PPE and Safety Measures

Asymptomatic Transmission

Transmission of SARS-CoV-2: implications for infection prevention precautions - "In brief, evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 RNA can be detected in people 1-3 days before their symptom onset, with the highest viral loads, as measured by RT-PCR, observed around the day of symptom onset, followed by a gradual decline over time." "Multiple studies have shown that people infect others before they themselves became ill"

The implications of silent transmission for the control of COVID-19 outbreaks - "Our results indicate that silent disease transmission during the presymptomatic and asymptomatic stages are responsible for more than 50% of the overall attack rate in COVID-19 outbreaks."

Possibility of Airborne Transmission

Airborne Spread of SARS-CoV-2 and a Potential Role for Air Disinfection - "available studies are consistent with the potential aerosol spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), not only through coughing and sneezing, but by normal breathing."

Transmission of SARS-CoV-2: implications for infection prevention precautions - "Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 can occur through direct, indirect, or close contact with infected people through infected secretions such as saliva and respiratory secretions or their respiratory droplets, which are expelled when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks or sings.""WHO, together with the scientific community, has been actively discussing and evaluating whether SARS-CoV-2 may also spread through aerosols in the absence of aerosol generating procedures, particularly in indoor settings with poor ventilation." " However, fomite transmission is considered a likely mode of transmission for SARS-CoV-2, given consistent findings about environmental contamination in the vicinity of infected cases and the fact that other coronaviruses and respiratory viruses can transmit this way." "The role and extent of airborne transmission outside of health care facilities, and in particular in close settings with poor ventilation, also requires further study."

PPE Shortages

School nurses ask for funding as they prepare for school return - "The NASN asked the federal government for $208 billion to help meet the financial needs for keeping students safe nationwide."

Personal Protective Equipment Shortages During COVID-19—Supply Chain–Related Causes and Mitigation Strategies - "Since the start of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, health care systems across the US have reported substantial personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages, compromising their ability to keep health care professionals safe while treating increasing numbers of patients."

“Abandoned” Nursing Homes Continue to Face Critical Supply and Staff Shortages as COVID-19 Toll Has Mounted - "Nursing home representatives and researchers alike have observed that the widespread PPE and testing shortages have gotten far too little attention amidst a plethora of negative news coverage."

Sourcing Personal Protective Equipment During the COVID-19 Pandemic - "PPE, formerly ubiquitous and disposable in the hospital environment, is now a scarce and precious commodity in many locations when it is needed most to care for highly infectious patients."

U.S. sees spreading infection, spiking deaths and dwindling supply of PPE - "testing delays, and shortages in personal protective equipment, are again growing acute."

Density of Schools

Healthy Air Tools for Schools and Districts (American Lung Association) - "Schools typically have four times as many people indoors as an office building with the same floor space."