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#Thread on reopening physical school buildings.
How to open schools? It's a team effort in a time where we have divided ourselves as a nation and as communities.
Decisions will need to be based on data.
(JoCo % positives). 1/
How to open schools? It's a team effort in a time where we have divided ourselves as a nation and as communities.
Decisions will need to be based on data.
(JoCo % positives). 1/
Once we agree on what what % positives are a safe level to open physical classrooms, transmission rate N < 1, other metrics, we can look at what safe classrooms look like. 2/
Did some back of the envelope calcs, and one 20x30ft elementary classroom can only fit 15 students & one teacher, with 6ft spacing, if nobody moves.
Elementary class sizes in Shawnee Mission School District routinely exceed 25 and approach 30 students. 3/
Elementary class sizes in Shawnee Mission School District routinely exceed 25 and approach 30 students. 3/
That means we'll need almost 2x the amount of elementary teachers and classrooms. 4/
Also, we'll need to ensure students & teachers are #COVID19-free before entering the classroom.
In the absence of universal testing & comprehensive contact tracing or boxing in outbreaks, people will need to essentially quarantine for 2wks before entering the school bldg. 5/
In the absence of universal testing & comprehensive contact tracing or boxing in outbreaks, people will need to essentially quarantine for 2wks before entering the school bldg. 5/
Comprehensive mask wearing will add an additional layer of safety, but are not a substitute for packed classrooms with poor ventilation.
But not all parents are wearing masks in public, so their kids won't be doing so in the classroom. 6/
But not all parents are wearing masks in public, so their kids won't be doing so in the classroom. 6/
Whatever configurations of school are proposed for the 2020-21 school year, students, educators, admin & staff safety should be paramount. 7/
School districts will need to listen to concerns of all stakeholders in decision-making, but health & safety cannot be compromised. 8/
People will need to come to grips that there is no ideal solution during a global pandemic that is out of control. 9/
This out-of-touch #hottake isn't helpful.
