Good afternoon ZUMC family. Well here we are almost 2 weeks until a possible school year. I, like many of you, receive this news with both excitement and concern. Excitement for our children to get back in the classroom and back to some type of “normalcy” after a long unexpected break. Back to learning in person. Back to the social education that is the American classroom. Concern for their well being. Concern for the safety of their teachers, bus drivers, and support staff. Finally, concern for my children returning and my family who may be at risk of exposure. I wish I could tell you that there is no risk. But like anything in medicine, and with this disease, that is impossible.
What I can tell you is that returning to school can be done in a safe manner. By following guidelines from the CDC, American Academy of Pediatrics, State and Local health departments, children can safely return to school. However, this relies heavily on YOU the parent. We must all ensure that we are doing everything in our power to minimize the risk to other children. COVID prevention and return to school is a team sport. We all need to cooperate to ensure that our children, families, and all who interact are safe.
How is this done? First, it goes back to the simple lessons we all teach our children about hygiene. Make sure your children are well versed in hand washing. Frequent hand washing has been proven time and time again to prevent the spread of all diseases. Encourage your children to frequently wash their hands during the school day and when they get home. If unable to use soap and water, frequent use of hand sanitizer is a good option. Combine this with minimizing touching of their face and mouth, and they can limit the spread of many germs and virus (beyond COVID).
Next is mask wearing. There is a mountain of evidence that shows mask wearing greatly reduces the transmission of COVID. COVID is spread primarily through respiratory droplets. When masks are used, the risk of droplet transmission from one person to another is greatly decreased. Masks should be encouraged, if not required, at school. There is no evidence that masks[T1] are harmful to individuals who wear them for a prolonged period of time. Make sure your children have a few masks that they can wear comfortably for an extended period of time. Masks should be washed with some regularity so have a few that can be rotated throughout the week. Also, make sure your children are aware that wearing a mask can save a life. They should be proud at their commitment to the well being of their friends and family.
Finally, disease surveillance in your own home is important. It is incredibly important that you keep sick kids home. A general rule of thumb with COVID is the 10 day and 3 day rule. Essentially, if you have a serious exposure (family member with COVID) or are tested, you must wait 10 days from the time of exposure or testing until you should return to school. If you start developing symptoms, you must be symptom free for at least 3 days before returning back. I have attached a link from the Indiana State Department of Health below to help guide you with decision making. I would recommend keeping this handy as it is a good, evidence-based, guide for what to do with sick children and when they can return to school.
https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/files/20_Student%20Guidance%20for%20Return%20to%20School.pdf
In summary, I realize the concern that exists with returning to school. I have 2 children myself. However, if we all do our part we can ensure that our children are able to learn in the safest way possible.
Dan O’Donnell, MD
Associate Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine
Division Chief & Fellowship Director, Out-of-Hospital Care (EMS)
Department of Emergency Medicine
Chief Indianapolis EMS
ZUMC Parent Portal Homepage 