Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Still no air filters in schools?

367 replies

wondersun · 26/08/2022 00:03

Is anyone else really hacked off that there are still no air filters in schools??

The kids don’t spread it / don’t get sick from covid nonsense narrative has been replaced with cases are low due to school holidays (so much nicer when covid knew to wait at the school gates!) but the government are still refusing to do something so simple which could make schools safer.

Its like they don’t want to admit it’s worth avoiding repeat covid infections so therefore have to do nothing to stop/slow the thread and risk inevitable questions.

Even if it just slows it - every covid infection is a roll of long covid etc risks - why do they seem so keen to spread it round asap.

OP posts:
pinklavenders · 29/08/2022 15:19

There is also a cost to not funding these

If you're talking about air purifiers, then the cost of purchasing and installing these in all classrooms would be MUCH greater than the cost of not having them (perhaps a few more covid cases?)

I think most tax payers would be happy with the cost of 'not funding' them.

JanglyBeads · 29/08/2022 15:52

A few more Covid cases.... what if those few include the teacher or TA who has to be off for two months and needs covering at great cost? What if they have long Covid and are permanently disabled? What if a child takes it home to grandma who ends up on a ventilator?

Endlesslypatient82 · 29/08/2022 16:11

JanglyBeads · 29/08/2022 15:52

A few more Covid cases.... what if those few include the teacher or TA who has to be off for two months and needs covering at great cost? What if they have long Covid and are permanently disabled? What if a child takes it home to grandma who ends up on a ventilator?

“What if”

along with “selfish”

Favourite words for some when it comes to covid

pinklavenders · 29/08/2022 16:19

The question we need to ask then is: Are the costs of installing all these air filters (parts and labour costs) higher or lower than their benefits (avoiding of some additional Covid cases including deaths)?

We cannot unfortunately prevent all covid cases and deaths.

toomuchlaundry · 29/08/2022 16:24

Would the filters also mean windows not having to be open and therefore a more pleasant learning environment

toomuchlaundry · 29/08/2022 16:25

I assume other countries have installed them for a reason not just for shits and giggles

Iamnotthe1 · 29/08/2022 16:25

The benefits aren't Covid-specific: filters would improve the air quality generally which would lead to higher levels of respiratory health in children. This would include Covid but be wider as well, including being better for those with allergies and asthma. The overall benefit to be compared against cost is the increase in child attendance, learning time and general health, not just Covid.

pinklavenders · 29/08/2022 16:33

How much electricity does each air filter use?

An important consideration given the rising energy costs!

pinklavenders · 29/08/2022 16:35

I assume other countries have installed them for a reason not just for shits and giggles

Have you got data on which countries have installed them and how many schools actually have them?

JanglyBeads · 29/08/2022 17:40

Germany, mentioned in this article (granted, from a commercial website but the li is are to academic research):
commercialairfiltration.co.uk/blogs/news/air-filtration-in-schools

Some Australian states:
www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-27/air-purifiers-in-schools-do-they-work/100781936

Valencia, Spain

www.camfil.com/en/insights/case-studies/education-department-valencia-protecting-schools

pinklavenders · 29/08/2022 17:52

For some objective information on Germany:

www.news4teachers.de/2022/08/neue-spitze-im-luftfilter-skandal-laender-lassen-knapp-80-prozent-der-bundesmittel-fuer-mobile-luftfilter-in-schulen-verfallen/?amp

Which says that only a tiny number of schools are actually eligible:
"Offiziell gefördert werden Luftfilter nur in solchen Räumen, die nicht gelüftet werden können – die es also in der Regel in Schulen gar nicht gibt»"

And due to rising energy costs schools are advised to turn them off and open the windows instead:

www.news4teachers.de/2022/08/energiekrise-umweltbundesamt-raet-mobile-luftfilter-in-belueftbaren-klassenraeumen-auszuschalten/?amp

JanglyBeads · 29/08/2022 18:04

Translations?

Education press article on staff and pupil absence rates two months ago:

schoolsweek.co.uk/school-attendance-hits-five-month-low-workforce-absence-soars/

pinklavenders · 29/08/2022 18:10

Translations?

I'm sure there's technology out there to help you with this.

I'm simply responding to the suggestion that 'other countries' have installed air filters in schools and Germany being mentioned first!

I suggest you do more research before making such sweeping statements.

JanglyBeads · 29/08/2022 18:35

I'm sure we would all benefit from doing more research.....

pinklavenders · 29/08/2022 20:17

That's Reuters reporting about the study.

Did you read the actual study? Were pupils wearing face masks? We really need more details than a headline.

pinklavenders · 29/08/2022 20:17

Who funded the study? Etc etc

JanglyBeads · 29/08/2022 22:01

Absolutely I agree these points are important. I haven't got time to read further now, but thought someone else (you?) might want to follow it up.

I have in the past read some actual studies, but can't locate them today.

Original poster
wondersun · 29/08/2022 22:22

pinklavenders · 29/08/2022 13:16

Nor funding for heating / hot water .

I doubt the Government will turn off the heating in schools! That IS important.

But air filters in every classroom...?!

So heating on, windows open for ventilation….??

Filters and windows shut more, might actually save money….

But if the plan is to build immunity via our kids I guess they’d still not want them….

OP posts:
Original poster
wondersun · 29/08/2022 22:25

pinklavenders · 29/08/2022 16:19

The question we need to ask then is: Are the costs of installing all these air filters (parts and labour costs) higher or lower than their benefits (avoiding of some additional Covid cases including deaths)?

We cannot unfortunately prevent all covid cases and deaths.

I was reading a post from Cath Noakes today- a ventilation expert on twitter - and she was explaining that they may well pay for themselves (before you even think about health/education impacts).

Its a no brainer unless your pro kids catching covid.

OP posts:
Original poster
wondersun · 29/08/2022 22:27

pinklavenders · 29/08/2022 20:17

That's Reuters reporting about the study.

Did you read the actual study? Were pupils wearing face masks? We really need more details than a headline.

Do you? That’s great! Go and research then. Presumed you already had…. Or do you just wade in without thinking…

OP posts:
JanglyBeads · 29/08/2022 22:53

Yes it would be nice to have some links in English.....

noblegiraffe · 29/08/2022 23:02

The German quote said that air filters should only be used in rooms which can't be ventilated, which is, as a rule, barely ever the case in schools.

It would be nice if that were also the case in English schools. The govt don't want to fund improving ventilation either though.

JanglyBeads · 29/08/2022 23:05

I'm wondering what's happened to the results of the Bradford schools ventilation study actually. There were some kind of interim data or comment, but nothing since that I've seen anywhere! Off to search.

JanglyBeads · 29/08/2022 23:08

Supposed to end inSeptember 2022

www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN46750688