Coronavirus and Schools

Specialties School

Updated:   Published

Looking for opinions here!

I personally (and professionally, I suppose) have taken a very relaxed approach to the current situation. That's not to say that I haven't been reading a few articles about it here and there, but, I also haven't felt the need to shut my family and myself away in our house to avoid contact with the general public either.

I bring this up today because yesterday I not only had a teacher approach me asking me what our plan was should we need to close but the school district my charter is in also posted something to their facebook page stating they had a procedure ready to go should it come to that. It just struck me as odd that, up until yesterday afternoon, concern for this virus had not been introduced to my immediate world.

I'm curious to know:

1)what your personal thoughts are on this virus and

2) if your school has implemented any kind of potential procedure/policy should it come to an immediate concern for communities in the US.

Specializes in Telemetry, Gastroenterology, School Nrs.
On 2/26/2020 at 11:33 AM, MrNurse(x2) said:

There are 14 cases in the US, Influenza is much more a concern. Keep calm and nurse on.

My thoughts exactly!

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Specializes in School nursing.

While it isn't influenza, I am still much more concerned about influenza.

My school has out nightly cleaning crew now wiping down desks nightly (after doing a deep clean during our recent break) - believe it or not this wasn't a thing the cleaning crew did and we relied on students and staff to do it...

Also, they just sent out a notice to families - without even telling or talking to me. Which ugh, but I will say it was at least very accurate using the info provided by our state and city's public health department.

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Commenting to update that I got a department-wide email yesterday regarding coronovirus. The district is sending home parent information letters today and gave campus RNs an international screening form to use on students with applicable symptoms (which are similar to flu & cold symptoms which I'm seeing every day!)

I'm watching everyday how this thing is spreading across the globe and now, America. I don't think we're quite at the point of needing to hoard supplies like I've seen happening in some cities, but this is getting insidious.

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Specializes in School Nursing; Nursing Education.
On ‎3‎/‎2‎/‎2020 at 7:42 AM, lifelearningrn said:

The Plague by Albert Camus (this was written in the 1940s and was assigned as extra credit by my Microbiology professor. It's what kicked off my fascination with epidemics and pandemics).

The Jakarta Pandemic by Steve Konkoly (This is his first novel, and kicks off a series of novels in that world. He's currently on of my favorite authors.)

The China Pandemic by A.R. Shaw (also kicked off a series)

Cyberstorm by Matthew Mather (this one has perfect storm of events, but includes the spread of a deadly influenza).

Thank you for sharing!

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Specializes in School Nurse.

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I'd like to make an epidemiological map for my office that shows the US cases of coronavirus (the type with pins in a paper map - super simple). I've had trouble finding a good source with chronological cases - any suggestions?

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On 2/26/2020 at 10:48 AM, MrNurse(x2) said:

The media does this garbage, makes a mountain out of an ant hill.

This! I was watching the news the other day and one story completely contraindicated the next. Not that I haven't been keeping an eye on it, but drama sells and boy are (inappropriate) masks and cleaning products FLYING off the shelf.

I'm not getting too worked up over it. I remember being much more paranoid about H1N1, mainly because I was still in the hospital at the time and my kids attended the onsite daycare. Until I see more cases in my immediate area (none in my county, but there are positives within a 50 mile radius), I will carry on using standard precautions and educating.

If it does become more of an immediate threat to my area, then I'll take guidance from our county health department.

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5 minutes ago, jnemartin said:

I'd like to make an epidemiological map for my office that shows the US cases of coronavirus (the type with pins in a paper map - super simple). I've had trouble finding a good source with chronological cases - any suggestions?

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

Would this help? This was shared with me a few days ago. I'm not sure who is running it and adding the data, but it may at least get you some info.

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11 minutes ago, ihavealltheice said:

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

Would this help? This was shared with me a few days ago. I'm not sure who is running it and adding the data, but it may at least get you some info.

I like the chart with all the cases by country, maybe I'll just do it like that. I was only going to track the US, state-by-state. That's the trouble - finding a chronological list of the cases with specific location.

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Specializes in School Nurse.
2 hours ago, ihavealltheice said:

This! I was watching the news the other day and one story completely contraindicated the next. Not that I haven't been keeping an eye on it, but drama sells and boy are (inappropriate) masks and cleaning products FLYING off the shelf.

I'm not getting too worked up over it. I remember being much more paranoid about H1N1, mainly because I was still in the hospital at the time and my kids attended the onsite daycare. Until I see more cases in my immediate area (none in my county, but there are positives within a 50 mile radius), I will carry on using standard precautions and educating.

If it does become more of an immediate threat to my area, then I'll take guidance from our county health department.

After 9/11 hospital wanted those that had been vaccinated with small pox in the 60's to get a booster - in case THAT happened.

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Specializes in kids.
20 hours ago, jnemartin said:

I'd like to make an epidemiological map for my office that shows the US cases of coronavirus (the type with pins in a paper map - super simple). I've had trouble finding a good source with chronological cases - any suggestions?

Try the CDC or your state health department

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Specializes in School Nurse.

https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6

This one is really interesting to watch update.

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