Special subject teachers need more support to mitigate respiratory viral spread in schools: insights from interviews during COVID-19.

This commentary describes the real-world challenges special subject teachers faced while implementing coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) mitigation strategies recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Kindergarten- 5th grade classrooms in a school district in Pima Count...

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Publicado en:Annals of Work Exposures & Health Vol. 70; no. 4; pp. 1 - 5
Autores principales: Amoh-Asante, Nana Adwoa Akuffo, Lowe, Ashley A, Wilson, Amanda M
Formato: Journal Article
Publicado: Oxford University Press / USA Jun2026
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      dt: Jun2026
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      pub: Oxford University Press / USA
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        atl: Special subject teachers need more support to mitigate respiratory viral spread in schools: insights from interviews during COVID-19.
      aug:
        au:
          Amoh-Asante, Nana Adwoa Akuffo
          Lowe, Ashley A
          Wilson, Amanda M
        affil: Department of Community, Environment & Policy, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, 1295 N. Martin Ave. A233, Tucson, AZ 85724, United States
      sug:
        subj:
          Education, Special
          Teachers
          Pneumonia, Viral Prevention and Control
          School Health Services
          COVID-19 Prevention and Control
          Learning Environment
          Practice Guidelines
          Arizona
          Schools
          Physical Education and Training
          English as a Second Language
          Masks
          Interviews
          Sterilization and Disinfection
          Communication Barriers
          Stress, Occupational
          Infection Control
          Occupational Exposure Prevention and Control
          Disinfectants Adverse Effects
          Education, Non-Traditional
          Stress, Psychological
      ab: This commentary describes the real-world challenges special subject teachers faced while implementing coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) mitigation strategies recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Kindergarten- 5th grade classrooms in a school district in Pima County, Arizona, during the 2021 to 2022 academic year and argues for better support for special subject teachers. While teachers in all classroom types experienced challenges, special subject teachers (eg, special education, physical education, and English as a Second Language [ESL]) faced additional barriers to implementing recommended CDC COVID-19 guidelines. In special education classrooms, the constant need for close physical assistance made social distancing from students impossible. Additionally, mask mandates posed choking and saliva-related safety concerns for students, making it difficult for teachers to enforce the mandate. For ESL teachers, implementing the mask mandate meant losing out on using visemes and visual cues, which are an integral part of ESL instruction. In physical education, rigorous disinfection routines between students led to the rapid degradation of gym equipment and heightened concerns about chemical exposure. We reflect on the challenges and modifications these teachers faced, highlighting classroom-specific examples and illustrative quotes from key informant interviews. Future policies and guidance that better support the health of teachers and effective infection control across various classroom environments will benefit from educator collaboration and input.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype: Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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