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 School Nurse.
13 minutes ago, NurseMom1972 said:

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

This one is really interesting to watch update.

Love this!

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

The media is so reckless with this. The hospital I work at had 2000 isolation gowns "disappear", we had none for the weekend (not that I mind, EBP says gowns have no impact on contamination) and had to do without. Sure we will see them on eBay for $10 each.

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Did you see the cool website that a HS junior created?

https://ncov2019.live/about

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Specializes in Med-surg, school nursing..

We had ONE case in our state and that county shut down schools for a week. What good is that going to do?!

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

CDC: Handwashing Resources

includes

  • Fact Sheets
  • Podcasts
  • Posters
  • Stickers
  • Videos

https://www.cdc.gov/about/speakers/handwashing.html

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Pediatric outpatient Cardiologist came up positive, hospitalized -- treated 13 children last week resulting in several school closures tomorrow.. Karen

New coronavirus cases in Pa. and New Jersey lead to school closures for more than 30,000 students

Quote

Three new coronavirus cases in Pennsylvania and 11 in New Jersey were identified on Monday. In the Philadelphia region, schools announced temporary closures that will affect tens of thousands of students, parents, and staff members.

https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-new-cases-pennsylvania-new-jersey-schools-close-chop-20200309.html

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Specializes in School nursing.

And a few colleges are switching to online classes only and making all students vacate campus.

I'm hoping they are planning on refunding part of the housing cost already paid to the school.

Personally, in my city closing the schools would have a huge impact. We have some many lower income families without daily child care (and time off from work, another issue) and kids would be home alone or roaming the city via at least inside one building somewhat contained. Also school is where some of these food insecure kids get guaranteed meals.

I want more focus on just keeping your child home from school when they are sick, not when they are healthy.

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Specializes in School Nurse.
1 hour ago, JenTheSchoolRN said:

And a few colleges are switching to online classes only and making all students vacate campus.

I'm hoping they are planning on refunding part of the housing cost already paid to the school.

Personally, in my city closing the schools would have a huge impact. We have some many lower income families without daily child care (and time off from work, another issue) and kids would be home alone or roaming the city via at least inside one building somewhat contained. Also school is where some of these food insecure kids get guaranteed meals.

I want more focus on just keeping your child home from school when they are sick, not when they are healthy.

I completely agree. Especially with the data about age range this is affecting.

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Specializes in School nursing.
43 minutes ago, tining said:

I completely agree. Especially with the data about age range this is affecting.

That as well! The number of cases for children and younger folks is so low comparatively - and percentage wise 0.2% of children and teens infected have died, which is less than this season's flu. (Which I am still seeing in students regularly.)

Another college campus just miles from my school decided to shut down and move to online classes for the remainder of the semester.

Further update: update from my big admin that remote learning is NOT an option for my district because it does not meet SPED criteria. So we can't do it. But I will say, we have no current plans to close and even if we suspect possible exposure, plan is to only close for a day or two for cleaning or if our attendance is so greatly affect we can't teach effectively (which it is far from right now).

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On 3/4/2020 at 10:15 AM, tining said:

Love this!

I have been watching this site for days now. Every time I refresh the page, it jumps up. Very interesting...

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3 hours ago, JenTheSchoolRN said:

Personally, in my city closing the schools would have a huge impact. We have some many lower income families without daily child care (and time off from work, another issue) and kids would be home alone or roaming the city via at least inside one building somewhat contained. Also school is where some of these food insecure kids get guaranteed meals.

I want more focus on just keeping your child home from school when they are sick, not when they are healthy.

This is so true in my city too! I'm in Chicago and even the Chicago Teacher's strike earlier this school year threw a lot of families for a loop. My lovely neighbor across the street was watching 12 children. I believe 2 were her grandchildren and the other 10 I'm assuming were family members or friends. At least then it was warm and the kids were playing outside all day. Now it's cold and rainy. I can't imagine what parents will do if they're supposed to be quarantining too. CPS also provides breakfast and lunch for all students. During the strike this was still provided at some locations around the city. I imagine that won't be true for illness related closings.

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