Lancet COVID-19 Commission Task Force on Safe Work, Safe School and Safe Travel

Key Findings:

1. Current ventilation targets are too low
2. Getting buildings off current minimums would lead to big gains
3. General coalescence around targets, across metrics and experts
4. Important to move conversation forward
5. There is urgency

Key Findings:

1. Commission or Recommission Building Systems
2. Maximize Outdoor Air
3. Upgrade Air Filters to Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) 13
4. Supplement With Portable Air Cleaners, Where Needed

Key Findings:

1. Buildings play a critical role in the transmission of airborne infectious diseases
2. Schools are chronically under ventilated
3. Health co-benefits go beyond disease transmission
4. Healthy school building interventions for airborne infectious disease must be evidence-based
5. Ventilation and air cleaning enhancements can allow safe reopening and provide long-term value

Key Findings:

Investigations of COVID-19 case clusters repeatedly fail to assess the role of building ventilation systems in disease transmission.

In this report, the task force provides three examples of cluster investigations to illustrate the shortcomings and potential implications of failing to collect this information.

Priority Areas:

1. Evaluate Exposures and Reduce Infection Risks Using the ‘Anticipate, Recognize, Evaluate, Control, and Confirm’ Framework.
2. Layer Defenses with the Hierarchy of Controls Framework.
3. Increase Protections for Workers in Essential Industries.
4. Prioritize Keeping Schools Open.
5. Close and Reopen Businesses Strategically.
6. Minimize Risk of Spread Through Air Travel.