We Need to Clear the Air in Our Schools. Literally.

The COVID-19 pandemic illuminated many of the health and safety challenges of our nation’s education infrastructure — most notably, the antiquated heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in dire need of an upgrade. To address this issue head on, the federal government provided billions of dollars in COVID relief money to school districts across the nation — a decision celebrated by parents, administrators, and the public writ large.

However, a recent CDC study found that despite significant resources to prioritize indoor air quality, fewer than 40 percent of schools have replaced or upgraded their HVAC systems since the start of the pandemic. Even fewer are using high-efficiency particulate air, or HEPA, filters in classrooms or fans to increase the effectiveness of having windows open.