Parents 'crowdsource' self-reporting website for school COVID-19 cases
Frustrated that school-related COVID-19 cases are no longer being reported by their child's school, a pair of Kincardine, Ont. parents have decided to take matter into their own hands.
“We’re parents of a six-year-old. So, trying to decide whether to send your child to school or not becomes a lot trickier when we don’t have numbers and caseloads. So, we went looking for a way to try and find more information, to help us make an informed decision,” says Keith Foster, the web designer and Kincardine parent behind covid.inkincardine.com.
Keith and Sarah Foster are the parents behind the website where Kincardine-area families can self-report their child’s positive COVID-19 rapid tests and/or their COVID-19-related household isolation.
They’re currently taking in self-reports for nine schools and daycares in Kincardine, Walkerton and Ripley.
“What we’re tracking is really absenteeism at the schools in our area, so we can look at the data and say, should I send our kids to school, rather than just guessing. We now have a least a little bit more information to make somewhat of a more informed decision,” says Keith.
As of Dec. 24, 2021, Ontario schools no longer have to report individual COVID-19 cases to the public. They’re only required to tell parents when absenteeism surpasses 30 per cent.
The Bluewater District School Board says they’ll be following the 30 per cent threshold, while officials with the Avon Maitland District School Board says they’re still deciding on their COVID-19 reporting.
“We’ve had both positive and negative feedback so far. Some folks think it’s just fear mongering by putting the numbers out there, but others have found it really helpful and have encouraged parents to bookmark it and use it,” says Sarah.
The Fosters contacted an epidemiologist before creating their site, who recommended removing age-based reports for privacy reasons.
The site, which was manually managed by the Fosters in the beginning, now essentially runs itself, actually automatically removing reported cases once the reported isolation period ends.
“The data is really only as accurate as what we get from people. So, there’s lots of trust that people are submitting correct data, but the data we have is the best that we have. There is really no other way for us to make an informed decision, so we really just have to roll with it,” says Keith.
Correction
A previous version of this story indicated schools in Owen Sound were included in the project, but they are not. We apologize for the error.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.