Reply to Smart Restart APS- ventilation studies

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Reply to "Smart Restart APS- ventilation studies"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Aren't people here saying elementary school shouldn't be going back either until CPC guidelines are met?  I didn't think the complaining parents on here are limited to middle and high school because safety doesn't matter for their elementary kids, but maybe I misunderstood.  It's a long thread and I haven't read all of it.

I certainly don't mean to gaslight.  And I did not mean to suggest that, for example, elementary kids shouldn't go back until high schools met the required standards -- that was bad phrasing on my part and I apologize.  [/quote]

A lot of different thoughts in this thread. Here's my understanding of what it seems a lot of people are saying: elementary should go back in March because the CDC guidelines allow for it, even though Arlington is the "red" or highest level.  But before going back in early March, it would be great if the correct number of air filters/purifiers could be properly placed in each APS classroom (some classrooms may need more than one to achieve the ideal 4-6 air exchanges per hour because of the size of those classrooms, although most classrooms are fine with just one).  It also would be great if APS could implement a better lunch plan before early March , with no kids eating in the cafeteria. Personally, I think all lunch should be outside.  For MS and HS, the CDC guidelines raise a bigger question because they recommend only virtual learning for MS and HS in the "red" or highest level, unless APS has in place a comprehensive screening test system in place. It doesn't seem APS does, so it *could* necessitate a delay in re-opening MS and HS. But the same thing re ventilation and lunch would apply to MS and HS when they open, but perhaps even more acutely for lunch because many of the current lunch plans involve a lot of kids eating in a cafeteria.

Of course, some are saying to go back at all levels now, regardless of ventilation, lunch plans, or CDC guidelines.[/quote]

I don't believe this is an accurate characterization of the CDC guidelines for MS and HS.  The guidelines say that if there is no screening testing in place, MS and HS can reopen if they strictly implement all mitigation strategies and have low case numbers.  Since our schools aren't open we don't have school case numbers, but we can look at the other mitigation strategies they should implement per CDC guidelines:

Universal and correct use of masks
Physical distancing
Handwashing and respiratory etiquette
Cleaning and maintaining healthy facilities
Contact tracing in combination with isolation and quarantine, in collaboration with the health department

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/operation-strategy.html

From what I can see on the APS website, they are planning to implement all of those mitigation strategies.  I have no opposition to a screening testing program as part of reopening, but anyone who insists that it must be part of the reopening plan is going beyond the CDC guidelines.[/quote]

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