Thread by @jeffgilchrist

COVID-19: Preparing schools to be safer

We are halfway through the summer break and there hasn't been much action to make schools safer in September. 🧵1/

@OttCatholicSB @OCDSB @ecolecatholique @MonCepeo @OPCouncil @ETFOeducators @osstf @OFLabour

#FASSST #LongCovidKids #onted

It would be great if our children could have less disruption at school this year since we know what needs to be done, it just needs to get done. 2/

Now that we are on the 7th wave, it should be obvious to policy makers that vaccines alone are not enough so we need to implement additional measures that are known to reduce the risk of infection. 3/

The best part is these measures not only protect from COVID-19 but also other respiratory viruses and contaminants. Providing cleaner air should help children better pay attention and improve their cognitive function at the same time. 4/

Several people have put forward requests and plans to improve schools. We need to actually listen and take action this time. 5/

Dr. Jane E. McArthur (@JANEMCARTHUR11) calls on heath units and school boards to take action and implement a complete toolbox of interventions ( windsorstar.com/opinion/letter… ). 6/

These include:
- mask mandates
- cleaning the air within the building using ventilation and filtration
- CO2 monitoring to verify systems are working properly and ensure air quality meets standards
- policies for opening windows and eating outside

7/

It is important to protect children, educators and staff and the people they live with from being infected, reinfected, and potentially suffering from #LongCovid. 8/

Dr. Steve Flindall wrote a letter to the Ontario government offering advice on measures to make schools safer when they return in September (

https://twitter.com/flindall_steve/status/1549903203621289984

). 9/

He suggests:
- mandatory isolation with paid sick leave support (including up to 10 days for 1 parent in every household)
- proper ventilation of each classroom which means proper air exchange and HEPA filtration

10/

- mandatory masks for indoor functions made freely available to students and staff
- mandatory isolation with return to school only after 2 negative rapid tests 24 hours apart

11/

- reinstitute PCR testing upon request for everyone
- reintroduce reporting and tracking of cases in schools

12/

Dr. Binita Kane highlights that school unions in the USA have written to the Secretary of State outlining an urgent need for a summer action plan to prevent school disruptions (

https://twitter.com/BinitaKane/status/1550849753352740869

). 13/

- provide additional funding to schools to improve ventilation and support spiraling energy costs
- provide HEPA air filtration devices to all schools for September
- re-establish funding for schools to cover supply costs for teaching and support staff absences

14/

- make rapid tests available free to staff and pupils in education settings
- issue clear public health guidance
- run a public health messaging campaign on vaccination
- publish updated guidance for schools on face coverings
- reinstate the need for COVID risk assessments

15/

We have learned a lot about how to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 and thus make schools safer. Now we just need to actually do it. 16/

Investment in safer air and better ventilation improves the performance of teachers and students, reduces absenteeism, and improves health, and on top of that it helps with reducing COVID-19 transmission. 17/

Businesses should also take note, poorly ventilated buildings cause more economic damage than the cost of fixing them. 18/

Even before the pandemic, every $1 spent per person on ventilation lead to $160 payback so when you add in disruptions from COVID-19 you get back even more (

https://twitter.com/joeyfox85/status/1546155214616645634

). 19/