We made it work. I don't often agree with airborne, but he isn't wrong on this one. Frequent ventilation worked really well--we just told the kids to put their coats on and suck it up for a few minutes. They did.
You are right that we are in a different world, though. We tested our kids and teachers every day, and mandated FFP2 masks, and all of that plus the required ventilation made for a safe, if cold, environment.
They don't still give grades on handwriting, do they?