Informative workshop on the return to face-to-face activities

With the aim of responding to the concerns that have arisen in the educational community, after the resumption of face-to-face activities, a multidisciplinary team of researchers seeks to explain and provide up-to-date scientific information on the evidence for COVID-19 and the effectiveness of measures to mitigate the spread of SARS-COV-2. As well as, improve practices that allow the development of face-to-face activities, minimizing the greatest risk where possible.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was evident that face-to-face in schools is the best way for children to, girls and adolescents learn the necessary tools to live together in society. According to experts, the closure of schools for prolonged times, it brings with it side effects on the physical and mental health and even on the life expectancy of a generation of children who have not been able to interact in person with their peers, nor with the environment, affected your well-being in an integral way.

But the questions that are asked by much of society are: Is it safe for children to return to face-to-face classes? What actions should be taken by the different actors involved in the return to face-to-face classes? From the educational establishments what are the general recommendations for a prompt return to schools? among other very common and important concerns in these times.

For this reason, a team of researchers from various disciplines belonging to the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Center for Sustainable Urban Development (CEDEUS), School of public health, Faculty of medicine, University of Chile, Center for Mathematical Modeling, Faculty of Physical Sciences and Mathematics Department of Geophysics, Faculty of Physical Sciences and Mathematics, University of Chile, Center for Climate Science and Resilience, School of Psychology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and Centro Avanzada de Enfermedades Crónicas ACCDIS held an informative guide that seeks to explain and provide up-to-date scientific information on the evidence of contagion and the effectiveness of SARS-COV-2 mitigation measures.

DRA. Sandra Cortés, epidemiologist and researcher ACCDIS – MAUCO and CEDEUS

In response to the aforementioned concerns, Dr.. Sandra Cortés, epidemiologist and accdis researcher – MAUCO and CEDEUS of puc, reinforced the negative impact of the pandemic on children, "it became necessary to replan educational practices, restrict children's movement and offer them online education in the best-case scenario, but we know that not all children have the optimal conditions to study remotely. This certainly, has led to deterioration in children's health, recently we did a little work and were able to investigate that the pattern of physical activities was noticeably reduced, the time of hours in front of the screens was increased and not only for educational issues, it was also used as the only entertainment tool, significantly increasing risk factors for obesity or diabetes".

Protecting ourselves and others from COVID19

In principle, to make schools safe, all adults are required to be vaccinated, then ensure optimal ventilation, "i.e., there must be a continuous and cross air renewal, the air must enter through all the windows of the space where the children are, "explained Dr.. Sandra, stressing that the window should not be opened and closed for a while, ventilation must be constant, for this reason, at this point the specialist also emphasized that children and teachers, must wear the appropriate clothing for each season, for example for cold conditions, it is recommended to dress in layers, warm and light clothing.

On the other hand, the Dra. Cortes recommended that, to identify the number of people to allow in a room with good ventilation conditions, the educational institution can use carbon dioxide measurement (CO2) through a certified quality meter. The World Organization (WHO) recommends that air remain below 700 ppm indoors.

It should be noted that CO2 meters would not only serve for the current pandemic, but for many diseases respiratory infecto-contagious, such as measles or tuberculosis, which can be controlled by means of adequate levels of ventilation in enclosed areas.

Among the general recommendations provided by the experts are:

  • Use of CO2 measurement as an indicator of the correct ventilation of an interior space. These monitors are simple tools to quantify whether indoor ventilation levels are adequate to reduce the risk of exposure to SARS-CoV2.
  • It is recommended to use disposable three-fold masks. It must be used correctly at all times, should never be lent or exchanged.
  • A distance of 2 meters must be maintained with people who are not part of the family cycle, especially in enclosed places.
  • It is necessary not to remain in environments with poor ventilation.
  • Snacks and lunches should preferably take place outdoors, with physical distance and avoiding conversing or laughing without a mask.
  • Each room must have a pre-set container for disposable masks.
  • In the case of the staff of the educational establishment, good quality and well-fitted masks should be worn during the school day; these should not be replaced by transparent face shields or cloth masks. Teachers and educators should avoid exchanging school supplies between students.
  • It is the responsibility of schools to ensure proper ventilation in classrooms.
  • According to the scientific evidence, it is recommended not to use acrylic separators between students' desks as they can cause more harm than good by interrupting ventilation.
  • The application of mass disinfections should be avoided and hand washing should be promoted several times during the school day. Disinfectant products are respiratory irritants.

Workshop: Safe schools in times of COVID19

In search of advising and offering answers to the educational community, on the return of face-to-face activities in schools, This Friday, August 20 from 15:00 hours on the YouTube channel of Explore NORTH RM, a team of researchers will offer an informative workshop where they will explain the detail of the practices that will improve the development of face-to-face activities.

In this line, the organizing team invites decision makers from educational establishments, Department of Municipal Education Administration, teachers, Educators, address of establishments, carers, adolescents and the general public, to participate and leave your questions from now on in comunicaciones@accdis.cl

For the director of the Explora program, Marcela Colombres, “This activity is certainly in line with the essence of the Explore program; the importance of the socialization of knowledge within the educational community. In this case about the use of relevant evidence about the pandemic that helps to generate a safe and responsible return of the educational community within the current context".

"We value these instances from the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation since they allow to open a space where scientific knowledge is made available to the concerns and transversal needs of our society. For this reason we invite everyone who wants to join this free activity of the Explora RM Norte Associative Project and make decisions and generate good practices in their educational communities", Colombres judgment.

This workshop organized by ACCDIS, the Center for Sustainable Urban Development, Climate Science and Resilience Center with the support of the Ministry of Science's Explore and Explore Northern Metropolitan Region Project, Technology, Knowledge and innovation.

Read full research at here