Dear Mead School Community,

As a follow-up to previous illness updates we have sent to you this winter regarding influenza and prevention, I'm writing today to advise that we continue to take a diligent and proactive approach toward monitoring and responding to communicable illnesses. I also want to express my gratitude to you for making sure that our students are getting plenty of rest, practicing good respiratory hygiene, and equally important, following the illness guidelines we've provided in our communications when children are sick. Attached HERE is a summary of illness guidelines for your reference.

As you likely know from national news reports, there is an additional virus that health officials are monitoring closely this season, which is the novel coronavirus predominantly affecting Wuhan City and the greater Hubei Province in China. Most people who contract a common coronavirus experience respiratory illness with similar symptoms as a cold or flu, and recover on their own within a week or so. Since this is a new coronavirus, health officials are closely tracking the outbreak.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent this coronavirus infection. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends the following everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of ALL respiratory viruses:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Stay home when you are sick.

Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

For more information please follow this link to the CDC website.

This morning I met at length with our School Nurse, Gloria Helenese, who stressed that hand-washing is the most critical key to prevention. Over the last several weeks we've enforced more frequent hand-washing for students and faculty throughout the day, and have increased our cleaning measures at School. Last year, you may recall, we added hand-sanitizer dispensers located in key and obvious locations throughout the School.

Thank you for your partnership in supporting the good health of our Community. Please keep your Home Center Director informed if your child is ill, and follow the guidelines for clearance to return to school following illness.

My kind regards,

Stephanie B. Whitney