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Legault and the province’s director of public health, Dr. Horacio Arruda, had been pushing the idea of so-called “herd immunity” or natural immunity, as a rationale for reopening schools. That strategy involves exposing children to the novel coronavirus in a measured, gradual way to help them develop a natural immunity.

If the situation gets worse, or isn’t as expected, then we will adjust

That plan was criticized on the weekend by Canada’s chief public health officer, Theresa Tam, who said despite evidence that the virus is particularly dangerous to older people and those with underlying health conditions, younger people are still at risk.

On Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said there is no conclusive evidence that people who have recovered from the virus have antibodies that protect them from getting infected again.

But Legault said Monday his decision to reopen schools was not based on a strategy of developing natural immunity.

He said his reasons are that special needs children need to be followed closely by the teachers; the risk to young people from COVID-19 is limited; COVID-19 admissions in hospitals are under control; and public health has agreed the schools should open.

The final reason is that “life needs to continue,” Legault said.

“It’s good for kids to see their friends, their teachers,” he told reporters in Quebec City. “We don’t expect a vaccine before 12 to 18 months. So we can’t keep kids at home for 12 to 18 months.”

Legault said he’d like classrooms to have a maximum of 15 students and is asking parents who have chronic health conditions to keep their kids at home. If a student has an underlying health condition that could make them more vulnerable to complications from COVID-19, then they should also be kept at home, Legault said.