What We're Fighting for

Massachusetts Education Safety Advocacy Group believes that safety must be the primary consideration in planning for education in the fall. Student and staff safety is critically important. State and local level guidance needs to be rooted in scientific evidence and honest, transparent discussion of the limitations of studies is needed. For example, DESE must:

1. Include studies of COVID-19 transmission in adults in future guidance. Increase social distancing to a minimum of 6 feet in schools, the same distance used for every other Massachusetts industry.

2. Ensure adequate PPE for staff, especially staff who will be working with students who are not wearing a mask.

3. Create safeguards for students and school staff who are high-risk for COVID-19, or who have a high-risk family member.

4. Consult with multiple doctors who work with adults on appropriate medical guidance. Ensure at least one pulmonologist is involved, and that some doctors involved have personally treated COVID-19 patients.

5. Consult school staff, students, and parents throughout the process of guiding school reopening