Some considerations for universities. Not all-inclusive.
1. REDUCE SOURCES.
Decrease # on campus. Test if possible. Avoid specific indoor activities, e.g., choir, wind instruments, heavy breathing (aerobic exercises, etc.). REQUIRE MASKS (tie to Code of Conduct) for ALL.
1. REDUCE SOURCES.
Decrease # on campus. Test if possible. Avoid specific indoor activities, e.g., choir, wind instruments, heavy breathing (aerobic exercises, etc.). REQUIRE MASKS (tie to Code of Conduct) for ALL.
2. DESIGN FOR PHYSICAL DISTANCE.
Reducing density (see 1) will help. A > 6 ft. rule w/ REQUIRED MASKS will significantly reduce infection. In many classrooms, this will mean < 35% of normal capacity. Declutter!
Reducing density (see 1) will help. A > 6 ft. rule w/ REQUIRED MASKS will significantly reduce infection. In many classrooms, this will mean < 35% of normal capacity. Declutter!
3. USE SMART TIMING.
Stagger activities, e.g., leave ample time between classes 4 less hallway interactions, & for particles to decay once a class exits room. With good ventilation/controls (see below), 30 min between class meetings = signif' reduction of particles.
Stagger activities, e.g., leave ample time between classes 4 less hallway interactions, & for particles to decay once a class exits room. With good ventilation/controls (see below), 30 min between class meetings = signif' reduction of particles.
4. REDUCE TIME OF ACTIVITIES.
If at all possible, reduce lengthy class meetings, labs, etc. Lesser time means less probability of infection. Supplement lost face-to-face time with remote sessions, or just move to remote classes in fall.
If at all possible, reduce lengthy class meetings, labs, etc. Lesser time means less probability of infection. Supplement lost face-to-face time with remote sessions, or just move to remote classes in fall.
5. ERECT SEE-THROUGH PHYSICAL BARRIERS.
For across counter or table activities, e.g., health center. Will help w/ ballistic droplets, also droplet nuclei in breathing zone as infector plume will spread out as it approaches the barrier as opposed to impinging directly on receptor.
For across counter or table activities, e.g., health center. Will help w/ ballistic droplets, also droplet nuclei in breathing zone as infector plume will spread out as it approaches the barrier as opposed to impinging directly on receptor.
6. DESIGN FOR OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES.
Teach outdoors as much as feasible, including large open-walled tents, while sticking to 1 and 2. Some activities which should NOT be done indoors (see 1) can be done much safer outdoors w/ proper physical distancing (more)
Teach outdoors as much as feasible, including large open-walled tents, while sticking to 1 and 2. Some activities which should NOT be done indoors (see 1) can be done much safer outdoors w/ proper physical distancing (more)
6 (cont). and, if at all possible, masks. If masks are not possible, distancing should be >> 6 ft. Make use of above-ground parking garages if traffic is down due to reduced density. In this case, employ large fans for high cross-flow.
7. VENTILATE.
“A nurse is to maintain the air within the room as fresh as the air without, without lowering the temperature.” — Florence Nightingale (1859). Increase outdoor air supply rates to the extent possible, understanding that this will be difficult during ... (more)
“A nurse is to maintain the air within the room as fresh as the air without, without lowering the temperature.” — Florence Nightingale (1859). Increase outdoor air supply rates to the extent possible, understanding that this will be difficult during ... (more)
7 (cont). ... extreme heating & cooling periods due to location, as well as system design & capacity. Simply opening windows in an office, etc., can actually be counter-productive if air is drawn in from other occupied parts of the building. Know building pressure distributions.
8. IMPROVE FILTRATION.
Most universities likely use filters that are far less effective at reducing droplet nuclei from 1 to 10 microns than, say, properly seated MERV13 filters. Aim for MERV13 or higher if your system can handle it. Also, follow @IAQinGWN.
Most universities likely use filters that are far less effective at reducing droplet nuclei from 1 to 10 microns than, say, properly seated MERV13 filters. Aim for MERV13 or higher if your system can handle it. Also, follow @IAQinGWN.
9. CONSIDER PORTABLE AIR CLEANERS (PACs).
Employ PACs with HEPA filtration. Avoid unproven or proven ineffective (snake oil) PACs. Purchase systems with CADR > 300 (scfm) for smoke if possible. Avoid gimmicky add-ons. See my previous tweet about PACs, sizes, and effectiveness.
Employ PACs with HEPA filtration. Avoid unproven or proven ineffective (snake oil) PACs. Purchase systems with CADR > 300 (scfm) for smoke if possible. Avoid gimmicky add-ons. See my previous tweet about PACs, sizes, and effectiveness.
10. CONSIDER UVGI.
Less practitioners know how to do this right than filtration. However, it can be highly effective for inactivating viruses if done right & w/ high exposure (irradiation and contact time) of airborne particles that convey viruses. Also follow @ShellyMBoulder.
Less practitioners know how to do this right than filtration. However, it can be highly effective for inactivating viruses if done right & w/ high exposure (irradiation and contact time) of airborne particles that convey viruses. Also follow @ShellyMBoulder.
11. EMPLOY HAND WASHING.
Make appropriate hand sanitizers available in ample quantities across campus & minimize time in restrooms for this activity. Make hand sanitizers and masks part of student welcome & return packages.
Make appropriate hand sanitizers available in ample quantities across campus & minimize time in restrooms for this activity. Make hand sanitizers and masks part of student welcome & return packages.
12. DECONTAMINATE SURFACES.
Janitorial services will not clean surfaces frequently enough. Cleaning materials (wipes, etc.) should be provided for decon of multi-user surfaces (before and after). A couple min should be provided at start/end of lecture for this new etiquette.
Janitorial services will not clean surfaces frequently enough. Cleaning materials (wipes, etc.) should be provided for decon of multi-user surfaces (before and after). A couple min should be provided at start/end of lecture for this new etiquette.
13. EDUCATE.
Every member of univ community should be educated on SARS-CoV-2 emissions, fate, reduction strategies, importance of staying home if not well or w/ possible contact of an infected individual, masks, etc. Include in syllabi, 1st lecture, signs, student paper, etc.
Every member of univ community should be educated on SARS-CoV-2 emissions, fate, reduction strategies, importance of staying home if not well or w/ possible contact of an infected individual, masks, etc. Include in syllabi, 1st lecture, signs, student paper, etc.
14. HAVE DETAILED PLANS FOR THE INEVITABLE
And make them known. There will be outbreaks across most or all university campuses this fall. Plans are needed if a student is found to be infected with COVID-19. This will likely mean quarantine for many. (more)
And make them known. There will be outbreaks across most or all university campuses this fall. Plans are needed if a student is found to be infected with COVID-19. This will likely mean quarantine for many. (more)
14 (cont). How will the university accommodate these students? If an instructor becomes ill, will they continue to teach remotely? Who will take over the course if the instructor’s symptoms become severe? And more and more.
I have not mentioned dorms above, but they are VERY important environments where on-campus students will spend most of their time. Every effort should be made to reduce density of dorms, ventilate, control, require masks in common areas, educate, etc.
My hope is that universities also work closely with the communities in which they are immersed to reduce impacts on residents, merchants, and others. And it is also important for commuter schools to work with local transit authorities to extent possible to reduce infections.
I am so VERY PROUD of @Portland_State University for taking the health and safety of our community so seriously. We started planning months ago & have/will employ almost all of the actions described above. GR8 team of many. Honored to have been part of the team. #GoVikes!
