Preventing COVID-19 Transmission in Education Settings

Abstract

We conducted a mixed-methods study of educational settings to assess COVID-19 mitigation policies. We observed variable adherence to policies and minimal COVID-19 transmission. What's Known on This Subject:The Centers for Disease Control outlined policies to mitigate COVID-19 spread in K-12 schools (to facilitate safe reopening). School promotion of these policies has been associated with limited school-based transmission, and lower in-school transmission compared to community rates. What This Study Adds:We directly observed adherence to COVID-19 mitigation policies in educational settings. We found variable adherence to policies and minimal COVID-19 transmission (despite high community incidence). We detail barriers and potential strategies for implementing COVID-19 mitigation policies.

Association of Child Masking With COVID-19–Related Closures in US Childcare Programs

“… 6 , 7 In kindergarten through 12th grade schools, masks are part of successful risk mitigation bundles that facilitate a safe return to in-person education. 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 Studies 8 , 9 suggest that with strict masking policies social distancing can be safely reduced from 6 to 3 feet. However, child masking has not been studied in childcare, where children are typically younger than 5 years, social distancing is challenging, and adherence to masking is less than in older children.…”

Useful Teaching Strategies in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine) Education during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…These containment strategies included closing common borders between countries, stay-at-home or 'lockdown' orders, limiting traveling within a given country, washing one's hands frequently with anti-microbial reagents, social distancing (in staying 6 feet apart), and wearing protective masks [1][2][3][4]. A study of educational settings in California recommended these mitigation policies for face-to-face instruction, such as masking with adequate supplies and designated 'unmasking zones' with distanced seating [5]. Depending on the amount of adherence to policy, scientists found minimal SARS-CoV-2 transmission [5].…”

“…A study of educational settings in California recommended these mitigation policies for face-to-face instruction, such as masking with adequate supplies and designated 'unmasking zones' with distanced seating [5]. Depending on the amount of adherence to policy, scientists found minimal SARS-CoV-2 transmission [5]. A meta-analysis of viral transmission studies concluded that individuals seated one meter apart greatly diminished the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 [6].…”

Proper Protective (Voting) Equipment: How Covid-19 Safety Measures Shaped In-Person Voting Experiences During the 2020 Election

“…Regarding participatory effects, other work has noted that Covid policies have the potential to increase voter wait times (Coll, 2022), which may go on to affect voter reneging and turnout (Lamb 2021). Regarding transmission prevention efficacy, previous research has suggested in-person voting may be linked to Covid spread (Cotti et al, 2021) but that some of the policies examined here can limit the spread of Covid in close contact areas such as schools (Kaiser et al, 2021), suggesting they may limit the spread at polling places. Further, some of these policies mitigate surface transmission, while others affect air transmission, with air transmission prevention the more efficacious strategy for limiting the spread of Covid (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021).…”