Rural schools look to new tech in fight against COVID

RAVENNA, Neb. (KHGI) — From masking to keeping a six-foot distance, Nebraska schools have been taking steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

In addition to upping their hand sanitizer quota, schools in the Ravenna Public School District are also adding new air filtration technology called needlepoint bipolar ionization.

“It creates a charge on those ions that those things you don’t want in the air coagulate and clump and HVAC system traps it like it does with dirt, dust, other allergens,” said Superintendent Ken Schroeder.

According to research published by the National Institutes of Health, ionization is effective in filtering out the influenza virus. While the manufacturers say testing by Northwestern finds it will also be effective against COVID-19.

Shroeder said the ionization systems for their buildings cost $40,000 but was completely covered by a CARES Act grant.

He said along with masking, sanitizing, and social distancing, these air filtration systems do make a difference.

“They’re having an impact on our seasonal illness as well and our attendance is better even with quarantines we’re enduring as pandemic compared to past years,” Shroeder said.

Several other rural schools and hospitals are looking to invest in the technology in the days to come.