school closure for swine flu guidelines

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Specializes in cardiac, ortho, med surg, oncology.

"Federal health officials, releasing guidelines Friday, suggested that closure of schools this fall be rare. "There are measures we can take to protect the students, protect the staff, and to allow learning to continue," said Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A key change in the new guidance is that people with H1N1 should stay out of school for 24 hours after their fever is gone, regardless of whether they are taking medication such as Tamiflu. Before, the recommendation was seven days, Frieden said."

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/08/07/swine.flu.h1n1.schools/index.html

I must admit I am surprised and disappointed

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Specializes in Too many to list.

We are going to be disappointed about a lot of things this fall apparently. They tell us to expect a surge of cases, and then they start whittling away at the mitigation strategies and PPE that are costly. I suspect that parents will be the ones deciding whether or not schools will close when kids start getting sick in fall. Wait for it.

It's going to be difficult for everyone, and very sad for some. I am not looking forward to the cooler weather.

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There is a good chance a lot of high ranking government heads will be rolling when this is all over. They are going to need a lot of luck to avoid a having bunch of very unhappy citizens. Lucky being that the flu shots come in on time.

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This is really stupid in my uneducated opinion! I understand that closing schools costs a lot of money in a roundabout way. It always comes down to money, doesn't it? It's scary because the news keeps reporting that "oh my gosh, we're all going to catch swine flu and die this year" but then the "authorities" are quoted as saying "don't worry about it, just wash your hands and go to school and work as usual." Gah! :banghead:

IMO we should extend the summer vacation for all schools, college too, by a couple of months and see how things play out. We'd at least have a little more time to get a vaccination program in place, hopefully. I know that would mess up the schedule (fall semester would still be going come spring) and parents with little children would have to figure out somewhere to put their kids longer than the usual summer break but surely there'd be a way to do it for something that could be as serious as swine flu.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

I believe that I read the rationale for not closing the schools is that it will not stop contact between the kids. If they close the schools, parents of young kids will use day care and older kids will go to the mall or congregate together in other places. Holding off on opening schools would be a real hassle for the high school seniors who will be starting college or going to the military next summer.

I think we should have a plan in place, but I don't want to panic and put all the kids in cyberschool unless we have a reason to panic. I have been closely reading all the info indigo girl has been giving us all summer about what has been going on in the southern hemisphere (thank you I G) and just don't know what to expect. I just downloaded a 34 page publication from the CDC today on preparing for the flu in schools.

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Specializes in cardiac, ortho, med surg, oncology.
I believe that I read the rationale for not closing the schools is that it will not stop contact between the kids. If they close the schools, parents of young kids will use day care and older kids will go to the mall or congregate together in other places.

Argentina or Chile solved that problem by banning children under 18 in shopping centers when the schools were closed. Forget where I read that though I think it was on a thread in this forum.

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Specializes in School Nursing.
Argentina or Chile solved that problem by banning children under 18 in shopping centers when the schools were closed. Forget where I read that though I think it was on a thread in this forum.

Wow! Didn't read that. Like I said, I'm not sure where I heard that rationale about keeping the schools open. What about the little ones? Many parents can't take off work for extended periods of time-would the day cares be open? I guess if we get hit hard, there will be no easy solution. I'm just thinking that if a parent needs to take off a week with a sick child, then they get ill and need to take off a week for their own illness, this could really be trouble for some families.

I'll be back to school in a couple weeks and I hope the "wash your hands, use good respiratory etiquette" helps. I'm thinking this may be a long winter.

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I agree, keeping schools closed would be a big deal and cause a lot of problems. However, "they" are saying this could be really serious and not even for just one year but maybe two. I'm trying to keep from panicking but whenever I think about the fall, I start to feel nauseated.

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Specializes in RN CRRN.

24 hours? Are they kidding? I suppose that means us HCW will have to work right away too-after 24 hours......ooooohhhhhh this is gonna be bad.....why is it isolate seaonal flu for 7+ days last year, and now....just 24??????????????? WITHOUT a vaccine?

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Specializes in Too many to list.
I agree, keeping schools closed would be a big deal and cause a lot of problems. However, "they" are saying this could be really serious and not even for just one year but maybe two. I'm trying to keep from panicking but whenever I think about the fall, I start to feel nauseated.

While it won't be the end of the world, it will be very busy, and it is likely to last for over a year. There will be respites in between the waves to replenish supplies, and take stock of what needs to be done.

A heightened state of awareness is a good thing if it spurs us to action. Doing things to make your family or your situation better, can be very calming, not to mention practical.

Stock up on supplies of food, kleenex etc as well as OTC meds now for what your family might need should any of you become ill. Have flu buddies among your friends. Those are the people that will fill your scripts and bring you food just as you will do for them if you live alone, and become ill.

We have to take care of each other, and be responsible for ourselves. At least we are forewarned of what is coming, and have some time to make our personal preparations before the surge.

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CDC Updates Guidance for Schools

http://afludiary.blogspot.com/2009/08/cdc-updates-guidance-for-schools.html

CDC Releases Communication Toolkits for Schools

Grades K - 12)

http://afludiary.blogspot.com/2009/08/cdc-releases-communication-toolkits-for.html

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Elementary school closes after dozens call in sick

North Carolina in the summer...

http://www.news14.com/content/local_news/triangle/613030/elementary-school-closes-after-dozens-call-in-sick/Default.aspx

Eric Nickens, with the Alamance County Health Department, says Burlington-Alamance School leaders announced their decision Friday.

Thursday, dozens of children called out sick and about a dozen more were sent home with flu-like symptoms.

The state is no longer testing for H1N1 unless a patient is hospitalized.

Nickens said the state has spent large amounts of money on the tests.

“The common trend of thought is it is best just to go ahead and treat it as possibly H1N1 rather than wasting time and trying to make a definitive diagnosis,” Nickens said.

(hat tip PFI/k from mi)

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