. @AFTPa_Pres: "Given the severity of this virus, AFT Pa does not believe schools can safely reopen unless there is a sustained consistent downward trajectory of cases as demonstrated by three community health gate keeping benchmarks:

First, 50 cases per 100,000 of population over a fourteen-day period. This is necessary to document that the total numbers of those diagnosed with COVID-19 are in decline.

Next, the positivity rate must be less than or equal to five percent over the most recent 14-day period.

Finally, the effective transmission rate, the “R-number” is and remains below 1 for 14 consecutive days prior to any return to school buildings. The R-number indicates how many uninfected people would become infected if they come into contact w/ someone who has #COVID19

Only after all of these benchmarks are met, do we think it might be safe enough to return to in-school learning." #reopensafely