Ever since schools broke up for Christmas less than a month ago, there’s been a number of debates raging. From how safe schools are, whether youngsters should get the vaccine and how best to control the virus. And while January is now upon us, many parents and teachers are non the wiser to how they feel. And that’s without taking the children into account too. One constant throughout the whole pandemic has been the advice that ventilation can be an important factor for COVID safety.
Our parent company, PHS Group, have recently conducted a Whitepaper on the effectiveness of air purification. It also states how air purification can improve the safety of all those inside schools – namely teachers and pupils.
Teachers have no doubt been some of the unsung heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic. Having been flexible over the last 22 months, they are currently grappling with staff shortages, unwell children, and their own health concerns too. This PHS Air Purification paper shines a light on how school stakeholders feel about current Government guidelines, and puts pressure on Government to provide schools with air purification. This can help guide them through what is likely to be a difficult month or two for the entire country.
Key Findings – Ventilation Would be Fairer for Winter
it’s easy to simply suggest that ventilation systems would be a better way to protect children than opening windows. Yet the figures from the PHS Group Whitepaper go as far as to say that many teachers feel that the current guidance isn’t working. If this will not work moving forward, there needs to be a change of approach.
One of the big figures of the paper is that 53% of teachers believe there are more staff off today more than ever before. With the additional weight of the pressure of the last few years, and school closures at the start of the pandemic, the disruption of learning is already too high. That is before you take into account the health of teachers and pupils.
Another alarming statistic is that only 35% of teachers spoken to for this whitepaper claim to understand the Government’s Open Window Guidance. That is concerning for a number of reasons. Firstly, it shows that regardless of the severity of the disease, the Government’s own guidance is no longer being communicated correctly. Secondly, it means that children and staff are actually at risk because of this communication.
Health is of course the main priority. Yet finding a happy medium during winter is needed. Nearly 30% of parents say that they feel their child would be unable to concentrate with the current guidance around opening windows. Something needs else needs to be done. Providing air ventilation systems to schools can seriously help reduce infection chances and help the country get back on track.
How can vent systems help against COVID?
The PHS ventilation systems work to purify the air, and work against 99.9% of airborne COVID diseases.
For a more detailed explanation, the below video is a great place to start!
Aeramax® Professional Range by phs (Smoke Test)
Whether you are a school or any other establishment, air ventilation systems can help reduce your risk of COVID. Contact us now for more details.
