The Clinton County School Safety Commission, which comprises the four Clinton County school systems, issued a letter Thursday following a meeting to discuss the coronavirus. The following is that letter.
The four Clinton County school systems met to prepare for dealing with the COVID-19 virus as it may impact our local school corporations. Clinton County Department of Health officials, Dr. Stephen Tharp, Health Officer, and Rodney Wann, Administrator/Environmentalist, discussed the outbreak of the COVID-19 illness seen throughout the world. Our focus continues to be the wellbeing of students and staff who provide services daily.
Currently, no cases have been reported of any COVID-19 illness in any of the Clinton County Schools. Therefore, all four school districts in Clinton County will continue to be open for business. We are in constant contact with health officials, and all are focused on a reasonable, proactive approach to managing this issue. This letter provides general information and prevention recommendations to raise awareness of COVID-19 and everyday actions everyone can take to prevent the spread of illness
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their mouth, nose, or
possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the primary way the virus spreads.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyday preventive measures to control the spread of COVID-19. These include:
• Staying home when sick and avoiding close contact with sick people. Do not return to school until your child is 24 hours symptom-free. Symptoms are “flu-like” and include fever, headache, muscle aches and pains, sore throat, and cough. Children may also have earaches, nausea, and vomiting.
• Frequent, proper handwashing using soap and water for at least 20 seconds or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoiding touching your mouth, nose, or eyes with unwashed hands.
• Practicing respiratory etiquette (e.g., covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or upper sleeve).
• Routinely cleaning and disinfecting frequently-touched surfaces using usual cleaning/disinfection products according to the product label.
It is our goal to provide educational continuity for our students, even if a case of COVID-19 is identified in our school communities. The school corporations will continue to follow all guidelines provided to us by our local, state, and federal health officials.
Sincerely,
Allen Remaly, Clinton Central
Amanda Whitlock , Clinton Prairie
Don DeWeese, Community Schools of Frankfort
Jim Hanna, Rossville Schools