{"id":78108,"date":"2021-07-06T12:00:13","date_gmt":"2021-07-06T16:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsroom.carleton.ca\/?post_type=cu_story&p=78108"},"modified":"2025-08-19T09:37:13","modified_gmt":"2025-08-19T13:37:13","slug":"rethink-ventilation-schools","status":"publish","type":"cu_story","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/story\/rethink-ventilation-schools\/","title":{"rendered":"Rethink ventilation for a safe return to schools after the COVID-19 pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n Rethink ventilation for a safe return to schools after the COVID-19 pandemic\n <\/h1>\n \n <\/header>\n <\/div>\n\n \n <\/path>\n <\/path>\n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n

This article is republished<\/a> from The Conversation under a Creative Commons licence. All photos provided by The Conversation<\/a> from various sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The COVID-19 pandemic has taken its toll on everyone and we are all looking forward to getting back to normal. But an ill-planned return could result in new COVID-19 waves, which means more stay-at-home orders and further economic decline<\/a> and mental stress challenges<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is exacerbated by the appearance of new variants of concern<\/a>, which are more infectious. Recent reports showed that the Delta and Kappa variants, which originated in India, can be transmitted in seconds by simply walking next to an infected individual<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Planning the smooth resumption of indoor activities under current circumstances can be challenging because there are many factors involved in ensuring a safe return. Ventilation in schools needs to be improved before kids return to class and safety measures must be tested and followed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Safe return to normal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Some measures for guaranteeing a safe return to normal have already been taken, like providing vaccines to everyone. The COVID-19 vaccine provides considerably more protection than natural immunity<\/a> and is more than 90 per cent effective at preventing hospitalization for older adults<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, there have been no guarantees that school children will be fully vaccinated before going back to school. More data is expected about the effect of vaccines on children between five and under 12 years of age<\/a>, possibly after schools start. However, data for kindergarten children is not expected to be available at that time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other measures need to be taken to ensure the safety of schoolchildren before that time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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