We NEED to talk #VENTILATION in #Backtoschool & #UnsafeSeptember. In the absence of true source control (Transmission prevention, Step1: don’t let a pathogen in the building); and also in the absence of reducing vector movement & proximity with #PhysicalDistancing (Step2) /1

AND also in the absence of #MasksforAll (K-3) in a building with K-8 students (Transmission prevention, Step 3), you need to address STEP 4: proper ventilation. Right now there LITTLE mention of #ventilation upgrades or protocols in schools = a disaster waiting to happen. /2

Think WHEN not IF (unacceptable to everyone but @fordnation @sflecce). As I review recent studies on ventilation, air flow, & circulation as it applies to #COVID19, I came across this article that does a tidy job of what I had already read /3 https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/07/why-arent-we-talking-more-about-airborne-transmission/614737/

In short, research starting to clarify types of respiratory #COVID19 particulate that causes infection: concluding that both large droplets & micro-mist carry the virus & while large droplets fall within about 2m (NOT 1m) after expulsion, smaller microparticles linger in air /4

Micropartilces can be inhaled by another person in proximity. Now imagine that these particles CAN hang for hours, not minutes, & can then be circulate around a class by poor systems that recycle air as opposed to push clean air in & force old air out. /5

This article speaks to the fact that we can have a false sense of security during ‘reopening’ by posting ‘clean & healthy’ images of sanitizer without a word on ventilation: opening windows, creating windows, upgrading HVAC systems, using portable HEPA filters. It asks: /6

So droplets travel point-to-point while respiratory aerosol hangs in air. Research database w 1200 #COVID19 transmission events (super-spreader events) states that ALL (BUT ONE) occurred indoors in enclosed spaces with poor ventilation .../7

Of 1200 major #COVID19 super-spreader events (call centers, restaurants, churches, family gatherings) ALL-but one- occur indoors, enclosed, with poor ventilation where lots of people are talking, raising voices, & singing. /8

''Those who argue that COVID-19 can spread through aerosol routes point to the prevalence and conditions of these super-spreader events as one of the most important pieces of evidence for airborne transmission.'' /9

A case study from a restaurant in Guangzhou, China, confirmed that the #COVID19 positive individual infected individuals across the restaurant but not those beside them DUE to air circulation flows & duct placement. /10

The Korean call centre study is possibly the most telling as people are cubicled (but not masked - think K-3) and most of that side of the building, regardless of partitions or placement of desks, was infected by two #COVID19 9 individuals. /11

What this means for us, #Ontario, for #Backtoschool #UnsafeSeptember is that we are literally putting our children & families into potential super-spreader scenarios like the ones outlines in the article /12

In-school scenarios whereby exhaled particles; from K-3 students, or that escape a mask with enough force - cough sneeze - or do to poor fit, below nose, non-compliance etc, could remain in the air, circulating #COVID19 regardless of how much handwashing or sanitizing we do. /13

#COVID19 is a respiratory airborne virus. We need to talk about good #ventilation & air circulation if we are going to negate the first 3 KEYS STEPS (Source control, #PhysicalDistancing, #Masks4All ) in transmission prevention for #Backtoschool #UnsafeSeptember. /14

As a former federal @GovCanHealth Public Health surveillance officer, I am appalled that a government would OUTRIGHT not implement the first 3 steps in good infection transmission prevention. It's irresponsible, unethical, and imo criminal. I am literally in shock everyday. /15

Beyond this, #ventilation in #superspreader events is a key issue for #Backtoschool #UnsafeSeptember. Sending kids, families, and staff into this environment daily is dangerous as it greatly increases risk especially for non-designated schools at capacity. criminal. /16