Baldwin Co. Schools Will Try Thermal Cameras to Track COVID-19

Across the United States, the debate of sending children back to school or keeping them home to learn virtually for the upcoming school semester due to the coronavirus pandemic is heating up.  The conversation among my Facebook family and friends seems split down the middle, some for and some against going back to school.  The American Academy of Pediatrics issued some guidance on how to keep school safe when reopening, “clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces, wash hands, desks 3-6 feet apart, fewer students and staff in the classroom, teachers move classrooms – not students, lunches at desks, use outdoor spaces when possible, masks for all adults & older students, and flexibility to go virtual if virus surges.”  I believe this is pretty good advice not only for schools but for businesses, stores, and just in general life as well.

The Baldwin County school system will employ another tactic that will be used to help kids be safe during school in Alabama, which is the use of thermal cameras.  According to WPMI, “thermal cameras are designed to track temperatures and the use of face coverings at rate of 30 people per second. Large corporations like meat processing plants and Las Vegas casinos are using them.” All I can say is WOW!  This technology is truly mind-blowing.  However, it is not cheap.  WPMI noted that “each thermal camera ranges in cost between $8,000 and $9,000. That's just over $1 million total, paid for by a state grant. The school district says staying ahead of the virus and being proactive outweighs the price.”

(Source) For more from the American Academy of Pediatrics, click here.  For the full story from WMPI, click here. 

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