Thread by @CorsIAQ

1. Over the past several days (including weekend) I have been contacted by about eight faculty members & administrators at universities and teachers in K-12 schools, all concerned about return of classes in the fall term. I am also deeply concerned about ....... (more)

2. .... the lack of time and resources to get this done right by the fall. There is also a significant social equity issue here. "Able" school districts that have resources can do this right to a much greater extent than economically-challenged school districts. (more)

3. IMHO, these concerns are warranted based on what I am hearing from those who contact me and based on my own experience working with many public schools and school districts over the past 25 yrs (more)

4. I have heard about concerns related to energy costs due to increased ventilation and control systems, cost of controls themselves, and even lawsuits. These are real issues for poorly-resourced school districts. (more)

5. Think about the costs (& suffering) of having a COVID-19 outbreak among staff/teachers, & children infecting their family members - much more devastating in economically-disadvantaged communities. (more)

6. In many ways the solutions for K-12 schools are more limited than for most universities, e.g., reducing density. But I suggest that if K-12 schools do not take all possible precautions the ripple effects of outbreaks in school districts around the country will ...... (more)

7. ... extend to universities, major corporations, small business, & local & State governments. We should realize that we are all in this together. Many school districts need help to do this right. Whether that is expertise or financial assistance, we all need to help .. (more)

8. Remember. Reduce density indoors where possible, e.g., shorter and more lunch periods extended over a longer lunchtime schedule, more outdoor activities, including teaching, if possible (as examples) .. (more)

9. Physical distancing as much as possible. I have seen what I consider to be extraordinary cluttering in K-12 classrooms. DECLUTTER to be able to spread desks out. See outside above. etc. (as examples). This can also help with cleaning protocols! (more)

10. M*A*S*K*S! I know difficult with children, but it is very important. Try to make it fun & educational. Give rewards for best mask and for those who leave their masks on the longest, etc. Teachers & staff, to extent possible, should serve as mask role models! ... (more)

11. Increase outdoor air supply rates where possible and into the fall as long as possible. This is obviously easier in some places, e.g., San Diego, than others, e.g., Houston. (more)

12. Supplement improved ventilation w/ improved/proper filtration. See @IAQinGWN tweet threads for helpful insights. (more)

13. Analyses also suggest that portable HEPA filters w/ CADR > 250 scfm (for ETS) in typical K-12 classrooms can effectively remove fine particles that may contain viruses. Trade-off = some noise. But IMHO this is a time to start making some trade-offs! (more)

14. Really difficult to do with school children, I know, but remember that quiet time is lower particle emission time. Avoid children screaming, yelling, etc. (more)

15. And teachers who might be infected but asymptomatic themselves should remember the same and practice proper distancing from peers and students while teaching. (more)

16. Limit access to more confined rooms (e.g., bathrooms, etc.) to 1 person at a time. Further, sequence departures from different classrooms to limit hallway density, and even sequence class departures from the same classroom to 4 to 6 students a time. (more)

17. More to say, but off to my next dean ZOOM meeting.
Upshot, K-12 schools & universities need a laser focus on how to properly return to classroom in fall. Failure to focus, plan, develop and implement now is a recipe for disaster. K-12 districts, in particular, need help.