Practice Safe Hygiene

Dear Members:
 
Receiving lots of questions about school and the coronavirus so just some things to consider...I'm not an expert, but after talking to CTA and the district, there are some things I can pass along. The district will be following any directives from the CDC and the county Department of Health and Human Services.  The district will not be making it up as we go along.

Practice Safe Hygiene 

1. Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. 
2. Make frequent use of an alcohol based hand sanitizer. 
3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. 
4. Avoid close contact with people (e.g. hugging, hand shaking, kissing, etc.). 
5. Cover your cough/sneeze with a tissue and throw it away immediately. 
6. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces (keyboards, cell phones, desk, etc.). 
7. Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care. Call ahead for advice before visiting your doctor.

• The district has lots of the anti-bacterial soap, so if you’re out, contact your custodian.  Custodians have been directed at the sites to make sure there is soap available in every classroom.  If you don't have a sink, you should have hand sanitizer and/or wipes.

 

• Worst case scenario, if schools close, districts file waivers in emergencies.  Sometimes, the days do not have to be made up and salaries continue to be paid.  After the Paradise fire destroyed all of the elementary schools (but not the high school), thedistrict wanted to stop paying teachers, but the state stepped in at CTA’s urging to make sure the teachers were still being paid.  CTA pushed for students to still attend school electronically, so the state purchased 5,000 devices for students affected by the fire. 

 

• Ultimately, remaining calm and educated is the key.  Even though the coronavirus is twenty times more deadlier than the flu, the vast majority of deaths are people with prior health conditions, the very young, or the elderly.  Frankly, sooner or late, the school district expects Manteca to have a case of coronavirus.