Thread by @jholston

Really helpful analysis here on reality of vaccine distribution in one state, Colorado: coloradosun.com/2021/01/08/col… via @ColoradoSun @johningold @EricaBreunlin Implications clarified, and there is some good news... 1/n

Implications: "teachers...(will get) vaccine after first responders and individuals age 70 +. (they should) get the vaccine starting in early March... (at) two doses three weeks apart, (this) won’t have much impact on the rest of the 2020-21 school year." However, ... 2/n

1. All States are now making older folks top priorities. Most at risk of severe consequence, and consensus now is that new, more transmissible variants mean we have to vaccinate these at-risk populations fast

https://twitter.com/Yadav_supplychn/status/1347476108288143362?s=20

. Race against the variants. Also, ... 3/n

2. School re-openings don't need to depend on vaccines. This just out from Duke; pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/… . Also, pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/pediat…. And, inequities accelerate if they do; nytimes.com/2020/12/29/us/…. Private schools aren't waiting. So, how? 4/n

Incoming Admin is working closely with the Rockefeller Foundation rockefellerfoundation.org/wp-content/upl… and others schools.forhealth.org on safe, fast reopening plans for schools that do not depend on vaccination politico.com/news/2020/12/2…. Universities, like @uofdenver, have had success. 5/n

One critical component of these plans is #FFAST; fast, frequent, asymptomatic testing. linkedin.com/pulse/operatio… For this, Colorado, Rhode Island, and other states' moves to use the Abbott BinaxNOW $5/15 minute antigen test for school surveillance is a good move. Why? 6/n

Because public schools need an easy-to-manage, fast turn-around, highly scaled, cheap solution. And, research shows clearly that these test-types are terrific for the relevant Ct ranges emilyoster.substack.com/p/antigen-test… So.... 7/n

Good to prioritize age-bands now in race against variants. Teachers /other essential workers will have to wait a bit. Schools can still safely re-open this school year. And, most critically, we need to make it a national priority to insure they have everything to do so. 8/8

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