Students enraged over back-to-school COVID regulations

Hordes of students protest in wake of newly implemented safety precautions

By Sonam Kaloti, Arts Editor

“I want to go home!” a teen cries after her 11th grade teacher announces the new safety protocols implemented at Tim Foyle Hatt Highschool. She is just one of the thousands of teens in the Greater Vancouver area negatively impacted by new COVID-centric school rules.

The Other Press interviewed Tyrone Grandall—a neighborhood resident—over his concerns with school children going back to school during these times.

“It just makes no sense to me,” Grandall said, “I had to call Tim Foyle High’s reception desk and yell at them just earlier this month because these dang kids are in a group of thirty outside playing their band instruments!”

Grandall looked morosely at the smoky sky. On September 13, local New Westminster pier park erupted into a blaze. Alongside smoke coming in from forest fires, Vancouver’s air quality had become the worst in the world for an extended period.

“COVID’s happening, we had the worst air quality in the world, and Tim Foyle decides to send their kids outside to play band instruments. Unbelievable,” Grandall said.

Although school staff are trying to implement safety protocols, for many teenagers, the protocols feel more like rules that are meant to be broken.

“I don’t want to wear a mask! It feels like I can’t breathe!” student Lola O’Doherty said in an interview with the Other Press. When asked on how she would feel about the repercussions, such as breathing difficulties with COVID symptoms like pneumonia, O’Doherty said “No comment.”

Tim Foyle High’s recognized star athlete, Ollie Jenkins, believes COVID is a lie. After being tested positive for the virus a few months back in May, Jenkins discovered his immunity to the symptoms. Jenkins, aware the virus cannot affect him, continues to go to parties and large social gatherings. “COVID? Nah [sic] that shit isn’t real. Even if it is—so what? It doesn’t hurt me so why shouldn’t I keep having fun? It’s senior year!” Jenkins said on the matter.