Kalama School District’s custodial staff will be disinfecting door knobs, handrails, and classroom and bathroom surfaces with increased frequency in response to the global spread of COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus.
This preventative step was announced by Superintendent Eric Nerison in a letter to KSD families on Tuesday, Mach 3. The letter reads as follows:
Dear KSD Families,
The coronavirus has increasingly made headlines in recent days, and I wanted to provide you with an update on how Kalama School District is responding to this global health concern.
It is important to note that in our area, the immediate risk of the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, remains low. While there are currently no cases of coronavirus in our schools nor in any schools in Cowlitz County, the district remains committed to protecting the health and safety of each of our students and staff members.
According to the Washington Department of Health (DOH), schools do not need to take any special precautions beyond what is normally recommended to inhibit the spread of viruses. However, with prevention in mind, our custodians will be disinfecting our schools’ door knobs, handrails, and classroom and bathroom surfaces with increased frequency.
We are also in communication with public health officials and following communications from the CDC to stay current with any developments or new recommendations. We will share these updates as we receive them.
At this time, the best way to prevent the spread of the coronavirus is to follow the same prevention guidelines as the flu:
- Stay home when you feel sick and have a fever.
- Wash hands with soap and water frequently (for at least 20 seconds), especially after going to the bathroom, before eating and after blowing your nose.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and clean hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer (if soap and water are not readily available).
Please reinforce these best practices with your children at home. For more detailed information, check out the coronavirus information page on the DOH website or consult your family’s health care provider.
If you have questions, please feel free to reach out.
Sincerely,
Eric Nerison
Superintendent, Kalama School District