Post by Nadica (She/Her) on Sept 4, 2024 2:46:38 GMT
As school starts, we can’t let our guard down against COVID spread - Published Sept 3, 2024\
Airborne prevention strategies are essential
In the article “Best health practices, COVID safety as students return to school” (Metro, Aug. 29), federal, state, and local authorities’ advice on COVID-19 safety is focused on hand-washing and hand sanitizing as key to preventing the spread of this extremely contagious respiratory virus. It should be well known by now that the virus responsible for COVID infections is spread through the air, from breathing, talking, and singing as well as coughing and sneezing.
With no required testing and the CDC now recommending a return to “normal activities” when symptoms have improved over 24 hours, the virus can be a frequent visitor throughout indoor school environments. Key prevention strategies must include good ventilation and filtration systems (HVAC systems, HEPA filters) as well as having good masks available and making vaccinations easily accessible.
In early 2020, before the virus that causes COVID was recognized as being airborne, strategies for prevention focused on hand-washing, hand sanitizing, and surface-washing and sanitizing. Have we learned nothing in the last four-plus years?
Nancy Lessin
Jamaica Plain
The writer is a retired occupational health specialist, a member of BPS Families for COVID Safety, and a member of the Health Technical Committee of the Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health.
Can’t overlook the importance of masking
Your article on back-to-school COVID-19 safety omitted a critical part of the CDC’s guidance on preventing the spread of the coronavirus.
The article correctly notes that people with COVID symptoms are encouraged to wash their hands frequently for five days after returning to normal activity. However, there is no mention of another key CDC recommendation: masking during that time.
Hand-washing is a great tool that reduces the spread of many infectious diseases, but it doesn’t prevent transmission of airborne viruses such as SARS-CoV-2. Only masking can do that.
Please don’t promote ignorance of basic precautions. COVID levels are high in Massachusetts, according to the CDC, and children will no doubt be exposed to the virus as they return to school.
Airborne prevention strategies are essential
In the article “Best health practices, COVID safety as students return to school” (Metro, Aug. 29), federal, state, and local authorities’ advice on COVID-19 safety is focused on hand-washing and hand sanitizing as key to preventing the spread of this extremely contagious respiratory virus. It should be well known by now that the virus responsible for COVID infections is spread through the air, from breathing, talking, and singing as well as coughing and sneezing.
With no required testing and the CDC now recommending a return to “normal activities” when symptoms have improved over 24 hours, the virus can be a frequent visitor throughout indoor school environments. Key prevention strategies must include good ventilation and filtration systems (HVAC systems, HEPA filters) as well as having good masks available and making vaccinations easily accessible.
In early 2020, before the virus that causes COVID was recognized as being airborne, strategies for prevention focused on hand-washing, hand sanitizing, and surface-washing and sanitizing. Have we learned nothing in the last four-plus years?
Nancy Lessin
Jamaica Plain
The writer is a retired occupational health specialist, a member of BPS Families for COVID Safety, and a member of the Health Technical Committee of the Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health.
Can’t overlook the importance of masking
Your article on back-to-school COVID-19 safety omitted a critical part of the CDC’s guidance on preventing the spread of the coronavirus.
The article correctly notes that people with COVID symptoms are encouraged to wash their hands frequently for five days after returning to normal activity. However, there is no mention of another key CDC recommendation: masking during that time.
Hand-washing is a great tool that reduces the spread of many infectious diseases, but it doesn’t prevent transmission of airborne viruses such as SARS-CoV-2. Only masking can do that.
Please don’t promote ignorance of basic precautions. COVID levels are high in Massachusetts, according to the CDC, and children will no doubt be exposed to the virus as they return to school.