Thread by @ashishkjha

Given the immense value of in person schooling for America's kids,

Lets talk about how every school can be in person safely today

Not under ideal conditions

But under real-world conditions

First, let's start with "ideal", which LOTS of school districts have done

Thread

What is ideal?

1. Teachers vaxxed/boosted
2. Kids vaxxed
3. Everyone masked w/good masks
4. Ventilation
5. Testing

Billions of $ available for ventilation and testing
Vaccines free, widely available

I get it, some places chose not to do it

But $ is not the barrier

2/n

So lots of school districts chose not to do these things

What if a school doesn't have testing and systemic upgrades in ventilation?

Can schools still be safe?

Absolutely!

If folks vaxxed/boosted
And we have masking (compliance doesn't have to be 100%)

Still very safe

What if no ventilation upgrades
No testing
And kids not vaxxed or masking reliably

Reality in some places

Would I recommend my mom (a former NYC teacher) still go to work?

Yes

Put in portable air cleaners (cheap) in class
Make sure she was boosted
Wear high quality mask

4/5

What would I do as a parent in that situation?

Make sure my kid vaccinated
Get kid a good mask
And ask teacher to put in portable air cleaner

And advocate for systemic fixes like ventilation, testing, better masks for all

But pretty safe

5/

Systemic fixes are always better

But at this point in pandemic, even without systemic fixes,

Individuals can protect themselves

If you are vaccinated (kid) or boosted (adult)

And wear good mask (widely available)

No matter what others are doing

You are very protected

6/7

I get the frustration that some districts haven't done more

As a kid of a mom who taught in PS142 for 20+ years, I get the conditions

But we now have the tools to keep everyone who wants to stay safe be safe

And given the value of school

That's enough to get kids back

End