Are small and medium shields also being removed as skills this event?
No. There are no plans to remove the Shield skills now or in the future.
geezer wrote: Regarding proficiencies:
As 1HE has been removed as a skill, how are proficiencies being effected in the instance of one still using a 1HE possessing 1HE profs?
From above: "Weapon skills are no longer a prerequisite for learning Proficiencies." You can learn Proficiencies if you have them on a list you possess.