Paoli PPE Maker Says Unvaccinated Teachers Can Work Safely

PAOLI, PA — Paoli-based Fusion PPE has been responsive in the coronavirus pandemic, with a handy pressure-activate hand sanitizing device it sold to the NFL last year, and a variety of other COVID-19 personal protective equipment.

Fusion Founder and President Mark Rubino said Fusion PPE has been working to provide PPE to the Pennsylvania Area Independent School Business Officers Association (PAISBOA) consortium.

Now, Fusion PPE sees another need arising in the unfolding pandemic."Our Nation is faced with yet another growing concern regarding COVID-19 as teacher unions gather to vote against in-person learning," said Rubino this week.

The debate follows a recent White House briefing at which the CDC's Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky shared "vaccinations of teachers is not a prerequisite for safely reopening schools," Rubino added.

The Center for Disease Control is expected to release complete updated guidance on school pandemic safety soon. The statement that it can be safe to open schools, with mitigation in place even before teachers are fully vaccinated, is based on research published in January by the Journal of American Medicine (JAMA).

"We are committed to supporting the safety of public and private schools along with colleges and universities. Given the CDC's newest recommendation that schools reopen immediately, we offer pricing academic institutions can afford to keep their air clean, classrooms sanitized, mask needs in full supply, and COVID-19 testing available in a timely and reliable manner," he said.

Rubino said the products and services needed to open schools should be available to everyone.

"These services should not be privileges, they should be mandates, and we are here to help," said Rubino.

"We have been working with the Philadelphia Area Independent School Business Officers Association (PAISBOA) since summer 2020 to help prepare schools with the most critical PPE required in the classroom. Our guidance on the technology and products needed to limit COVID-19 has helped keep grades K-12 positivity rates under 1 percent even in areas with high percentages of cases," said Rubino.

Teachers union members are not as enthusiastic. In Pennsylvania, the PSEA has expressed deep concern about teacher safety. Pennsylvania State Education Association President Rick Askey told WITF that teachers are concerned that schools are not always closely following mitigation guidance.

But Fusion PPE is focused on following those mitigation efforts to control the spread of COVID-19 in the classroom. Rubino said Fusion PPE is here with the most critical PPE for schools, including surveillance pool and antigen testing; BYD level 2 single-use surgical masks; a variety of N95 respirators, KN95 masks, civil disposable masks; alcohol wipes; antibacterial wipes; hand pump sanitizer; face shields, hand sanitizing stations, air purifiers, and other products.

Fusion PPE is a division of Fusion Healthcare Solutions, LLC, an established surgical and healthcare supplier since 2009.