Thread by @AsraNomani

🧵We want @fcpsnews schools closed. But @FCPSSupt just sent email he won't close schools til "contact investigations show any connection to the school system." So...AFTER the virus spreads, defying evidence-based guidance of scientists! #CloseFCPS
#unacceptable here's why...

1. Evidence-based research says closing schools is critical to "flattening the curve" in virus spread. @GretaThunberg, please support @fcpsnews students. It's their lives on the line. They plan a walkout h/t @FCPSOutlook. Thank you, students, for your leadership. #closeFCPS

2. Former @fcpsnews board member @RyanLMcElveen again proves he is the true student advocate in @fairfaxcounty. He says the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is "ignoring science and insulting our intelligence." #CloseFCPS

3. @fcpsnews @FCPSSupt told us @fairfaxcounty @fairfaxhealth is not closing schools til they have “contact investigations showing any connection to the school system.” Sticks to position at press conference.
thanks @laurensorsi for video #closefcps

4. This despite OVERWHELMING evidence of researchers like Yale sociologist & physician @NAChristakis who says, “Proactive school closures-closing schools before there’s a case there-have been shown to be one of the most powerful nonpharmaceutical interventions that we can deploy"

5. We cannot let our children, teachers, staff, principals, custodians be sitting ducks for the virus. The data shows that if it's not in our community, it will be. Thank you for sharing @BruceHaynes. #closeFCPS

"If you wait for the case to occur [in your school], you still have wound up closing the school, but now you've missed the opportunity to have the real benefit that would have accrued had you closed the school earlier," @nchristakis told @NPR. #closefcps npr.org/2020/03/11/814…

⬆️6) 7) "The influenza pandemic and Europe: the social impact and public health response" by John Paget, Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, Utrecht, The Netherlands, says school closings is a critical component of "containment." #closeFCPS
repository.ubn.ru.nl/bitstream/hand…

8) The people did it. @fcpsnews @FCPSSupt cancels school on Friday, 3/13 with more decision on Tuesday.

"During the past several hours we continue to hear genuine concerns from parents about keeping our schools open while the coronavirus response escalates around the country."

9) @FCPSSupt uses other schools as cover. "Schools are closing in Maryland and several other states and a state of emergency was declared in Virginia."

10 But @FCPSSupt this is not about "anxiety." Closing is SMART for safety. "As a result & in an abundance of caution, I believe it is prudent for FCPS to cancel school tomorrow to help ease parent, staff & student anxiety...all FCPS schools will be closed Friday, March 13, 2020."