TDotMum

Dear Premier Ford, Over the last five years, we've witnessed increased circulation of illnesses in schools. The effects that this has on institutions, systems, communities, and individual families can't be overstated; that's why I'm writing to encourage the Ontario Government to implement policies and procedures in response. As a parent, I can anecdotally share that my child has missed 11 days of school due to illness since September and we have had (maybe 3 cumulative weeks without anyone in our three person household being sick. As individuals, we do everything that we can to avoid catching and spreading illness (we have all our vaccinations, mask in public spaces, wash our hands regularly, and stay home when sick whenever possible). This constant carousel of sickness is not sustainable and is detrimental to her learning and our working. We must institute effective infection control in schools. We've known since long before 2020 that children act as vectors, passing pathogens to other family members and then throughout Ontario communities. We've witnessed widespread illness decrease the quality of learning and teaching. Absenteeism and absences due to illness have steadily increased year-after-year since the start of the covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Whether it's students missing classes because of illness, teachers unable to find substitutes, or bus cancellations, all of these factors impact equitable access to quality education.

Many of these illnesses spread through the air, so the province must set and monitor school indoor air quality standards that correspond with international standards (ASHRAE 241) for decreasing the spread of pathogens. For any buildings that don't meet these standards, plans need to be initiated to address this through ventilation and air filtration. We also know that many of these viruses may seem mild in the short-term but can have serious long-term consequences (e.g. Epstein Barr may cause MS, measles can cause SSPE, and a number of viral infections can cause ME/CFS, to name just a few which will place an increasing burden on our already strained healthcare system. Recently, the New Brunswick provincial government committed to adopting ASHRAE 241 for all new NB Government buildings, including schools, and adhering to ASHRAE 62.1 standards for retrofits. They are also launching CO2 monitoring in all schools by June 2026. Now is the perfect time for Ontario to take similar steps and revive work on indoor air quality. If this government cares about accessibility and equitable access to quality education, changes must be made. Now would be an excellent time to change this government's legacy by tackling the conditions that continue the spread of illness. The cost of doing nothing is much greater than the cost of cleaning the air we breath. Sincerely, Diana Chard

Back on my bullshit. Adapted a letter from @popns.bsky.social and sent it to Douglas Ford, Paul Calandra, Sylvia Jones, my school board trustee and superintendent, MPP, and the principal of my child’s school.

Text says "Have you heard of Immune Amnesia?If you haven’t (and even if you have), we’ll tell you about it.” In the corner is an image of a man scratching his head.

Important to understand first: When your body is exposed to certain germs that can cause diseases, your immune system builds a “memory” of them, so if you’re exposed to these germs again, your immune system recognizes them and knows how to fight them off. Your immune system also builds this memory when you get vaccinated, so you don’t have to get sick in order to protect yourself from future infections. Graphics show a shield with arms holding a sword and fighting off germs. Another graphic shows a vaccine vial

text says "Important to understand first: Immune amnesia means something has caused your body to lose, or “forget,” its memory of germs you’ve been exposed to before, meaning you’re more likely to get sick and to experience severe illness if you’re exposed to it again. Measles can cause your immune system to forget up to 73% of its memory. In other words, after having measles, you will be immune to measles, but may be at increased risk of other serious illnesses. Did you know? Measles is not the only virus that can harm your immune system. COVID-19 has also been found to cause long-term harm to your body’s ability to fight off illnesses, making you more likely to get sick and experience severe illness.” Graphics show a stick figure shivering with fear because the shield in front of him is broken, and now germs are reaching him. Two pie charts: one says “100% memory before” and the other shows “73% memory lost after"

Unfortunately, there’s no way to predict whose immune system will be most harmed by being sick. It can happen to anyone! The best way to avoid immune amnesia is to get vaccinated & take other steps to avoid getting sick So please remember, it is not a good idea to expose yourself to these viruses on purpose in order to build immunity! That is what vaccines are for. Getting sick makes you much more likely to hurt your immune system! Graphics of a vaccine, a mask, and an air purifier and open window symbolizing clean air

Did you know? Certain illnesses, like measles & COVID-19, can harm your immune system & make you more vulnerable to sickness later. Protect your immune system by getting vaccinated & avoiding getting sick! Learn more about measles & immune amnesia: www.healthychildren.org/English/tips...

If that was true, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be hearing about it from some random mustachioed man on the internet..

Everybody wanted it to be over, and Carolyn Abramson in the Globe said that once they … things changed once they lifted the travel advisory, the travel advisory was a sort of a shift in the whole psychology in the city and all of a sudden everybody now was together.When the travel advisory came down, there was the City, the Province, Health Canada, everybody 1139 SARS Commission Final Report: Volume Three © Spring of Fear Did Politics Intrude? was outraged and fighting together, and then when they got the travel advisory turned back, everybody celebrated about that and once everybody were getting back to normal and everybody was … that is part of why the lack of leadership. There should have been somebody who said … nobody questioned it. [Dr.] Jim Young went off to China to talk about our successes and how we controlled it. [Dr.] Bonnie [Henry] went with him and [Dr.] Tony [Mazzulli] went with him and nobody said, “how do you know it is over?” including myself. None of us said “well, just because,” and it is such a simple question to ask and we blew it. It is just amazing everybody blew it.

(these Toronto public health leaders who blew the calls on SARS - notice the thread of Dunning-Kruger overconfidence that runs all the way through to the unnecessary deaths at Vigi Mont Royal)

Letter of the day: Let's clear the air on respiratory infections montrealgazette.com/opinion/lett...

There's a deeper story here that's desperately in need of coverage. Contrast Dr. Filiatrault's informed understanding of how to prevent respiratory infections with the disastrous decisions made in long term care facilities in Montreal in 2020.

If it doesn't get inside you, it can't make you sick.

Vancouver Sun headline "She saved us from SARS"and a photo of Dr Filiatrault, from a story about how she was able to prevent a SARS outbreak in BC

Ironically, the Toronto public health leaders who blew the calls on SARS are the ones it made famous - treated as heroes for cleaning up their own mess without killing too many people. You don't hear about the people who got it right, and prevented SARS in BC.

www.pressreader.com/canada/vanco...

An airborne virus is a virus that can infect other people through unseen particles in the air, sometimes for hours after the sick person has left the area! Masks and clean, ventilated air can reduce the risk of getting sick from airborne viruses or infecting others.

GO AQS and Clean Indoor Air Toronto Join Forces to Advocate for Healthier Indoor Environments GO AQS is proud to announce a new collaboration with Clean Indoor Air Toronto (CIATO), a leading advocacy group dedicated to improving air quality standards across Ontario. This partnership marks a significant step forward in the shared mission to ensure that the air we breathe indoors is as safe and clean as possible. As a demonstration of this commitment, GO AQS has officially signed the…

GO AQS and Clean Indoor Air Toronto Join Forces to Advocate for Healthier Indoor Environments

GO AQS is proud to announce a new collaboration with Clean Indoor Air Toronto (CIATO), a leading advocacy group dedicated to improving air quality standards across Ontario. This partnership marks a…

Toronto Board of Health Advocacy-CIATO Join Clean Indoor Air Toronto in sending a clear message to the City of Toronto that you want a city that’s healthier, more accessible, and better prepared for the future! Tell the Board of Health to...

Hey Toronto! Like to breathe clean, safe air? Me too! Please read and sign this petition to the Board of Health asking for better indoor air quality guidelines! 🌬️🍃 #topoli

Better HVAC and indoor air quality guidelines are something that helps all of us and is a game changer for a society that really believes in ‘let’s build better’.

This petition is a MUST sign 📋 ✍️.

Toronto Board of Health Advocacy-CIATO We have over 600 signatures, help us get to our next goal of 700! Join Clean Indoor Air Toronto in sending a clear message to the City of Toronto that you want a city that’s healthier, more accessib...

Toronto Public Health guarantees us clean water, safe restaurants and grocers, and so many things we take for granted.

It’s time for clean air.

Ask TPH to adopt Health Canada guidelines. Sign this petition.

Thanks.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com

Could you folks spare a moment to sign? Thanks!
@raghu-venugopal.bsky.social @lesliekasza.bsky.social @joeoliver.bsky.social @steveflindallmd.bsky.social @ccleighton.bsky.social @moriartylab.bsky.social @kashprime.bsky.social @lisaiannattone.bsky.social

#Toronto - the last day to sign Clean Indoor Air Toronto's petition for Toronto Public Health to adopt Health Canada’s latest air quality guidance is this Monday! cleanindoorairto.ca

Help let the feds know we need them to step up now to protect the Canada Healthcare Act - a source of great pride in Canada.

‼️Deadline to sign is Jan. 16, 4:00pm!‼️

www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en...

#MakeYourNoise
#NoTo2TierCare

/fin

Face masks ‘inadequate’ and should be swapped for respirators, WHO is advised Experts are urging guideline changes on what health professionals should wear to protect against flu-like illnesses including Covid

Our letter to WHO, signed by over 2,300, calls for respirator use in healthcare to protect patients and staff.

Covered by Kat Lay in The Guardian:
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...

Toronto Board of Health Advocacy-CIATO We have over 750 signatures, help us get to our next goal of 800! Join Clean Indoor Air Toronto in sending a clear message to the City of Toronto that you want a city that’s healthier, more accessib...

Adopting Health Canada’s indoor air quality guidelines would significantly improve public health while strengthening accessibility and climate resilience across Toronto. I encourage residents to join @CleanIndoorAirTO and tell the City you support a healthier, future-ready Toronto.
bit.ly/ciatodec25

Sick and tired?

Influenza test positivity is very high in Ontario and remains the highest in children (5-11 yrs) at 73.3% and adolescents (12-19 yrs) at 67.3%. COVID-19 and RSV are also circulating.

These viruses are airborne: we get sick by breathing them in!

But it doesn't have to be this way!

Toronto Board of Health Advocacy-CIATO We have over 350 signatures, help us get to our next goal of 400! Join Clean Indoor Air Toronto in sending a clear message to the City of Toronto that you want a city that’s healthier, more accessib...

This petition by Clean Indoor Air Toronto is trying to improve this. Please sign and ask Toronto Public Health to adopt new standards for #CleanAir.

bit.ly/ciatodec25

💯! And for those in Toronto: ask the Toronto Board of Health to adopt new indoor air quality standards cleanindoorairto.ca

Schools have become cesspools for cold and flu, but they don't have to be: Ontario School Safety The volunteer organization Ontario School Safety is calling on the provincial government to improve air quality in schools as flu spreads.

Flu fatalism is not helpful: we can keep the air in schools much cleaner and fresher, reducing the risk of infection to children and teachers. #IAQ #masks ottawa.citynews.ca/2025/12/21/s...

A door hanger cutout with a dark blue background. Indoor air quality has been shown to affect mental well-being, academic performance, and school attendance. Image of a white school with a yellow heart. Time to clean the air Ontario school safety logo Ontarioschoolsafety.com

A door hanger cutout with a yellow background. Each day, we breathe around 11,000 litres of air-enough to fill 20,000 water bottles. Image of two blue water bottles. Time to clean the air Ontario school safety logo Ontarioschoolsafety.com

A door hanger cutout with a light blue background. About 5 children in each classroom have asthma, which can be worsened by poor indoor air. Image of yellow lungs. Time to clean the air Ontario school safety logo Ontarioschoolsafety.com

A door hanger cutout with a white background. We spend 90% of our time indoors. Indoor air can be 2-5 times worse than outside. Kids spend most of their time at school indoors. Image of a yellow tree. Time to clean the air Ontario school safety logo Ontarioschoolsafety.com

Back to school means back to poor indoor air quality for our kids in Ontario’s schools and school buses.

Indoor air quality has been shown to affect mental well-being, academic performance, and school attendance.

These door hangers could serve as a helpful reminder that it’s time to clean the air.

Unfortunately the link does not allow us to learn more as it leads to no further information. I guess this is the extent of their knowledge.🙄

TDSB Advocacy-Clean Indoor Air Toronto Find us @ https://cleanindoorairto.ca/ Link to letters below. Please fill out the form below to add your name to the signatures. Governance and Policy Committee Letter Finance Committee Letter *...

#TDSB parents advocating for clean indoor air in all facilities!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Feel free to help by signing the petition🙌

#Toronto clean air advocates - something to sink your teeth into 😃!

Deadline: Noon on Apr 22.

Clean Indoor Air Toronto (CIATO) is asking the Trustees of the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) to implement a clean indoor air policy and to invest in HVAC upgrades,…

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Torontonians! Please sign and share across all your platforms!!

Many thanks for the tireless advocacy of Clean Indoor Air Toronto’s (CIATO) @theingredientslist.bsky.social and Heather & Ontario School Safety’s (OSS) @mjnabuurs.bsky.social .. great piece by @thegrindto.bsky.social -Share share share. Our children need Clean Indoor Air NOW!!

Monitoring air quality and improving ventilation in schools and all indoor spaces is good for everyone’s health.