Teller of Stories. Drinker of wine. Parent to two small boys & trying not to lose my brains. Travel by bike. Magazine writer on pause.
#cleanairclassrooms
Jun 28, 2024 • 8 tweets • 2 min read
Just want to quickly show this ⬇️
I was at our school recently & wanted to check up on this slim DIY filter in its classroom.
It had been removed.
Pictured are TWO air filters, both unplugged, jammed next to the sink in the art room.
🧵
Our primary school has done well at properly running filters in the rest of the school, but I had worries about this room.
Mar 7, 2024 • 16 tweets • 4 min read
Last term, our primary school was enthusiastically hosting the winter disco.
I had that familiar, heart-sinking: "how can I make this possible for my vulnerable family with the unrelenting risk of a certain airborne illness?"
Is there a way I can make it work? #CleanAir
With their glitter paint & sequined flares.. the parents, infants, juniors & nearly-teens, will all pack into the hall to bust a groove to Sister Sledge.
Achieving better air quality here is not exactly in the planning and preparation of the PTA disco team.
Dec 28, 2023 • 16 tweets • 4 min read
I'd been wanting to do this for ages but had to wait for a window of dry weather... Finally, at the end of the winter term, I stood outside my primary school at pick-up time.
I had two DIY air filters behind me, some information on a flyer and a determination to chat.
🧵
6yr old and a stray cat "helped" me set up in the playground before all the parents appeared.
On display was one freshly-built new air filter and a dirty one that has been running for 6 months last year in my older son's class.
Nov 7, 2023 • 12 tweets • 3 min read
Yesterday I had to go on a coach trip for 3 hours. Now I knew the air quality could be bad on here, but never did I imagine this bad.
I was sat in the front seat and the cO2 never dropped below 3000ppm. In fact it was often over 4000ppm.
I basically wanted to get off immediately, but too bad you're stuck.
It was a school trip and my son was back in the middle of the bus (he wanted to avoid the pukey kid who was sat behind me).
Oct 19, 2023 • 11 tweets • 2 min read
Here is a little story about infection control.
My friend, *Dr Bob, is an anesthetist working in a UK hospital.
Last week, he had a patient - *Ralph - an elderly man who had come in for a minor scheduled operation.
Ralph was sitting patiently waiting for his op ...but Dr Bob spotted him cough and sniff a few times.
Dr Bob said: "I think we'll just do a c0vid test" and left the room.
You see, Dr Bob has a clinically vulnerable family.
Sep 22, 2023 • 9 tweets • 2 min read
Oh my God. I have found the Holy Grail. I have discovered Another Parent at our school who gives a shit about Indoor Air Quality!
*distant sound of angels singing*
His name is Steve. All hail Steve.
I appreciate not everyone will be as excited about this as me. 🧵
It started because a child in 5yr old's class has openly tested C0vid+. This prompted me to finally communicate properly on the class WhatsApp group.
Had been putting it off due to nobody really understanding or caring about Air Filters. Boorrrring!
Jun 23, 2023 • 11 tweets • 2 min read
Here's a simple, short video by our team: Whole Family Productions.
How to Construct a DIY Air Filter!
#CorsiRosenthalBox
*Needs sound
Pollutants in the air can pose serious health risks to children; the air quality inside UK classrooms is unacceptably poor.
90% of teachers believe air quality has a negative impact on students’ or teachers' health, behaviour or ability to work.
Jan 29, 2023 • 7 tweets • 2 min read
Had a new sofa arrive yesterday. I explained (outside) to the two delivery men that my little boy is in cancer treatment, could you please wear masks inside.
They refused.
BOTH of them are exempt. Apparently.
Big burly men who lug furniture around for a living.. have breathing problems (so severe, I guess) that means they can't even wear a surgical mask for 5 minutes.
Told me I would have to reschedule the delivery.
Nov 11, 2022 • 11 tweets • 6 min read
The NHS💙
At the time, I had no idea it was Remembrance Day.
But three years ago today, our little boy was diagnosed with leukaemia. A few days before, he had blown out the candles on his 2nd birthday cake.
On our day that changed everything, I got an appointment within hours, to see the GP at 2pm.
She took one look at his pale face and immediately phoned the children's hospital.
Dec 6, 2021 • 10 tweets • 4 min read
My little boy (4yrs old) has leukaemia. His chemotherapy treatment lasts for 3 long years, so it’s standard that he attends school after the intense phase ends. But obviously he is vulnerable, because he is immune-suppressed.
A letter detailing his situation has gone out to all parents at our school, explaining that we need to be told about chickenpox, measles etc... and Covid-19. The problem is, the UK has a “let the virus rip” policy approach to children.