New Mass. coalition cites 16 issues that must be addressed before schools reopen

Concerns surrounding ventilation, personal protective equipment, mask-wearing and social distancing must be addressed before schools can safely reopen, a newly formed coalition of Massachusetts nurses, parents and teachers say.

“We don’t believe our State is ready to pursue in-person learning safely. And until these issues are resolved, it is also not safe to have staff stationed in these schools to conduct remote learning for students,” reads a position statement from the Coalition to Safely Reopen Schools.

The coalition was spearheaded by the Massachusetts Nurses Association and brings together school nurses, teachers, parents, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, librarians, school support staff, janitorial staff and community advocates.

The group is aimed at giving medically-informed recommendations for reopening schools with in-person learning, a goal that is not yet ready to be attained. The coalition is calling for a phased approach to reopening.

The position statement issued on Monday highlights 16 different concerns that need to be addressed for the safe return to school.

Such concerns include proper ventilation, resources for hygiene and mask-wearing, safe cleaning practices, access to rapid testing, appropriate school nurse staffing, space to isolate possible COVID cases and safe transportation.

“We are about to confront a potential second wave of the pandemic in combination with the onset of the flu season. The stakes in this process could not be higher and the outcome of our decisions truly have life and death consequences,” the statement said.

Patty Comeau, a member of the coalition and school nurse in Methuen said, “In confronting this challenge, a safe, scientifically guided, well-planned, adequately funded and appropriately resourced process must be the priority.”

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Gov. Charlie Baker did not respond to request for comment regarding the concerns presented in the coalition’s statement.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/2G7DDay