3 ms·

Those protocols are theater, and have no demonstrable effect on reducing transmission.

by tqi 5y ago

mlyle 5y ago
Actually, we have a number of studies-- showing lower transmission rates in schools using mitigations (ventilation improvements, screening, teacher microphones, and masking)-- and we have aerosol-model based physics providing justification for why this works -- https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.03.23.21253503v3.full https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.03.23.21253503v... And, anecdote: I'm at a school with windows open & masking. We have a fair amount of mandated testing, and there's been no transmission at school detected despite several primary cases. Compare to other schools with a lot of transmission detected. I don't financially need to work. I find teaching rewarding, but I'm not willing to kill my dad for it, kthx. I'm glad to be at a school which is making a reasonable compromise in this area.
- tqi 5y ago
  I'm speaking mostly about SFUSD covid guidelines[1], which prominently mention hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, gloves, and gowns. AFAIK we have no evidence of those being effective at reducing indoor transmission. Re: risk, I think that is a completely reasonable position for you to take. I also think it is reasonable for parents to prefer an environment that they feel is optimized for their kids needs. [1] https://www.sfusd.edu/covid-19-response-updates-and-resources/health-and-safety-guidelines/maintaining-healthy-environments https://www.sfusd.edu/covid-19-response-updates-and-resource...
  - mlyle 5y ago
    > I'm speaking mostly about SFUSD covid guidelines[1], which prominently mention hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, gloves, and gowns. AFAIK we have no evidence of those being effective at reducing indoor transmission. That just says those supplies will be available. They're available at my workplace, too. This is the one thing that we've de-emphasized this year: > Staff will clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces like door handles, desks, countertops, phones, keyboards, light switches, handles, toilets and faucets at least once daily. OTOH, I do run a lab and now wipe down the frequently used tools a couple of times per day. It may or may not make a difference for COVID, but it probably will reduce the transmission of stomach bugs and influenza.

Those protocols are theater, and have no demonstrable effect on reducing transmission.

by tqi 5y ago

Those protocols are theater, and have no demonstrable effect on reducing transmission.

Actually, we have a number of studies-- showing lower transmission rates in schools using mitigations (ventilation improvements, screening, teacher microphones, and masking)-- and we have aerosol-model based physics providing justification for why this works -- https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.03.23.21253503v3.full https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.03.23.21253503v... And, anecdote: I'm at a school with windows open & masking. We have a fair amount of mandated testing, and there's been no transmission at school detected despite several primary cases. Compare to other schools with a lot of transmission detected. I don't financially need to work. I find teaching rewarding, but I'm not willing to kill my dad for it, kthx. I'm glad to be at a school which is making a reasonable compromise in this area.

tqi 5y ago
I'm speaking mostly about SFUSD covid guidelines[1], which prominently mention hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, gloves, and gowns. AFAIK we have no evidence of those being effective at reducing indoor transmission. Re: risk, I think that is a completely reasonable position for you to take. I also think it is reasonable for parents to prefer an environment that they feel is optimized for their kids needs. [1] https://www.sfusd.edu/covid-19-response-updates-and-resources/health-and-safety-guidelines/maintaining-healthy-environments https://www.sfusd.edu/covid-19-response-updates-and-resource...
- mlyle 5y ago
  > I'm speaking mostly about SFUSD covid guidelines[1], which prominently mention hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, gloves, and gowns. AFAIK we have no evidence of those being effective at reducing indoor transmission. That just says those supplies will be available. They're available at my workplace, too. This is the one thing that we've de-emphasized this year: > Staff will clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces like door handles, desks, countertops, phones, keyboards, light switches, handles, toilets and faucets at least once daily. OTOH, I do run a lab and now wipe down the frequently used tools a couple of times per day. It may or may not make a difference for COVID, but it probably will reduce the transmission of stomach bugs and influenza.