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Health Watch USA - School
Opening Resources
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Lectures Regarding Opening
Schools & Childrens' COVID-19 Risks.
2020, Nov. 18: COVID-19: Risks and Solutions For Safe School
Systems
 Rafael Moure-Eraso, PhD, Massachusetts Teachers
Association, from Environmental and Safety Committee discusses the
roadblocks teachers have encountered in their quest for safe
schools along with the importance of proper planning, PPE, social
distancing, and air quality. Health Watch USAsm
meeting.
https://youtu.be/tg5GxodZc3c
The Safe Return To Schools and Campuses -- Massachusetts
Teachers Association
Download Document
2020, Dec. 16: COVID-19 Spread: A Role For Air
Disinfection
 Edward Nardell, MD is a professor
at Harvard Medical School and discusses the safety and
efficacy of upper room Germicidal UV (GUV) fixtures and
compares them to natural, mechanical ventilation and
portable room air cleaners. A historical review is given
along with the positive impact GUV fixtures have had
dating back to cleaning air in schools during the 1942
measles epidemic. These fixtures can achieve the
CDC recommended 6 to
12 complete air exchanges for
infectious disease pandemics. Health Watch USAsm
meeting. Video: https://youtu.be/dAJCI0pcVKY
2020, Nov. 18:
COVID-19: COVID-19: COVID Facility Updates for
Public K-12 Schools
 Ken
Wertz, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Facilities
Administrators Association, discusses environmental
considerations to make facilities safer during the
COVID-19 pandemic. The processes of cleaning,
disinfecting and sanitizing were discussed. The
difference between a disinfectant and sanitizer was
illustrated with the shift to students eating in
classrooms. Before the change, a disinfectant was used
to clean classrooms, but after the initiation of this
strategy, a safer product, a sanitizer, needed to be
used. In addition, pandemic strategies involving heating
and air conditioning systems were explained along with
the difference between air quality and air flow reports.
The latter being of utmost importance in a pandemic.
Strategies of air filtration and sanitation using UV
Light and bipolar ionization of the air were also
discussed. Health Watch USAsm
meeting.
https://youtu.be/GvE9LqxzEKM
2020, Aug. 5: COVID-19:
Presentation Regarding Children and When To Open Schools.
 Dr. Kevin Kavanagh from Health Watch USAsm
discusses the various presentations of COVID-19 in
children, and the risk of childhood transmission to and
infections of adults. Current guidance on opening of
schools along with international experience on school
openings is also discussed. Aug. 5, 2020.
View Video:
https://youtu.be/bH2znWXMAdU
Articles Regarding Opening
Schools & Childrens' COVID-19 Risks.
2020, Oct. 29. Operating
schools during COVID-19: CDC's Considerations
"Obtain consultation from experienced Heating, Ventilation and Air
Conditioning (HVAC) professionals when considering changes to HVAC
systems and equipment. Some of the recommendations below are based
on the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and
Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Guidance for Building Operations
During the COVID-19 Pandemicexternal icon. Review additional ASHRAE
guidelines for schools and universities"
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/schools.html
2020, Oct. School Daze: COVID-19 Spreads Fear,
Confusion:
"Opening schools should depend upon low rates of viral spread
in the community, widespread testing, rigorous following of public
health guidelines, and upgrading the physical infrastructure of our
buildings. Our schools are anything but healthy buildings.
Concerns have existed for decades regarding both the air quality and
the crowded conditions our children are exposed to. COVID-19 should
be viewed as an opportunity for transformation, allowing us to build
a better school system with smaller class sizes for better education
and implement strategies to prevent the spread of all infectious
diseases" Infection Control Today Oct 2020. (Page 28)
References
Download Article
2020, Aug. 10:
Infection Preventionists Might be Needed in Schools
Similar to our healthcare system as a whole, COVID-19 is
shedding a light on deficiencies and the dearth of personal
safeguards in our schools. Let us not forget, schools are a nidus
for spreading the flu and other diseases. Opening schools should
depend upon low rates of viral spread in the community, widespread
testing, rigorous following of public health guidelines and
upgrading the physical infrastructure of our buildings. COVID-19
should be viewed as an opportunity for transformation, allowing us
to build a better school system with smaller class sizes for better
education and implement strategies to prevent the spread of all
infectious diseases. Infection Control Today. Aug. 10,
2020.
Radio Shows Regarding Opening
Schools & Childrens' COVID-19 Risks.
2020, Nov. 21: COVID-19:
Opening Schools
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh from Health Watch USAsm
discusses the closing of schools and what needs to be done for
reopening. Including better ventilation and sanitation of air, PPE,
pool testing of students and teachers. In addition, we need to
invoke the defense production act to produce needed PPE and testing
supplies. We need better and consistent messaging from our leaders
along with everyone following public health advice. Travel and the
upcoming holidays are especially problematic. Jeff Santos Show. Nov.
21, 2020. (22:00)
https://youtu.be/9vL0Q1nOkLQ
2020, July 30: COVID-19: Opening Schools.
Governor Michael Dukakis, Dr. Kevin Kavanagh, Melissa
Tomlinson, David Palelogous discuss the complexities of opening
schools. The need to lower community infection rates and
modification of a school's infrastructure are of utmost importance.
Concerns exist over the safety of teachers along with that of
parents as new research shows risks of infections from children.
Jeff Santos Show. (Two Segments a Total of 30
mins.)
https://soundcloud.com/ron-crider/73020-hr-3-gov-dukakis-dr-kavanaugh-melissa-tomlinson-david-palelogous
https://soundcloud.com/ron-crider/73020-hr-3-gov-dukakis-dr-kavanaugh-melissa-tomlinson-david-palelogous-1
2020, July 16: COVID-19: Spiking Cases and School
Openings
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh from Health Watch USAsm
discusses the spiking cases in the Southern United States and
the current discussion on whether or not to reopen classroom
teaching. Jeff Santos Show. (21:54)
https://youtu.be/eo8j1Rf2pCI
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