How to Respond to Coronavirus: 6 Steps for Schools | Coronavirus - Education Week

Cases of the novel coronavirus have begun to hit K-12 schools, and it’s likely more will appear in the coming days as evidence mounts of the disease’s spread beyond people who have recently traveled abroad, says Mark Lieberman, Technology Reporter at Education Week. 

Responding to Coronavirus: A 3-Minute Guide for Schools


Schools in states with confirmed cases have begun closing, either to help limit the spread or to test out remote-learning capabilities in the event a longer closure is necessary.

There’s still a lot that’s unknown about the disease. Children have largely not been severely affected thus far, but scientists have yet to determine to what extent they contribute to the disease spreading to more vulnerable populations. The fatality rate for COVID-19 thus far (between 1 and 2 percent) outstrips the more typical influenza virus (0.1 percent on average), but that might be in part because it’s difficult to detect the disease in patients who aren’t exhibiting outward-facing symptoms, said Rachel Orscheln, an associate professor of pediatrics and infectious diseases at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

It’s easy to imagine panicking at the thought of COVID-19 appearing in your district, but there’s plenty of information and resources available to take action. Start by reading the CDC’s full list of guidelines for schools.

Below are six critical steps K-12 leaders should follow if coronavirus emerges in your communities.
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Additional resources   
Responding to Coronavirus: A Downloadable Guide for Schools 
"...If coronavirus emerges in your community, here are six critical steps to follow as you make decisions about whether to close a school, how to communicate, and what guidance you can rely on from local and state public health authorities."   

Source: Education Week and Education Week Channel (YouTube)