Thread by @MarcelHarmon1

Despite all of the science/evidenced based recommendations for how to reopen schools/universities, despite the cautionary tales from other nations, in many places we're already doing it wrong - we're starting school before we're ready. 1/

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washingtonpost.com/politics/virus…

Some districts appear to be doing at least some things right. But they're also doing things wrong. In many areas, infection rates aren't low enough. Adequate testing & contact tracing isn't in place yet. Mask wearing isn't consistent. 2/

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nytimes.com/2020/08/06/us/…

Physical distancing isn't consistently being adhered to. I guarantee ventilation & filtration in many buildings isn't adequate. Nor do I see reporting about districts conducting as many activities outside as possible.

Just as there should have been a national... 3/

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coordinated effort to get schools/universities ready, there should now be a national, coordinated effort to assess what is & isn't working, & make adjustments quickly. But there won't be.

So, just as scientists, consultants, district/university staff, & others have... 4/

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stepped up to do the research, educate, develop tools & best practices, help schools, universities, & other building owners implement them, & speak out, it will continue to fall on them to help schools/universities do these assessments, continue educating & continue... 5/

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advocating. But there are limits to the effectiveness of this without a national, coordinated effort.

People are going to die as a result of pushing ahead before we're ready. People will live w/ debilitating health conditions for the rest of their lives. People will... 6/

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live w/ the emotional trauma of feeling responsible for spreading the disease, rightly or wrongly depending on the circumstance. And the school year will still end up limping along, unable to fully recover from the poor start.

As a result, the economy's... 7/

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recovery will be further delayed, & the future quality of life for many current students will still be negatively impacted by a year+ of inadequate education. We will have failed on all fronts.

We have got to do better. It boggles the mind that we aren't. 8/

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