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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | June 25, 2020 07:58 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Michele Brooks |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | COVID-19 - Ventilation Systems in Long-Term Care Facilities |
| COVID-19 has had devastating impacts on our long-term care communities and families. The initial precautions taken in these settings were mostly limited to social distancing, surface cleaning and disinfection, handwashing and other strategies to promote good hygiene. However, preliminary studies indicate that aerosol transmission of the virus is possible, with the virus shown to remain viable for multiple hours. There is also evidence that closed environments with minimal ventilation can contribute to higher numbers of secondary infections. As a result, several professional sources, including the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) (referenced in the May 6, 2020 updated guidance released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), and the Federation of European Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Associations (REHVA), have issued recommendations for building operations in an effort to limit and prevent this type of transmission route. These suggestions include eliminating recirculation, disabling demand-controlled ventilation, increasing outdoor ventilation, improving air filtration, running systems 24 hours a day, using portable air cleaners, and even the considering the use of ultraviolet light. While research continues into the role of recirculated air and aging HVAC systems in COVID-19 transmission in long-term care facilities, we need to be proactive to better protect our loved ones who are living and working in long-term care nursing facilities, personal care homes and assisted living residences. Therefore, I will be introducing legislation that will provide $3 million from CARES Act funds to establish a grant program to support long-term facilities with any HVAC updates they may require. I hope you will join me in supporting this legislation. This is a one-time investment that could be one of the many tools we utilize to combat the virus and, ultimately, save lives. |
Introduced as SB1317