Friday, February 28 2020
Dear PNB School
Families:
You have likely seen
in the news or on social media about the coronavirus (COVID-19). We know this
kind of news can be worrisome and concerning. We want to provide you with
important information about the virus and recommended precautions, as PNB
remains committed to keeping our students and families’ health and well-being a
top priority.
We continue to monitor
the situation and are tracking guidance from the Washington Department of
Health and the Centers for Disease Control. The Washington State Department of
Health is the lead agency in public health crisis situations in our state. Currently
the Department’s guidance to schools remains unchanged for travelers returning
from China:
“The Washington State Department of Health’s
guidance continues to only recommend that travelers stay home,
away from others, and monitor their health for 14 days. The new guidance only
recommends staying home for travelers arriving in the U.S. AFTER February
2, 2020 at 2 p.m. Family members or other close contacts of these travelers who
are asymptomatic can continue with their daily routines.”
·
The
Washington State Department of Health has provided a fact sheet for the Novel
Coronavirus in various languages. Find it here.
If you have come into
contact with people that have recently returned from a visit to China, we thank
you in advance for helping to monitor for symptoms for the coronavirus.
To help stay healthy, the Centers for Disease Control
recommends:
- Wash hands with soap and water
for 20 seconds; use alcohol-based sanitizer if no water is available - Avoid touching eyes, nose, and
mouth with unwashed hands - Avoid close contact (within 6
feet) with those who are sick - Stay home if sick
- Cover cough or sneeze with
tissue, throw tissue in trash, wash hands - Clean and disinfect frequently
touched object and surfaces
The Washington
Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control are recommending
additional precautions only for those individuals who have had
close contact with someone who is confirmed to have COVID-19
or is being evaluated by the Department of Health for COVID-19. These
recommendations can be found online. The Centers for Disease Control is recommending that
individuals who are not symptomatic to continue with their daily activities,
such as going to work, school or other public areas.
If you are concerned
that you may have been exposed to COVID-19, and are experiencing symptoms of
fever, cough, or shortness of breath, please contact your healthcare provider.
If you are unsure
whether you should keep your student home from school, please read these
guidelines here.
What Pacific Northwest
Ballet School is doing:
Student absences will
be excused for those who stay home due to this recommendation. Please
contact the School office to inform us of your situation.
PNB’s janitorial staff
focuses on maintaining a clean school environment with special attention to
high use areas. Hand sanitizers are also readily available for student, staff,
and parent use at both schools.
We will update you
with any additional information or guidance that we receive.
Sincerely,
Denise Bolstad
Managing Director
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Posted by PNB School
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