Ventilation

A WNYC/Gothamist investigation discovered that the Department of Education got those devices for a bargain after the supplier lobbied the city.

While engineers have called windows a less reliable source of ventilation because they depend on fickle weather conditions, city officials argue they are not only adequate but sometimes more effective than an HVAC system.

Department of Education surveys say these classrooms rely exclusively on functioning windows—a lower standard than what would be expected to prevent airborne transmission of the coronavirus indoors.

New York City's Department of Education is reporting the majority of its classrooms’ ventilation systems are working as designed. But that leaves hundreds of classrooms and whole buildings still under repair.

It’s a good idea in some situations, such as indoors. But a cloth mask with a filter works just as well.

One Queens teacher realized he had to bring an umbrella to his classroom to make sure his computer was protected from rain.

Researchers with the Environmental Protection Agency will work with the MTA to test the technology and determine its effectiveness.

"You have to bring in enough fresh air and you have to change it rapidly enough that if you've got a spreader in that room."

"Restrooms are a high-risk space for disease transmission," and the public school restrooms are not adequately ventilated.

A handful of buildings need better airflow—which has emerged as a major flashpoint in union negotiations—and the city is asking staff there to stay home until the ventilation problems can be fixed.

"I think it's further evidence that the city is not prepared to physically reopen school buildings by September 10th."

A report will be compiled and sent to the city DOE breaking down the status of each classroom in school buildings.