Clean Air in Schools

Covid can have substantial impacts on peoples’ health. Although Covid initially enters the body through the respiratory system, it can affect virtually every bodily system and organ. There are no advantages to catching Covid. Every infection increases the chance of serious damage to the body.[1] Studies show that at least 10% of all Covid infections result in Long Covid, including in children.[2] Long Covid symptoms include fatigue, brain fog, dizziness and headaches, sleep disruption, and anxiety which impact children's school performance and attendance.[3]

In particular, too many children and educators are still getting Covid. We shouldn’t be so careless with our taonga. Teachers are most at risk of catching Covid.[4] Too many have had to leave the profession due to Long Covid. Schools are the best place to start deploying better tools to manage airborne diseases, which also include measles and whooping cough. When children acquire infections, they carry them home to their families and into our communities. Māori, Pasifika and disabled people have been especially hard hit by Covid,[5] and we know government response that devolves power to those communities works best. Under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Government has a responsibility to uphold working with Māori in partnership and that is not happening with the Covid response anymore.

We know a number of effective strategies to reduce Covid’s spread and it is not acceptable to continue our hands-off approach to Covid. Schools that have taken action regarding clean air have found reduced transmission, healthier school communities, and better student achievement.[6] The three main areas where we can make the biggest impact collectively are: clean air, vaccination, and supporting the health needs of school and ECE communities.

A healthy clean air classroom should have five air changes per hour with the exhaled air in the room being replaced with fresh air.[7] Having access to CO2 monitors and portable air cleaners plays a critical role in achieving this. We can use CO2 monitors to check the indoor air quality and respond by opening windows and doors and/or deploying HEPA air filters and HVAC systems.

Vaccines have played an important part in combating Covid worldwide. At the moment, the New Zealand government allows only very limited access to regular Covid boosters even though it has been shown that updated vaccines decrease the risk of infection and long-term effects like Long Covid.[8]

Isolation and rest protect afflicted individuals and break chains of transmission. People need access to tests as well as adequate sick leave for themselves and to care for family members.

With these sorts of measures, we can decrease absences, keep educators and children healthy, and even improve academic achievement.

For more information about the importance of clean air in schools, visit the ACA website.

Sources:
1.  https://www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/long-covid-update-threat-continues-demand-strong-response
2. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41579-022-00846-2
3. https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/153/3/e2023062570/196606/Postacute-Sequelae-of-SARS-CoV-2-in-Children
4. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7615205/
5. https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/news/2023/01/covid-19-impacts-worse-for-maori-pasifika-and-disabled-people-study-finds
6. https://www.nber.org/system/files/working_papers/w30061/w30061.pdf
7. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ventilation/prevention/aim-for-5.html
8. https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/2024-09/prop-028-report.pdf

Organisations and individuals supporting this campaign:

https://raisely-images.imgix.net/aotearoa-covid-action/uploads/signatories-jpg-d177d4.jpg

Aotearoa Covid Action
ActionStation
NZEI Te Riu Roa
PPTA
ANZMES
Long Covid Kids
Long Covid Support Aotearoa
Complex Chronic Illness Support
Disabled Persons Assembly NZ
ME Support
350 Aotearoa 
End ASH Now
The Air Quality Collective

Professor Michael Baker - Director, Public Health Communication Centre

Dr Amanda Kvalsvig MBChB, MRCPCH, MSc (Epidemiology), PhD (Epidemiology)

John D Potter MBBS PhD, Professor, Center for Public Health Research, Massey University, Wellington

Dr Matire Harwood PhD, FRNZCGP, Toi Whanau Health Ltd.

Dr Gary Payinda

Dr Ed Hyde

Dr David Galler

Dr Stuart Ekdahl MBChB FRNZCUC 

Dr Siouxsie Wiles MNZM PhD (Microbiology)