LOCAL CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS: Barnstable school nurses “monitoring” 25 students recently back from Italy… some wondering why we’re just learning about this now…
Here are a couple of regional Coronavirus headlines, both involving students & staff recently returning from school trips, that we knew about long before yesterday’s late breaking news concerning 25 Barnstable High School students being “monitored” after returning from Italy this past Sunday, February 23, 2020:
And yet we now also know, according to yesterday’s article in the Cape Cod Times, “School nurses are monitoring the health of Barnstable High School students who returned from a winter break trip to Italy on Feb. 23, one day before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised Americans to avoid travel to the European country because of the spread of COVID-19.”
School nurses have been checking absenteeism rates of the 25 students but so far “They’ve all been healthy,” the article continues.
The following is an official message addressed to the “Barnstable Public School Community” – initially dated March 2, 2020 – outlining how the school system is dealing with the Coronavirus situation, however it makes no mention of the 25 Barnstable High School students being “monitored,” but rather assures the school community there is a plan in place:
“Dear BPS Community,
The well-being of our students and staff is our top priority. To that end, our district continues to work closely with the Department of Public Health, Cape Cod Health Care, our local Board of Health, and our school physician, Dr. Kathryn Rudman, to monitor and take appropriate precautions for the Novel Coronavirus {COVID-19).
At present, there have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus on Cape Cod. The risk for severe illness due to COVID-19 in Massachusetts and the United States remains relatively low at this time. Nevertheless, we continue to keep a close eye on what is occurring locally, nationally, and internationally to determine our best course of action.
Barnstable Public Schools has joined a newly formed task force led by Cape Cod Health Care experts, and participates in daily updates.
Fortunately, our school district has full-time registered nurses in every school. There are many health measures school nurses and staff already implement to promote the health and safety of our students every day, and to provide valuable precautions.
These include:
Promoting vaccines (including an annual Flu Shot).
Implementing school-wide infection control measures.
Monitoring illness in the school setting (including communicable diseases).
Reporting communicable diseases to the MA Department of Public Health and following their recommendations.
Providing referrals and recommendations to parents/guardians concerning health care.
Evaluating and teaching about when it is appropriate for a student who has been ill to return to school.
Teaching staff and students disease prevention, including good handwashing.
Recommending cleaning protocols for BPS schools and classrooms.
Promoting the extra use of sanitizer products as appropriate, especially during cold/flu season.
In addition to the precautionary measures outlined above, Barnstable Public Schools continues to take steps to prepare for and limit exposure to COVID-19.
We are actively monitoring all new student enrollment by implementing the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Department of Public Health.
We are collaborating with the Community Taskforce led by Cape Cod Health Care experts, addressing the coronavirus, with regular communication for updates and guidance.
As a cautionary measure, we are placing a moratorium on all scheduled school field trips for March and April. Barnstable High School international trips scheduled for this spring are also cancelled, with specific information to follow from Principal Clark.
Families, students, and staff can decrease the risk of contracting COVID-19 by following the precautions outlined below.
Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and before and after eating.
Use hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Avoid contact with people who are sick.
Stay home while you are sick and avoid close contact with others. Please do not send your child to school if sick.
Cover your mouth/nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
Limit non-essential travel.
If you are traveling overseas, please notify your child’s school and follow the Centers for Disease Control’s guidance: www.nc.cdc.gov/travel.
Additional Resources:
https://www.mass.gov/servi…/2019-novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov
If you have specific questions regarding COVID-19 pertaining to your school, we ask that you notify Pam Ciborowski, MPH, NCSN, RN Nursing and Wellness Coordinator at Ciborowski_pam@mybps.us.
Thank you for helping us all remain safe and healthy.
Dr. Meg Mayo-Brown, Superintendent
Pam Ciborowski MPH, NCSN, RN Nursing and Wellness Coordinator”
* HN NOTES: We’re not quite sure why HN and the general public was just learning about this situation late yesterday (and in such an indirect way) — and hopefully nothing comes of it regarding the well-being of students and the greater general public — but stay tuned…
Also, HN spoke with the news desk at the Cape Cod Times last evening, asking how they received this important information. The person on the desk was uncertain whether or not there had been a press release. HN expressed general concern, that this isn’t information that should be selectively disseminated, if in fact that was the case… which led to additional questions regarding the appropriate and timely dissemination of information to the general public regarding this situation and others that may adversely effect public health in the future.
Hoping to find answers to those questions, HN sent the following email to the Superintendent of Barnstable Public Schools requesting past, present, and future information regarding this issue. HN will immediately pass along any additional information from the Superintendent as soon as it becomes available:
3/4/2020
Dr. Meg Mayo-Brown
Superintendent of Barnstable Schools
Dear Superintendent Mayo-Brown,
I’m writing because I recently learned about the “monitoring” of 25 BHS students who recently returned from Italy. I have some questions:
1. Is there a press release regarding this situation?
2. Is there additional information regarding this situation and do you plan to provide updates?
3. Is there a reason why the general public is just learning about this now, instead of when the students returned 10 days ago?
4. I have been hearing from parents, some concerned about transparency and communication at the High School. I’m unsure if those concerns are warranted or not. But do you have a statement you would like to have published regarding their concerns about transparency and communication at the High School, or in general?
I am requesting to be added to your distribution list for future press releases. I am also requesting to receive any additional press releases that may have already been distributed regarding this issue.
Thank you very much.
Warmest Regards,
Rob Bastille, Hyannis News
###
P.S. – Today’s Hytown Vignette is brought to you by George Harrison… [BE WELL & CRANK IT!]
