Staying Healthy During Flu Season and Coronavirus Update



Dear PUSD Principals, Teachers, Staff, and Families,

As many of you are already aware, there is an outbreak of pneumonia in Wuhan, China, that has been identified to be caused by a novel (NEW) coronavirus (2019-nCoV). The Pasadena Unified School District is working closely with the Pasadena Department of Public Health and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to monitor the latest developments, provide accurate information to our communities, and to be ready to take appropriate action … “to keep our community safe and healthy.” According to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, there is still only one case of the coronavirus in Los Angeles of a non-resident and the risk to the general public remains low.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency and brought new federal guidelines regarding people who traveled from mainland China and arrived in Los Angeles on or after February 2. The LA County DPH issued updated guidance.

The Pasadena Unified School District will comply with the new federal and county guidelines to ensure the health and safety of all students and staff. PUSD is committed to working with all students and their families with sensitivity, respect, and confidentiality.

Students who have been asked by Public Health authorities to stay home under these guidelines will be excused from their absences in accordance with the guidelines. If a student needs to miss school under the new federal and county guidelines, we will work closely with the students and their parents/guardians to ensure they can continue their learning while they are away from school. The new guidelines are not being implemented retroactively for people who have returned from China prior to the declared health emergency on February 2.

The country is also in the midst of the cold and flu season and local, state, and federal health officials are providing tips to help you and our students stay healthy. To avoid getting sick or spreading illnesses, it is important to:

* Regularly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
* Avoid unnecessarily touching your eyes, nose, or mouth after washing your hands;
* Cover your sneeze or cough with a tissue or sleeve, not your hand; and
* Keep your child at home if she/he has a fever until she/he no longer has a fever for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medications).

Masks: The LA County Public Health recommends students and staff not wear masks to protect themselves, as they are not an effective method of general prevention. However, as a precaution, students and staff are allowed to wear sanitary masks on all Pasadena Unified campuses, if desired. PUSD understand that wearing masks is a common practice for some and individuals may wear them at their own discretion. Please note, Pasadena Unified students who are sick must follow these health guidelines and should not be sent to school sick, even if they wear a mask. Do not send your child to school if they may be sick.

The best thing that you or your child can do to stay healthy is to follow the tips above.

To get the latest and most accurate information, visit the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Website at http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus or visit the websites listed below. You can also call the PUSD Health Programs office at (626) 396-3600 ext. 88243.

“Thank you for helping to keep our students healthy and safe.”

The Pasadena Unified School District

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pasadena Now has been published daily since April, 2004 and is among the very oldest continously operated community news websites in the U.S.

Pasadena Now strives to publish a full spectrum of news and information articles in service to the entire community. The publication will remain free to readers and will not erect paywalls.

Pasadena Now strives to provide factual, unbiased reporting. Our opinion section is open to all.

COMPANY INFO

CONTACT

 

CONNECT & SHARE

© 2016-2020 PASADENA NOW, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED