Once again the CDC has released an update about COVID-19, this time clarifying the circumstances where transmission is airborne. Their description is filled with caveats. It seems that we have to read between the lines to understand what they are trying to say without coming out and saying it.
Here is the guidance, what do you think they are trying to say without saying it? There is an elephant in the room folks, and clearly, I am not the only one who sees it! What are the implications for schools? What procedures do we need to revise? Are face coverings enough? My nursing judgment is saying absolutely not!
I am thankful for award-winning investigative health journalist, Apoorva Mandavilli, who writes for the New York Times. Her most recent article is important to read:
The new guidance takes on urgent importance as cooling temperatures send people back indoors, where risk of the virus spreading by air is highest. The agency’s advice also guides managers of schools, offices, hospitals and other public buildings in preparing for the winter by improving their ventilation systems and taking other precautions.
Published by Robin Cogan, MEd, RN, NCSN, FNASN, FAAN
Robin Cogan, MEd, RN, NCSN, FNASN, FAAN, is a Nationally Certified School Nurse (NCSN), currently in her 22nd year as a New Jersey school nurse in the Camden City School District. Robin is the Director for New Jersey to the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) Board. She is proud to be a Johnson & Johnson School Health Leadership Fellow and past Program Mentor. Robin is the honored recipient of multiple awards for her work in school nursing and population health. These awards include, 2019 and 2020 National Association of School Nurses President’s Award, 2018 NCSN School Nurse of the Year, 2017 Johnson & Johnson School Nurse of the Year, and the New Jersey Department of Health 2017 Population Health Hero Award. Robin serves as faculty in the School Nurse Certificate Program at Rutgers University-Camden School of Nursing, where she teaches the next generation of school nurses. She was presented the 2018 Rutgers University – Camden Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence Award for Part-time Faculty. Robin writes a weekly blog called The Relentless School Nurse. She also writes a monthly column in My American Nurse, the official journal of the American Nurses Association. Robin’s work is included as a case study in The Future of Nursing Report 2020-2030. You can follow Robin on Twitter at @RobinCogan.
View all posts by Robin Cogan, MEd, RN, NCSN, FNASN, FAAN
