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.
1) Personal thoughts is the same as most nurses - Influenza is more of a concern right now and overall, we prevent infection from most sicknesses the same way. Don't touch your mouth, wash your hands ect.
2) We don't have a plan yet but our DON told us she thinks the district may shut down if there are any people infected in our community after Spring break because we are such a small community. Personally, I don't want the schools to shut down because aint nobody got time to make up days in the Summer LOL.
I have a student that their grandparents arrived from China 2 days ago. Not sure how that was allowed. Student has been home with flu symptoms this week (he probably had before g-parents arrived). Should he stay home this week if he doesn’t have fever? Spring break next week, so that will be 15 days self-quarantine.
I want to do a travel survey for students (I feel like parents may not be truthful) "What are you doing for Spring break?" Weed out the stay home and focus on the students that are still going to travel. Possibly check temps when we get back from Spring break. WWSchoolNursesDo?
I have a student that their grandparents arrived from China 2 days ago. Not sure how that was allowed. Student has been home with flu symptoms this week (he probably had before g-parents arrived). Should he stay home this week if he doesn’t have fever? Spring break next week, so that will be 15 days self-quarantine.
I want to do a travel survey for students (I feel like parents may not be truthful) "What are you doing for Spring break?" Weed out the stay home and focus on the students that are still going to travel. Possibly check temps when we get back from Spring break. WWSchoolNursesDo?
Has this student been tested for the Flu? It is still very much making the rounds at my school. I had two new cases this week - one A and the other is confirmed B. And I've seen case with and without fever all throughout this flu season.
Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.
Son taking cyber security class @ Univ. of PENN -- they are planning to go online for remainder semester.
1st positive case in Philadelphia. St. Patrick's Day parade cancelled; conventions being cancelled. Health dept. recommending avoiding events over 5,000 people, including sporting events. Chef son works for Philadelphia Union soccer--first home game this Saturday==17,000 usual attendance.
Ivy league sports cancelled basketball conference tournaments. Guess HS sport events next---tough for kids, especially Seniors.
All area Universities have cancelled on campus activities including classes already. Now it looks like the state of Michigan is the first to suspend K-12 school. I imagine since they broke the mold other states will soon follow suit so I suggest faculty, staff and parents start having a plan in place.
What I haven't heard is exactly how they plan to transition to online schooling only. Plus I haven't heard a thing about how they are planning to compensate all the non-teaching staff that now seem to be out of work for the duration. Not to mention now all working parent families in the state are going to have to make arrangements to have somebody, probably a parent home all the time with the kids.
All area Universities have cancelled on campus activities including classes already. Now it looks like the state of Michigan is the first to suspend K-12 school. I imagine since they broke the mold other states will soon follow suit so I suggest faculty, staff and parents start having a plan in place.
Update: 5 (FIVE!) cases popped up in my county last night. At least 1 of those the result of community spread, not travel. The health department issued a 'disaster declaration.' School districts still open today! I realize it's a big inconvenience to parents to close schools, but I deeply feel it's the most prudent action to containing this before it gets bad (worse). I suspect we'll at least have Spring break extended past next week.
My state, WI also announced K-12 school is closing yesterday. The announcement wasn't very detailed and I haven't looked it up to read the formal statement yet but I haven't heard much of a plan other than the actual closing.
They are sending students home with their laptops and homework I do know. What I don't know is how they communicating coursework to students at home beyond just sending home their homework. I don't think they know yet. I also don't think they know how long the closure is going to go on. At least they have the already scheduled Spring break period to figure out some more details.
I haven't heard of any state announcing yet how these closures will affect administrative, nursing and ancillary staff. There are a lot of people employed by school districts beyond teachers. Are they paying the bus drivers and cafeteria workers to stay home?
Avill, BSN, RN
2 Articles; 384 Posts
1) Personal thoughts is the same as most nurses - Influenza is more of a concern right now and overall, we prevent infection from most sicknesses the same way. Don't touch your mouth, wash your hands ect.
2) We don't have a plan yet but our DON told us she thinks the district may shut down if there are any people infected in our community after Spring break because we are such a small community. Personally, I don't want the schools to shut down because aint nobody got time to make up days in the Summer LOL.