As much as we all would like or feel the need to ‘return to normal’ it is becoming clear that we should be focusing on developing health and safety expectations for our families and educators. Over and over, CDC and scientists are stressing that we increase risk with diversity of exposure. Our schools are very diverse and we need to accept that and begin to develop real strategies that will help us in the long and short run. Technology commitment must be in earnest.

School buildings are a very real risk. Studies, including one sited in Erinbromage. Com and many epidemiology studies continue to show that time and airflow, especially in older buildings like the one I work in, with no windows, students packed in with 2 feet between them are going to be hotbeds for outbreaks. This week, depending on consumer behavior, we will likely see a rise in cases from the social experiment of restaurant, gym and business openings.

Bathrooms in our schools built in the 1960s with trailers outside are barely adequate and constantly in use by students who do not practice proper hygiene. We would need multiple additional bathrooms and attendants to assure safety and lids to reduce arrosolized droplets. It lingers for minutes even after leavings he room

One student who sneezes can send 200,000,000 virus particles across the room at 200 mph. That person can release 33 infectious  viral particles Per minute. At this point we don’t have : immediate reliable testing, sanitation practices and materials, proper ventilation in many teaching rooms, space, restroom facilities. 

I urge caution, reliance on science and facts Infection = exposure to virus x Time, and understanding thoroughly the social aspects of   Schools and how they are akin to the most dire of studies such as birthday parties in terms of spreading, sports in terms of close contact, choirs in terms of droplet deposits and nursing homes in terms of long term exposure and proximity. 

Please consider scientific facts before exposing our county’s education system to this deadly consequence.

Thank you.