Increasing infection protection in Jena schools and daycare centers
Thanks to broad political and administrative commitment and the successful acquisition of private funding by the Nanotechnology Foundation, around 1,000 particularly vulnerable children have already been protected and 52 indoor air purification devices have been procured for the facilities since the Indoor Air Working Group began its work. A further 50 devices are currently being procured in a public tendering process and are expected to be available at the start of the new school year.
Wolfgang Volkmer (Greens) chaired the working group and draws a positive initial conclusion: "The working group has quickly and unbureaucratically brought civic involvement together with the administration and politicians. By the fall, around 2,000 particularly vulnerable children in around 100 rooms in our Jena kindergartens and schools can be better protected with the air purification devices."
The Indoor Air Working Group would like to express its special thanks to City Councillor Prof. Dr. Schubert and all of the city's co-financing citizens and companies, whose financial commitment has made the purchase of the first devices possible.
Lord Mayor Dr. Thomas Nitzsche says: "Schools and daycare centers should be safe places for children and young people to learn and meet. With private initiatives and the support of the administration, we have been able to successfully contribute to this. We have made a start. Now, however, the federal and state governments must step up with the urgently needed funding programs and financial resources so that infection control can succeed across the board."
Results of the working group in detail
In close coordination with Department 4, the working group initially drew up a list of priorities based on medical criteria (children with special disabilities) and the specific space situation at nurseries and schools.
By the end of June 2021, 52 high-quality air purifiers had been financed by private donations and distributed to nurseries and schools in cooperation with the Nanotechnology Foundation. All non-earmarked donations were used to purchase and distribute devices according to the priority list. The private commitment was supported by a user agreement for the maintenance and care of the devices by the Eigenbetrieb Kommunale Immobilien Jena (KIJ), which enables legally compliant operation in kindergartens and schools.
At the same time, the funding situation was explored and the tender for the purchase of 50 devices was prepared in accordance with the school construction funding provided by the Free State of Thuringia. Depending on the formal process as part of a public tender, it is assumed that a bidder can be commissioned as early as July so that - subject to the delivery dates - all the equipment put out to tender will be available at the start of the new school year and can be distributed to their respective locations according to the priority list.
What happens next? Outlook
The Indoor Air Working Group will continue to exist in order to be able to react quickly to the current unstable developments.
The members of the Indoor Air Working Group agree that air quality in nurseries and schools must become more important. Various components play a role here:
- the reduction of the viral load and the removal of other pathogens
- the reduction of fine dust and pollen pollution
- the constant supply of oxygen-rich fresh air
- heat protection in summer
Mobile air purifiers only fulfill one requirement, require space and cause additional noise emissions in the classroom.
They should therefore be seen as a flexible but temporary solution. Sustainable central ventilation systems with heat recovery and cooling options are more suitable. This is particularly important in terms of the city's self-declared climate targets.
The market for devices - which are also developed and produced in Jena - is growing. Model projects are currently being carried out and evaluated at kindergartens. The results of the KIJ-funded study "Climate adaptation in nurseries and schools" can help to identify particularly necessary investments.
In order to implement this goal, a plan of action is being discussed in the KIJ works committee and will be presented by the end of 2021. New funding opportunities - such as those promised by the federal government - are to be included in this strategy.
You can find the report here:
https://sessionnet.jena.de/sessionnet/buergerinfo/vo0050.php?__kvonr=11058&voselect=11862