Ventilation is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of viruses, including COVID-19. Ventilation was one of the most frequently raised concerns at the Chancellor’s Borough conversations earlier this month. As part of the effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in classrooms, the NYCDOE has distributed 100,000 air purifiers to schools in the 2020-2021 school year. Now we are working to ensure each classroom has two air purifiers by the time schools fully reopen for the 2021-2022 school year. The air purifiers are high-efficiency particulate air filters, or HEPA filters. The Center for Disease Control recommends HEPA filters, because they are 99.97% effective at capturing viral particles. Air filtration is proven to reduce COVID-19 transmission, and will also be of benefit to school community members with asthma and allergies.
In addition to the air purifiers, custodians will receive CO2 monitors to measure fresh air, and schools are getting ventilation upgrades including repairs to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Read more details on Chalkbeat.
