"Six air changes per hour and HEPA grade filtration of indoor air for our children is an investment in their futures for long beyond when the COVID-19 pandemic fades from view. We know there is poor indoor air quality in multiple schools, from inadequate ventilation to air pollution to wildfire smoke. Kids learn better and have less absenteeism in healthy air. COVID-19 has just added fuel to that fire. Let this be a torch to light our way forward to healthy indoor air- starting right now.

Most importantly, we need to make sure this opportunity is available to all children, particularly those who have often been left behind in this pandemic. Heartbreakingly, there are kids who never logged on last year or showed up to school, and may have families afraid to send them this year. There are federal funds available from the COVID-19 relief bills to ensure that we can provide this assistance even to already financially-distressed schools. Nothing will ever make our children completely safe, which is the persistent ache of being a parent. However, they deserve a school year in person if possible, and we as the adults in their lives, should do our best to make sure they get it.

Don’t buy your kids’ teachers apples this year. Get them some HEPA filters."

Erika Maria Moseson is a pulmonary and critical care physician.

She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "Clearing the air our kids share: a prescription for healthy schools."

Reflect and earn 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 CME for this episode.