Resources
Transmission reduction strategies
Background
Experts agree that perfection does not have to be the enemy of the good when devising easy and effective ventilation and filtration strategies that are at the center of classroom mitigation strategies. If distancing is not a possibility, making sure that each classroom is adequately ventilated becomes of greater importance. The range of strategies can begin with the simplest maneuver: making sure that windows are open wherever possible. Next, classrooms should include manual plug-in air filters that are inexpensive and can be placed in all classrooms. For most districts, federal dollars are available for ventilation improvements, including the addition of MERV 13 filters. Ideally, each classroom should be able to provide 4 to 6 air exchanges per hour. Building safety is and should be a prime example of a new paradigm wherein teachers and staff, parents, and district leaders seek to develop and refine safe building practices and have equal access to the amount of funding provided for these activities.
Resources
To keep schools open during COVID, Governor Baker must make them safer – The Boston Globe.pdf
Harvard-Healthy-Buildings-Program-Schools-For-Health-Reopening-Covid19-June2020.pdf
Why Ventilation Is a Key to Reopening Schools Safely – The New York Times.pdf
Layers of Protection Against COVID-19 | The “Swiss Cheese” model
Opinion | Rapid Tests for Covid-19 Make Pandemic Life Easier – The New York Times.pdf
Opinion | Universal Masking Can Protect Students From Covid – The New York Times.pdf