Maine CDC - Coronavirus Control/Prevention
February 27, 2020
Dear Parents/Guardians/Colleagues:
As you are likely aware, on Tuesday, February 25th, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) gave a press conference updating the country on the current status of the coronavirus (COVID-19), and what steps should be taken moving forward.
As the CDC stated, there is not currently a coronavirus pandemic in the United States. A pandemic occurs when a disease is spreading from a variety of sources across a large region, and the number of cases across the US is still small. However, given how quickly the global situation is evolving, we are monitoring new developments and will continue to review our steps and actions daily.
In the meantime, the most effective way to stay healthy and minimize the spread of infectious disease is to follow basic health best practices like:
- Washing hands thoroughly with soap and water, or if that is not available, using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and covering your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing.
- Asking all staff and students who are feeling ill to stay home until they recover.
- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth if your hands aren't clean.
Please know that in addition to our custodial staffs’ daily cleaning, an additional level of disinfecting is being done in all of our school buildings and on our buses. We are also thinking ahead regarding the impact spring travel, upcoming school trips, and other non-typical school activities will have in the context of the coronavirus. We will communicate any changes when the time is appropriate.
It is important to remember that handling the spread of a virus like the coronavirus or flu is primarily a task for public health agencies. Any directives from the World Health Organization, CDC, or local governmental organizations should be followed.
To learn more, attached is a copy of a fact sheet in addition to the link below - https://mainedoenews.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/2019Novel-Coronavirus.pdf
If you have any additional questions, please contact your child’s school nurse or building administrator.
Sincerely,
Patricia Hopkins
Superintendent of Schools