Thread by @jessica_bassett

There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to keep my child safe, including, apparently, writing an op-ed advocating for state policy change. 1/
nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-ope…

Earlier this summer, I read @apoorva_nyc’s story about hundreds of scientists calling on the WHO to update its thinking on airborne transmission of #COVID19. Then I read @zeynep‘s great piece about ventilation. 2/

theatlantic.com/health/archive…

Yesterday’s story from @apoorva_nyc on what experts like Dr. @linseymarr call the “smoking gun” on aerosol transmission of #COVID19 is a clarion call to wear masks inside, no matter what distance we are able to keep. 3/

nytimes.com/2020/08/11/hea…

Our schools are working SO HARD to keep our kids, teachers, and staff safe. They’re amazing. Planning to reopen during COVID-19 has to be complex in ways I’m completely unaware of. And the conversations around masks are still hard. 4/

I don’t blame people for having “updated guidance” fatigue from having to keep up with rapid learning about a brand new virus while also wading through disinformation and pseudoscience from bad actors these last months. 5/

Are we wearing masks or not? Are we bleaching our groceries still? Can we go to the beach? Can we hug? It’s confusing, and we’re still trying to work and parent and find joy. 6/

Parents shouldn’t have to figure this one out on our own, and given how charged mask-wearing has become, school district leaders shouldn’t have to, either. 7/

It’s right to look to the experts–and in NY, we have great ones. Governor Cuomo being at the helm during this pandemic has given my family so much peace of mind. I’m thankful to live where I do. I’m proud of the example NY is setting. I’m trying to get my sister to move back…8/

The Governor also reminds us that we have to stay vigilant. And @HealthNYGov changing this policy is one way we could do both things: lead by example and stay vigilant. 9/

Look, I live with a 5-year-old. I know it won’t be easy to routinize masks for young kids. And teachers’ plates are already so full…But, this is a moment we can teach our kids some big, lasting lessons. We can do hard things. We take care of each other. Science still matters.10/

Do we need more research? Yes! There are so many things we still need to know. And beyond masks, we probably need to be upgrading school HVAC systems, opening windows, & determining how to integrate HEPA filters & among other risk reduction strategies I’m not even aware of. 11/

@linseymarr @J_g_allen @kprather88 @jljcolorado @shellymboulder & others are the air quality experts and I’m hopeful we’ll keep learning from them and shaping policy that keeps reducing risk in our communities, especially with winter just around the corner. 12/

But masks we can do right now, at almost no cost. Layering risk reduction strategies is smart. COVID-19 is throwing the kitchen sink at us. Let's tackle it with every tool we've got. Let's show the country that it can be done, just like we've been doing. We've got this. /fin