Thread by @CllrOliver

As expected - now my campaign for clean air in #Somerset schools blows up (ha), I am coming under fire in all directions. Important, I think, to clarify a few things. A 🧵…
gofund.me/3691a0c0
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1️⃣ It’s not “my idea” and I didn’t just make it up. I’m quite literally standing on the shoulders of giants. Namely doctors and scientists in the 🇺🇸 like @JimRosenthal4 and @CorsIAQ; as well as @rhysthomas, @PeteUK7 and others in the 🇬🇧
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🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 In Wales, 40 of these DIY filters are already in schools
👉👉ceredigion.gov.uk/resident/news/…

2️⃣ HEPA filters in schools is NOT County Council policy. I am a County Councillor in #Somerset, but at this stage I’m simply raising awareness as we head into a winter with barely any Covid mitigations in schools. (I am of course working to make it policy)
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3️⃣ I am not forcing (and neither do I have the power to force!) schools to get air filters. I am (1) raising awareness and (2) helping schools in my electoral division (#Coker) get air filters ***if they want them*** ⚠️
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4️⃣ “You’re causing panic and trying to close schools”(!) I want schools to STAY OPEN, as safely as possible, by deploying affordable and effective air filters. I quite literally am campaigning to keep schools open and keep children in school (sorry kids)
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5️⃣ “There’s no evidence they work”… There is plenty of evidence that @3M MERV 13 HEPA filters trap virus particles. They work. It’s a fact. Researchers from @ucdavis have conducted analysis of efficacy
bit.ly/3wPGkpI.

There’s more: sciencedirect.com/science/articl…
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6️⃣ “You’re wasting Council money”. First, see 2️⃣. I haven’t spent a penny of Council money. Second, it costs a school £200 PER DAY to pay for one supply teacher. It costs between £170-190 for one DIY air filter. The cost SAVING is apparent to me.
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In summary: it’s not “my” idea (I’m following the lead of scientists & engineers), it’s not Somerset County Council policy (yet), I’m only helping schools that want them get them, I’m trying to keep schools open & safe, there is evidence they work, I’m eyeing up cost savings
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@bbcsomerset @DanielMumby @WCountryVoices @AkayJourno @itvwestcountry @Ruthsays

@threadreaderapp please unroll