I'm glad to hear that at least some schools are in person (our op-ed coming @vkoganpolisci)

But this rule is like the 'ask kids to wear masks when playing outside in the Seattle rain' rule

The delta on viral spread vs. the fatigue, demoralization such a rule creates is net neg. https://twitter.com/bkhumberd/status/1348992165570031617

A wise man taught me that 'Fundamentalism in all its forms is bad'

This is a form of fundamentalism;
the worship of theory over reality

Of course, you can find some aerosolization study that might suggest this has a whiff of plausibility

Plausibility is cheap

Plausibility means very little in the messy world of real people and real issues

It means nearly nothing with kids in a classroom

Making this rule is guaranteed for further demoralize the kids, and

I guarantee if you did a cluster RCT of this rule, the power calc alone would make you soil your pants

If you want people to follow good policies:
older adults get vaccinated asap
don't have indoor parties
etc. etc.

You gotta not be a fundamentalist on crazy policies

If you want people to wear masks on a city bus
(sound idea)

you gotta not yell at people for not wearing a mask while running on a empty trail in a park
(no credible data it would help)

If you want older people to get vaccinated ASAP
(very good idea)

You gotta not start crazy rumors that before schools can reopen we should get all kids vaccinated

(uhh, no trial data, risk to kids from covid is low, the bar would have to be v. high, etc. etc.)

If you want schools to improve ventillation
(open windows is a great idea)

You gotta not ask for lids to be installed on toilets before school can resume

(batshit crazy idea)

If you want people to take covid seriously
(good idea)

It would help not to keep yelling at them, and accusing them of murder, or celebrating when you hear of someone getting covid who didn't wear a mask on twitter

(sick behavior)