Superintendent Doan Issues Letter Re: COVID-19

Effingham Unit 40 Superintendent Mark Doan distributed a letter to district parents this afternoon regarding the COVIS-19 outbreak. The letter is also on the Unit 40 app. Similar letters are being distributed in other districts in the county.

Here's the letter:

Dear Parents and Guardians,

In Effingham Unit #40 the health, safety, and well-being of our students and staff are our top priorities. With the recently elevated discussion regarding the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the news, we want to take a moment to reinforce preventive safety measures and reference our process and communications. The District recently met with all other Effingham County School Districts and the Effingham County Health Department to gain additional knowledge and to ensure coordination. The District will continue to monitor the situation and take guidance from the Effingham County Health Department, Illinois Department of Health, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Any decisions the District may take moving forward will be based upon the feedback/direction of the professionals in this area. We encourage our students, staff, and families to be mindful of key preventive measures. The CDC offers some tips on its website that can be useful in avoiding the spread of this and other illnesses. Further, current IDPH resources can be accessed at http://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus.

Students, parents, and school personnel can protect themselves and others by taking every day common-sense actions (from IDPH): 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 with at least 60% alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Stay home if you are sick. Students need to be fever-free for 24 hours before returning to school after an illness. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. Consult with your health care provider about getting an influenza vaccination if you haven’t already done so.

Unit #40 will continue to implement its housekeeping and sanitization efforts across all schools. Open lines of communication with local and state health officials will be maintained with additional information shared as we move forward. Thank you for your cooperation on this important matter.