1/5 The bottom line is that on school openings many districts are still operating as if it were Mar not Oct. In Mar most of us did not know how the virus was transmitted (too bad WHO did not tell us in Feb). Now we know & we know what do to do minimize airborne transmission
2/5 The goal is not to suppress every single case, but construct our indoor environments to minimize the potential for large spreading events. Schools can be safe low-risk spaces if they are following our (@linseymarr@j_g_allen@jljcolorado@CorsIAQ) recommended protocols.
3/5 That doesn’t mean that cases are not going to occur and be brought to school. What we don't want is spreading wishing school. We’re trying to support the idea that we need to live with this virus. There is not enough political leadership or will to do otherwise in the US.
4/5 There are risks – those of us with kids have grown concerned enough that sitting at home 24/7 poses a much greater risk than going to a safely constructed school environment. Here is how to open schools safely news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/…
5/5 Our letter to @BVSDcolorado on school reopening and how we must do better for our kids - get them in the classroom: with masks/ventilation/outdoor learning/distancing/open windows/air cleaners/handwashing...a layered approach drive.google.com/file/d/1GWOlD9…
Just have to give a shout out to @BVSDcolorado Horizons K8-they are doing mostly outdoor classes and indoors they have air cleaners in classrooms with CO2 monitors set to alert at 600 ppm. Oh and this is my kiddo’s school 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
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1/4 Just so you know: my entire motivation for talking about how COVID is transmitted is to keep people safe. If it was clearly transmitted via fomites, then I would be talking about washing your groceries. And that is what I would be doing (I am not)
2/4 If it was only transmitted by large spray droplets then I would focus on supporting efforts to get acrylic partitions and shields on everyone. (and I would have a shield but I don't, I do wear glasses/googles with my mask)
3/4 I am not happy that this thing is airborne, that you can inhale randomly floating viruses when you spend time indoors from some asymptomatic person w/o following suggested guidelines for reducing risk. I follow the science. (I don't share the air with others)
Dear colleagues,
I am hiring a postdoctoral researcher for a new 3-y NSF project. The short version of the position is below and the longer version is described at this google form. Applications are accepted via this form also. forms.gle/71B8hFHoiVw2DD…
"Postdoctoral Researcher position available in the Miller Research Group to lead a 3-y NSF funded project at the University of Colorado Boulder and work with a cross-disciplinary team of engineers, computer scientists, sociologists, community members and community organizations."
Project Title: Empowering Environmental Justice Communities with Smart and Connected Technology: Air and Noise Pollution, Social Relations and Wellbeing in Times of Disruption
Project PI: Shelly L. Miller, Professor Mechanical Engineering
1/4 Riley et al in 70s assessed measles outbreak in a NYC school, from a 2nd-grader and spread to 60 pupils. Data on ventilation rates, time spent in classrooms, and air samples were collected. They modeled using Wells-Riley equation the probability a student would get infected.
3/4 Note at the ASHRAE recommended 6.7 L/s/p for a middle school classroom (at full occupancy of 35 students), translates into 3.5 ACH. Shows increasing to 6 ACH can decrease risk to below 5% but cutting occupancy and wearing masks is really key to reducing risk.
1/4 UV air disinfection is a good technology & useful for creating safer indoor environments during this pandemic. I fully support its use. (e.g.I recommended that a local correctional facility, a good application, look into its use as a means to control spread of COVID.)
2/4 I have given webinars and speak often about how upper room UV and in-duct UV are great technologies for many applications where there is crowding, unsuspected infection present etc. shellym80304.files.wordpress.com/2020/05/isiaq-…
3/4 UV systems need to be designed by professionals and maintained just like HVAC systems. I don’t usually recommend air cleaners w/UV as the UV disinfects the filter media, which you really don’t need to do–and it can add cost, but it is not harmful and its fine for air quality.
1/2 Administrators, faculty, staff etc have done our part to get @CUBoulder ready for opening Aug 24. We have worked hard to reduce the risk of transmission and make our campus safer for our community.
2/2 the residents of Colorado have done their part to social distance and wear masks. The @GovofCO has done his part to require masks and we here in Boulder are committed to wearing them. Our case numbers are falling.
Student it is time to do your part. This is not the year for big fraternity/sorority/house parties. if you hang out indoors (or outdoors for that matter) in close proximity for hours talking loudly w/o masks the risk of getting COVID is high. It’s not a fun disease.
1/Here is my take. I was panicked back in March when COVID hit because I did not understand the transmission route and how to reduce my risk of getting this disease. Now I do understand.
2/I am sending my kids back to hybrid school 2 days a week because I live in Colorado and we have a sane Governor who declared a state-wide mask mandate. If you are visiting my state you better be here with a mask and you better wear it - or go home. @GovofCO
3/However - I also fully expect despite all my precautions that I will get COVID. And a major reason is because our federal government and specifically the leader of our country has beyond messed this up. It is horrifying and embarrasing.