---
title: "The Tripledemic: How to prepare and prevent infection in 2023"
description: The term “tripledemic” recently became part of our vocabulary. Why? Because the winter of 2023 is anticipated to bring a triple threat to public health with the confluence of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Influenza (flu), and Covid-19. Here are our recommendations on how schools can prepare in 2023 amidst all this.
---

[Blog — School Safety — Joffe Emergency Services ](https://www.joffeemergencyservices.com/blog/school-safety)

# [The Tripledemic: How to prepare and prevent infection in 2023](https://www.joffeemergencyservices.com/blog/school-safety/the-tripledemic-how-to-prepare-and-prevent-infection-in-2023)

 Written by [The Joffe Family](https://www.joffeemergencyservices.com/blog/school-safety/author/the-joffe-family) | December 1, 2022

The term “tripledemic” recently became part of our vocabulary. Why? Because the winter of 2023 is [anticipated to bring a triple threat](https://youtu.be/XSC-4v7OIZY) to public health with the confluence of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Influenza (flu), and Covid-19. 

[Data](https://www.cdc.gov/flu/spotlights/2022-2023/early-flu-activity.htm) suggests that the U.S. is in for a worse than average flu season, with more people getting sick than we have seen in past years. At the same time, high levels of RSV in children are [already overwhelming hospitals](https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/11/20/hospital-capacity-rsv-flu-covid/) across the country, while the possibility of new COVID variants loom. 

## How can schools be prepared to come back to school in 2023 amidst all this?

Here are our recommendations:

#### Maintain the health practices and protocols you’ve used to keep students and staff safe during Covid, such as:

- Washing hands regularly, 
- Sanitizing classroom materials, 
- Asking students and staff with symptoms to stay home, etc. 

#### Plan to mask when transmission is high

- Universal [masking](https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2022/01/22/schools-covid-masks/?itid=lk_inline_manual_12) was helpful last year when the levels of virus transmission were highest. If your school has moved away from universal masking, consider reinstating it once transmission reaches a high threshold in your community. 
- Update your policies now to ensure you’re ready if and when  they’re needed.

#### Encourage vaccination for both Covid and the flu to reduce the number of students and staff impacted by each virus.

- Partner with local pharmacies or health departments to offer on-campus vax clinics. (The [new bivalent boosters](https://youtu.be/VzGlnId7UTE) are recommended.)

#### Order PPE

- Order extra PPE so you’re not scrambling to get it once the school year resumes
- Ensure your school’s health office infrastructure is intact to meet the needs of sick students and staff. 

#### Update your communication templates

- Ensure you have key templates ready for families, students and staff. 
- Confirm contact information when students return to school to ensure all databases are up to date

#### Think through testing policies for after winter break now

- Communicate the policies with families and staff before the break
- Order tests as needed

While we don’t know what the outcome of the tripledemic will be, we know there are several things we can do as a school community to support ongoing health and wellness. Consider these small steps now, as they could have a big payoff later.

[View full post](https://www.joffeemergencyservices.com/blog/school-safety/the-tripledemic-how-to-prepare-and-prevent-infection-in-2023)

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