First Whatcom County school announces closure to prepare for coronavirus spread
In response to the spread of new coronavirus across Washington state, Lummi Nation School will be closed Tuesday, March 10, to allow staff members a chance to receive training and for the sanitation of the school.
“While there is no current cause for concern, staff members will spend the day training as well as sanitizing equipment and furniture ensuring a safe and healthy environment for our students, their families and our staff,” the school said in an online statement about the closure Sunday.
The statement said that the Lummi Indian Business Council will provide paid leave for its employees who are forced to stay home with students during the precautionary measure.
The school also asked anyone who believes they were exposed to the virus or are experiencing symptoms, including cough, fever and respiratory issues, to remain home and call Lummi Health Services at 360-383-8251.
Other districts
No other Whatcom County school districts have announced planned closures due to the spread of COVID-19, as there have not been any confirmed coronavirus cases in the county, according to the Whatcom County Health Department.
Each district said either in letters or online posts to students, families and staff that they are continuing to monitor the situation and work closely with the Health Department to determine the best course of action.
“Right now, we’re just staying the course,” Blaine School District Superintendent Dr. Christopher Granger told The Bellingham Herald Monday. “The best place for kids is to have access to school. We’re doing all the planning and preparing we can now so that we’re prepared if the need arises.”
In the Bellingham Public Schools’ most recent online update made Friday, March 6, Superintendent Dr. Greg Baker wrote that the Whatcom County Health Department, Washington State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are not recommending school closures, in part because:
▪ “Closing schools may not be effective because some children may congregate anyway at other locations.
▪ “Many parents, such as healthcare workers, need to be at work. If these critical workers stay home with children it causes significant impacts on the healthcare system and other institutions that are essential for our community to function.
▪ “If schools close, some children might have to stay home with alternative caregivers, such as elders, who are more vulnerable.”
In a letter to students, staff, families and community posted on district website the Friday, March 6, Mount Baker School District Superintendent Mary Sewright said the district used an off day Friday to allow custodial staff extra time to clean without students in the building.
Sewright added that the district office team spent much of the day making contingency plans and monitoring the situation across the state.
Model good hygiene
“I want to thank all of our teachers and staff for their patience and support within and outside of the school district as we have (and continue to) to navigate this challenge,” Meridian School District Superintendent Dr. James Everett wrote in a letter sent to students, family and staff Friday. “The most important thing we can do is work to keep calm and model good hygiene.”
On Friday, Western Washington University announced in a release that it has canceled Winter Commencement, originally scheduled for March 21. Winter graduates will be included in the Spring Commencement ceremony, instead.
The release also said that the school will begin canceling large-scale events for the next three weeks, though the school’s coronavirus information web page does not yet list any other cancellations.
Faculty have not been asked to move classes or exams online, WWU spokesperson Paul Cocke told The Herald Sunday.
“However, WWU faculty do have flexibility in determining how best to complete the remaining week of instruction and provide final exams for this quarter, including via online options and through Canvas, keeping the needs of students in mind as they make those decisions,” Cocke wrote in an email.
Tips for prevention
The Whatcom County Health Department offered the following tips to help prevent COVID-19 at schools on its school resources and recommendation web page:
▪ Staying home when sick.
▪ Frequent handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
▪ Using alcohol-base hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when water and soap are not available.
▪ Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
▪ Following the schools’ cleaning and disinfection programs, emphasizing objects and areas that are frequently touched.
▪ Covering coughs or sneezes with a tissue, throwing the tissue and away and rewashing or resanitizing hands afterward.
▪ Staff and students should receive the flu shot.
▪ Providing supplies to support good hygiene, such as functioning and well-stocked hand washing stations and hand sanitizer.
This story was originally published March 9, 2020 at 10:21 AM.
