Read on Twitter
Some really important publications about school re-opening during a pandemic over the first few days.
A thread, and some musings.
PLEASE READ MY WHOLE THREAD BEFORE THROWING STONES.
A thread, and some musings.
PLEASE READ MY WHOLE THREAD BEFORE THROWING STONES.
Let me start by saying the obvious: the goal is to protect our kids (physically & emotionally) and our school staff. The goal is also to protect our community from infection.
This hasn't changed. https://twitter.com/meganranney/status/1279776011362631680?s=20
This hasn't changed. https://twitter.com/meganranney/status/1279776011362631680?s=20
I also acknowledge that much of the school reopening debate has ignored the lived experience of BIPOC who are both at higher risk for #COVID19, and higher risk of being in underfunded/unsafe schools. #Racism is at work in many of these debates. https://www.scarymommy.com/movement-reopen-schools-racist/
... we must listen to, and heed, these very very real concerns.
And: this week, there are 3 pubs that could/should influence the terms of our debate.
1) Most importantly: In schools that are able to follow recommended #publichealth measures (masks, stable groups, quarantining after exposures), in-school spread is virtually non-existent. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7004e3.htm?s_cid=mm7004e3_e&ACSTrackingID=USCDC_921-DM47411&ACSTrackingLabel=MMWR%20Early%20Release%20-%20Vol.%2070%2C%20January%2026%2C%202021&deliveryName=USCDC_921-DM47411
"Despite widespread community transmission, #COVID19 incidence in schools conducting in-person instruction was 37% lower than that in the surrounding community"
**nb: I recognize that for my school districts, esp those that serve lower-income students or in states without mask requirements, it is impossible to follow these guidelines
But it shows that safe school reopening is POSSIBLE, with investment.
But it shows that safe school reopening is POSSIBLE, with investment.
2) A new pre-print using agent based modeling from @ambilinski and colleagues, reiterates value of basic mitigation measures (e.g., isolation of those with symptoms).
It also predicts levels of community spread that are dangerous for HS/MS/elem school. https://twitter.com/ambilinski/status/1353751984852131841?s=20
It also predicts levels of community spread that are dangerous for HS/MS/elem school. https://twitter.com/ambilinski/status/1353751984852131841?s=20
BUT: if you add on weekly asymptomatic screening, you make school (even high school!) safe for teachers and kids, EVEN at high levels of community transmission.
It also, importantly, demonstrates the impact of TEACHER VACCINATION on making schools safe for re-opening.
This matters because:
a) teachers should be vaccinated, and
b) school reopening does not need to wait for kids to be vaccinated, to be safe https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/25/us/biden-schools-reopen-coronavirus.html
This matters because:
a) teachers should be vaccinated, and
b) school reopening does not need to wait for kids to be vaccinated, to be safe https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/25/us/biden-schools-reopen-coronavirus.html
This is, of course, subject to all of the caveats about modeling (NB: their highest level of community transmission was 100 cases/100K population per DAY.)
Full paper here: https://github.com/abilinski/BackToSchool2/blob/master/5%20-%20Draft/Schools_draft.pdf
Full paper here: https://github.com/abilinski/BackToSchool2/blob/master/5%20-%20Draft/Schools_draft.pdf
3) Final paper: A summary of existing evidence, and a reflection from the CDC. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2775875
The key piece: it's up to us.
So my final takeaways haven't changed since this summer.
1) Community transmission matters
2) It's possible to stay safe with #MaskUp, etc
3) But we're failing to protect teachers &kids in too many schools
Let's be smart, so we can reopen safely. Kids & our teachers deserve it.
1) Community transmission matters
2) It's possible to stay safe with #MaskUp, etc
3) But we're failing to protect teachers &kids in too many schools
Let's be smart, so we can reopen safely. Kids & our teachers deserve it.
To my folks in RI: yes, I'm well aware that some school systems are having difficulty with masking & stable pods. Glad we're now doing asymptomatic testing. Our communities must do their part, too.
To the pro-school folks: YES, I *absolutely* agree schools should be open - but these mitigation measures can be followed at least partially, *and* we have to have enough healthy teachers to open safely. (AKA: Why teacher vaccinations need to happen in phase 2.)
Lastly, my plea: When we follow the data, and focus on our kids, we're all on same team.
Ooh and another new preprint that says THE SAME THING (& includes modeling of B117 variant), by @CT_Bergstrom
Nb: finding the same/similar results, with a different model, is a good thing in science. https://twitter.com/CT_Bergstrom/status/1354082193501532165?s=19
Nb: finding the same/similar results, with a different model, is a good thing in science. https://twitter.com/CT_Bergstrom/status/1354082193501532165?s=19
