Get ready to break out of that distance learning routine, Rhode Island… here comes the new school year, and with it a whole new host of concerns.
Whether you agree with the in-person model or not, many classrooms will be returning to ‘the new normal’ effective September 14th. If I were a betting person, I’d hazard a guess that the schools will all be closed again by the end of October. Hand sanitizer and disposable masks are not enough to keep everyone safe. And while many private schools were quick to act and pursue innovative solutions, including contracting with us, the majority of the districts simply waited too long. They cited budgetary constraints, they blamed the Administration. They lacked the foresight to demand a better solution. Now it’s too late to deploy anything truly creative in an attempt to thwart what will surely become a Petri-dish of COVID19. Someone forgot to do their homework (Looking at you, RI ).
The re-opening protocol alone should raise more than a few eyebrows. We are not prepared, there are not nearly enough spaces allocated for ‘positive’ students to learn from. And it should go without saying, but what do you think the likelihood is children will forget the new ‘no touch, no sharing’ mentality we’ve hammered into them since February? It’s very likely.
If you don’t have the option to keep your school-age children home, then our suggestion to parents is this: Demand your school provide proof that all air filtration, HVAC, and circulation ducts are tested, treated, and have new HEPA filters, where applicable. Now that studies have determined the ‘aerosol’ transmission of the virus, unless your district has a demonstrated track record of properly servicing the facilities, it is one of the largest risk factors for people in closed environments. Keep in mind that most of these facilities have sat vacant with all systems shut down — for months. The mold, mildew, bacteria etc that is now lurking inside the buildings’ air-filtration system is very likely legion. Be smart, ask questions, demand answers – we’ll even give you a gold star.
Which brings me to my last points this week. First: If you haven’t checked out our Student kit yet, what are you waiting for? It’s one of the cheapest, non-toxic, and easy ways to help keep your student safe. It’s only $19.99, and you can even come pick it up if you want. We’d love to meet you!
Also, our resident genius, and my CoFounder Todd Thomas, has another INCREDIBLE product design we’re about to launch! It’s a whole new way to filter air inside a building, and it’s going to be affordable unlike a lot of ‘solutions’ on the market. I’d share the sketch, but I’m pretty sure he’s got it under lock and key.
Until next week, please stay safe and rock on. We’ve got you covered!
Photo Credit: USA Today
