As a new year started in January, 2022 began much like March of 2020 ended. Millions of children were not in the classroom as half of Canada’s provinces delayed returning to school after the holiday break. The reason: the COVID-19 Omicron variant was spreading like wildfire. While this new variant is less severe than other variants like Delta, it is more infectious and has threatened to overwhelm our healthcare systems with increased hospitalizations.

School boards or systems are responsible for making the learning environment as safe as possible for both staff and students. There are many ways to accomplish this and prepare for future health crises. Schools should implement these layered prevention strategies to mitigate the risks of infection or transmission to the school community and beyond.

Breathe easy

We know that COVID-19 is transmitted through the air either by droplets or tiny aerosol particles that come from an infected person speaking, singing, coughing, or sneezing. To be infected, the droplets or aerosols must make direct contact with the mucous membranes in a person’s nose, mouth, or eyes or be inhaled into the airway and lungs. However, there is a major difference between the droplets and aerosols. Droplets are usually visible and fall to the ground fairly quickly after leaving a person’s body. They are most dangerous to those within three to six feet. Aerosols, by comparison, are microscopic and can float in the air for minutes or even hours. It helps to picture aerosols like smoke from a cigarette. It floats, spreads, and lingers in an enclosed space for a long time.

Statistically, there is a significant decrease in the chance of spreading the COVID-19 virus while outside compared to being inside. However, it is not practical to hold classes outside due to the weather (i.e. rain, snow, too hot or too cold).

However, there are ways to make the air inside safer for everyone. One fundamental method is to improve the ventilation throughout a building. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) offers numerous suggestions on how to increase airflow, including opening windows and doors if the weather and security situation permits it. The environmental situation around the school will influence this move, as the air quality outside could trigger asthma or other health risks to students and staff. If possible, a school’s maintenance team can modify a building’s heating, venting, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to increase airflow to occupied parts of a building and draw air from the outside. The HVAC system should also include high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters.

School boards can install air purification devices to the existing HVAC systems or stand-alone units in classrooms for added protection. In addition, these devices help filter out airborne particles while pushing out clean, refreshed air. The PHAC recommends devices that include HEPA filters, which effectively capture viruses. Machines that include ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI), which can inactivate viruses, could also help mitigate the spread of germs. These machines purify the air from other contaminants like dust, mould, pollen, and potentially toxic pollutants. The net impact of this improvement could be an increase in productivity and fewer sick days for staff and students.

Vaccinate where possible

Currently, anyone over the age of five can get the COVID-19 vaccine, while people with two doses are eligible for a booster shot. They are safe and effective. Currently, most hospitalizations from the Omicron variant are unvaccinated people. If possible, getting every staff member and student inoculated would make the school setting safer for everyone. The PHAC promotes vaccination as the leading public health prevention strategy and could allow a reasonably typical school year that includes extracurricular activities.

Mask up and be distant

The PHAC advises everyone in an indoor setting, like a school, to wear a mask, preferably an N95 model. That includes teachers, students, staff, and visitors, regardless of their vaccination status. As mentioned above, physical distancing plays a significant role in this strategy. It is recommended that everyone maintain a distance of at least two metres whenever possible.

Screening and testing

Preventing the spread of COVID-19 requires vigilance. Parents should screen their children daily for fevers or other possible symptoms. School staff should also monitor themselves for any potential signs of infection. If there are any symptoms, the affected person needs to take a rapid test and stay home. Unfortunately, due to the explosive growth of Omicron, PCR testing has become limited, but public health officials are still doing contact tracing to limit the possibility of further community spread. Where practical, teachers could take the temperature of children as they arrive at school to check for fevers.

Hand hygiene

Good hand hygiene is probably the easiest and most effective way to prevent illness. People should wash their hands often using soap and water for at least 20 seconds. There is no need for special antibacterial soap. When used correctly, regular soap will remove virtually all the harmful viruses, toxins, dirt, and bacteria that could cause illnesses. Staff and students should be encouraged to wash their hands regularly, like when they touch their masks, before or after eating, after using the washroom, or coming into the classroom. There should be reminders for students not to touch their eyes, nose, or mouth with dirty hands.

Another effective method is using hand sanitizer. Products with at least 60 per cent alcohol will kill germs. However, they will not remove dirt or chemical residue that could be harmful. Dispensers should be in every class so students and teachers can sanitize when they enter the room.

Prevention is key

While many thought vaccinations would bring about the end of COVID-19, variants like Omicron and Delta are prolonging the situation. But, despite this, schools must continue being vigilant to protect their staff and students. While no single method is completely effective on its own, a layered prevention strategy will stop or limit the number of people who contract or spread the disease. It will also hopefully allow the rest of the school year to be as close to normal as possible.

Marshal Sterio is the CEO of Surgically Clean Air Inc., a Toronto-based manufacturer of portable systems that purify air by supplementing existing HVAC systems. The company’s products are market leaders in dental practices, currently protect over 50,000 dental professionals, and are used by Fortune 500 companies, Major League Baseball clubs, the NBA, the NHL and thousands of other organizations.