Thread by @ashishkjha

We know how to keep people safe in schools during COVID

For an airborne virus

Masking and ventilation/filtration substantially slow spread

As does regular testing

And vaccines protect from bad outcomes

So I've been puzzling over why this isn't happening everywhere

Thread

If key strategies include masking, ventilation, testing, vaccines

Masks became widely available late 2020

By early 2021, there was lots of $ from Feds for improving vent/filtration as well as testing

By fall 2021, every adult & school-aged kid was eligible for vaccines

2/n

So barriers are now primarily not money or availability (though testing is currently a challenge)

So what are the main barriers?

First, misinformation

Like schools are always safe (you have to make them safe)

Or masks don't work (they do, some more than others)

3/n

There's also misinformation about kids and vaccines

That kids don't get sick (they do) or that vaccines aren't safe (they are)

This has caused many districts to not prioritize mitigation efforts or vaccinating kids

But what else is holding schools back?

4/6

Have talked to many dozens of education leaders (unions, superintendents, etc.) across US

They often say they lack expertise. So have connected them to experts across US eager to help

Its true that some mitigation efforts are hard. But many others are cheap & easy

5/6

There's also the political pressure against mitigation (see misinformation above)

But here's the question for all of you

What do you think are the biggest barriers to school districts putting in basic mitigation?

What is holding them back?

Thanks for your thoughts!

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