Every time someone says we are in a “different place” in the pandemic and “have the tools” to operate schools safely and without disruption… ask them how many local schools have classrooms with 6+ air exchanges per hour; had their HVAC systems upgraded?

Every time someone says we are in a “different place” in the pandemic and “have the tools” to operate schools safely and without disruption… ask them how many local schools have classrooms with 6+ air exchanges per hour; had their HVAC systems upgraded?

This report highlights the time that has been squandered by far too many regions despite funding available. Through a widespread failing, these disparities hit poor and predominantly minority schools hardest.

Ventilation Improvement Strategies Among K–12 ...This report describes survey results of ventilation strategies reported by U.S. K–12 public schools to help prevent COVID-19 spread.https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7123e2.htm

These improvements truly could make schools a safer and healthier environment for the long term, yet the confluence of minimizing the impact of COVID on kids, habitual lack of support of 💰, & the demonization of teachers who called for safer working conditions has led us here. 

CDC’s new guidance on the acquiescence to a new “normal” calls for the use of prevention methods that we know are not being used sufficiently in most places, and resists those that could help stem the tide in their stead.

This is isn’t public health. 

H/T to @betsyladyzhets for her piece in Time highlighting this issue.

Your Kid's School Needs Better Ventilation to Curb COVID-19Many schools have not invested in upgrading their air quality. Here's what you should know.https://time.com/6206343/schools-ventilation-covid-19-air-quality/

Please also look to experts such as @jonlevyBU who approach this issue mindful of the inequity that exists in environmental health for schools.

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