Rabbi Nochem Kaplan, Director of the Merkos Linyonei Chinuch Office, sent out a list of recommendations to prepare, prevent and control the spread of the coronavirus.
March 5th, 2020
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Interim Guidance COVID-19
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed interim guidance that is based on what is currently known about the transmission and severity of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). CDC will update this guidance as needed and as additional information becomes available. Please check the following CDC website periodically for updated interim guidance.
This interim guidance is intended to help administrators of public and private childcare programs and K-12 schools prevent the spread of COVID-19 among students and staff. Administrators are individuals who oversee the daily operations of childcare programs and K-12 schools, and may include positions like childcare program directors, school district superintendents, principals, and assistant principals. This guidance is intended for administrators at both the school/facility and district level.
Plan and Prepare
To prepare for possible community transmission of COVID-19, the most important thing for schools to do now is plan and prepare.
As the global outbreak evolves, schools should prepare for the possibility of community-level outbreaks. Schools want to be ready if COVID-19 does appear in their communities.
Childcare and K-12 school administrators nationwide can take steps to help stop or slow the spread of respiratory infectious diseases, including COVID-19:
Review, update, and implement emergency operations plans (EOPs).
Develop information-sharing systems with partners.
Monitor and plan for absenteeism.
Establish procedures for students and staff who are sick at school.
Perform routine environmental cleaning.
Create communications plans for use with the school community.
Review CDC’s guidance for businesses and employers.
Share Resources
Childcare and K-12 administrators can also support their school community by sharing resources with students (if resources are age-appropriate), their families, and staff. Coordinate with local health officials to determine what type of information might be best to share with the school community. Consider sharing the following fact sheets and information sources:
· Information about COVID-19 available through state and local health departments
· General CDC fact sheets to help staff and students’ families understand COVID-19 and the steps they can take to protect themselves:
o What you need to know about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
o What to do if you are sick with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
o Stop the spread of germs – help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses like COVID-19
· CDC Information on COVID-19 and children
· CDC information for staff, students, and their families who have recently traveled back to the United States from areas where CDC has identified community spread of coronavirus:
o A list of countries where community spread of COVID-19 is occurring can be found on the CDC webpage: Coronavirus Disease 2019 Information for Travel.
Stay Informed and Cautious!
Merkos Linyonei Chinuch Office
Rabbi Nochem Kaplan
