Thread by @PeteUK7

We demand clear air in school, hospitals and other public spaces.
But what exactly could be done?
First of all, the foundation of any change like this has to come from Gov. It starts with being truthful about the risk of infection and why it's essential to try to control it.
1/

We must move away from the idea that it should be down to teachers to take care of indoor air quality in classrooms. This notion is unworkable & about as daft as saying a nurse should be responsible for the air quality inside a hospital.
Let me lay out what I think is needed.
2/

We need to have good indoor air quality ventilation standards. What we have currently don't go far enough for disease control and are not enforced; they're just guidance.
But the users of these buildings need expert help.
I'd create a task force in every Council.
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The first undertaking would be a proper assessment of each space and all details recorded and added to a database.
The assessors would also detail what could be implemented quickly to make immediate improvements to IAQ and cost them up.
4/

They'd also assess what would be needed to get each space to the new standards for the control of infectious aerosols. Cost it up.
Each building would have someone identified as the person responsible; i.e. not the workers within each space but someone whose duty it becomes.
5/

Before you can move to enforcement, you must ensure people are given the help, expertise and funds to adopt the changes needed. Work at those immediate improvements and demonstrate step-wise improvement towards the standard.
Set a date by which the standard becomes enforced.
6/

As with food standards and hygiene ratings, there should be an team of people who inspect these indoor spaces on a regular basis to ensure it is being managed well and systems properly maintained.
These details should be publicly available as hygiene ratings are.
7/

If people were properly educated as to the risks, the way in which infection is being transmitted and the need for great IAQ then they would demand it in the same way as they do for good food standards and hygiene.
I am not saying any of this is quick or easy or inexpensive.
8/

I am simply laying out a pathway for what I think would be needed to truly make a difference and that Governments need to hold their hands up and take responsibility for this.
Otherwise we are left with the current adhoc arrangements with no clear plan. Luck of the draw.
9/

Parents are having to demand changes in schools but the fundamentals are wrong, so it isn't working. The standards are poor, the knowledge is lacking & the facilities to create the changes needed are non-existent and change is unfunded.
The onus should be on LA, not teachers.
10/

A good starting point for a new standard would be ASHRAE standard 241. The Americans are ahead of us on this but we can benefit from the work done.
We know the mitigations that will help but someone needs to identify the right mitigation for each space after assessment work.
11/

In some spaces, you may get an immediate benefit by adding extraction fans for example, to force at least some ventilation. I'd add air filters as standard to all classrooms. In other spaces it could be that upper room UVC is the best option.
Nobody is making assessments.
12/

I've just jotted all of this out quickly and this is just a simple framework and it would require proper development - but I am effectively just trying to demonstrate that this is possible but that it requires focus, attention, time, funding and honesty.
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