before entering your home, as well as shoes. Plan to change your clothes before returning home and wash them as soon as possible on the highest water temperature recommended on the tag. Although the risk of recontamination from shoes and clothes is low, it is best to play safe.

Question 22

Should I cover my hair?

Accepted Answer

It is highly recommended that you tie your hair back if possible. Try your best not to touch your hair throughout the day. It is not a requirement to fully cover your hair.

Question 23

Can an Isolation Room (Rocky’s Den) be a Multi-Purpose Room?

Accepted Answer

No, the Isolation Rooms (Rocky’s Dens) cannot be used for any other purpose.
The room is to be kept ready to use: 
- If there is no sink in the room then hand sanitizer is used instead.
- PPE gear put on in the room and taken off in the room. (Review videos/visuals.)
- Basket of items for students to use to pass the time.
- Room to be cleaned once it’s used.

Frequently asked questions