Cases rising in secondary school-aged children - more mitigation measures needed?

[noblegiraffe]

The graph that was notable by its absence in this week's briefing has been released and it shows a steep increase in infections in 10-19 year olds. This is backed up by the ONS survey showing an increase in infections in years 7-11.

The Guardian appears to be the only newspaper to have noticed this, with government mouthpiece Prof Viner blathering 'it is likely that much of the transmission among groups of young people may be outside school settings, as we really have limited evidence of transmission within schools', completely ignoring the graph in front of his face that shows the rise looking remarkably coincident with the date schools re-opened.

With people on here insisting that the number of outbreaks in schools ( 13,000 kids in Birmingham currently self-isolating ) is nothing to worry about and that 'educational settings' just means that university data is being misinterpreted as applying to school children, surely this data must give pause for thought?

Maybe cramming kids into small classrooms with poor ventilation and no mitigation measures isn't the brightest idea and a rethink is needed before winter really sets in?

www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/02/covid-cases-among-secondary-school-aged-children-rise-in-england

Absolutely! And considering that Oxford study came out in early July - and was all over the news, I'm surprised that people are still clinging on to the "masks are only to protect others" line....

@notevenat20

Thanks for the cloth mask references!

You're welcome

wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/26/10/20-0948_article is not exactly a ringing endorsement of the type of cloth mask we are all wearing.

I thought you might focus on the medical setting of that article and not the recommendation it states for wearing it in the community.

In community settings, however, cloth masks may be used to prevent community spread of infections by sick or asymptomatically infected persons, and the public should be educated about their correct use.

Do you not want to wear a cloth mask-are you against them?

I was thinking

"The filtration effectiveness of cloth masks is generally lower than that of medical masks and respirators; however, cloth masks may provide some protection if well designed and used correctly. Multilayer cloth masks, designed to fit around the face and made of water-resistant fabric with a high number of threads and finer weave, may provide reasonable protection"

I don't have a multilayer cloth mask designed to fit around my face.

@notevenat20

I was thinking

"The filtration effectiveness of cloth masks is generally lower than that of medical masks and respirators; however, cloth masks may provide some protection if well designed and used correctly. Multilayer cloth masks, designed to fit around the face and made of water-resistant fabric with a high number of threads and finer weave, may provide reasonable protection"

I don't have a multilayer cloth mask designed to fit around my face.

Maybe you should have done the research before buying one then? I have made sure I have bought 2 or 3 layer fine cotton and polyester (different layers made of different fabrics apparently are best)masks that fit around the face, with a wire on the nose bridge so my glasses don't steam up.

Useful thread :

twitter.com/DrZoeHyde/status/1312392762445066243

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/every-school-confirmed-covid-cases-19023567
At least 330 schools in Greater Manchester have had cases involving students having to self isolate. It isn't just the odd occasional case here

Do you not want to wear a cloth mask-are you against them?

I don't have any view on masks. I just want to know the science.

I have made sure I have bought 2 or 3 layer fine cotton and polyester (different layers made of different fabrics apparently are best)masks that fit around the face, with a wire on the nose bridge so my glasses don't steam up.

Where from?

Mostly from Etsy - could specify what I wanted. Have quite a few from Mabel and Mu as well, although those are all cotton they have a slot so you can insert your own third layer.

Our cloth masks are multi-layer with filters and quite comfy, they cost £6 for 2 plus ten filters. Extra filters are cheap bought in bulk. Wash each day, reuse the filter for a week if it's just used outside on school run but bin after a shop trip, easy. Some do a tighter fit with double-straps and are more expensive, we have just one each of those for any longer time indoors e.g. hospital.

@notevenat20 - our local Co-op did them, when they ran out and we needed a couple extra I got them on Amazon. Only get stuff marked next few days delivery or it might get delayed and delayed because they don't properly take account of the time to ship from China. You can get some with an open filter slot for very little more money, so you really need the filters included to protect others but they're a bit less hot if you need to wear it for many hours at a time.

Thanks all.

No problems

Just a shame I'm not allowed to wear them in school with my poorly ventilated classrooms of teenagers multiple times a day