This just in from the David Fleishman, Superintendent of Newton Public Schools:
March 8, 2020 – 8:00 p.m.
Dear NPS Community,
The Newton Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has informed us that a Newton resident with a student in a Newton school has been diagnosed with a presumptive case of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
We want to share what we know at this point:
- This afternoon, we were notified by Newton HHS that a city resident had received a presumed positive test for COVID-19 and that this individual has a child at Horace Mann.
- We were also notified that the student is healthy and not exhibiting symptoms.
- The student is following the quarantine protocol from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) until cleared to return to school.
- As with any communicable disease, cities and schools are required to follow the direction from the MDPH.
Additionally, we want to share the following information with you:
Newton Department of Health and Human Services
Newton Department of Health and Human Services remains the primary point of contact for any communicable disease information. Their work is informed by the MDPH and the Center for Disease Control (CDC). We will continue to follow their direction and guidance. If you have traveled internationally, you may be subject to quarantine and should review the guidelines which can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/after-travel-precautions.html
Cleaning impacted building and all school buildings
The Facilities Department is conducting deep cleaning and disinfecting at Horace Mann prior to opening tomorrow. We have strengthened cleaning protocols at all schools, with a focus on high touch points. We are conducting close monitoring of hand towel and soap dispensers to ensure regular refill and have purchased a large supply of hand sanitizer to be distributed to all schools.
Confidentiality
As with any medical information, confidentiality about our staff, students, and families must be maintained at all times according to federal regulations. Information about reasons for absences, travel history and illness cannot be given out and must be protected.
Resources for talking with children about COVID-19
Concern over COVID-19 can make children and families anxious. We encourage parents and staff to use the attached resource from Riverside Trauma Center when talking with children about it. An important message is for children to know that adults at home and school are taking care of their health and safety. Encourage children to reach out to a trusted adult if they have concerns.
Moving Forward
We are planning for an on-time opening of all schools on Monday, March 9th, as are neighboring town schools and communities who are addressing the same scenario we are experiencing. We will continue to track and trend illness in all of the schools. Anyone who is ill should remain at home and we ask that you please consult with your primary care physician if you have any questions or concerns about sending your child to school.
Anytime there is an outbreak of a virus or illness, it can be very unsettling for families and staff. Keeping everyone informed, safe and healthy remains our priority. This situation is evolving and we encourage everyone to monitor the Newton Health and Human Services Department’s website for the latest information and any special instructions: http://www.newtonma.gov/COVID19. Residents can find more information from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. https://www.mass.gov/info-details/frequently-asked-questions-about-covid-19#what-are-the-symptoms-and-complications-of-covid-19?-
We will continue to keep you informed as this situation evolves. Thank you for your support and understanding.
Sincerely,
David Fleishman
Superintendent of Schools
Attachment:
Riverside Trauma Center – Managing Reactions to the Coronavirus
COVID-19 makes its way to Newton, and our elected officials are tweeting about…how Joe Biden has “very obvious dementia?” Good to see we’re in safe medical hands.
https://twitter.com/BillHumphreyMA/status/1236482522655133696
Globe story here.
@Gail: Maybe you can post the story. Paywall doesn’t allow non-subscribers to view the story.
Not surprising that a Bernie Bro like Humphrey would jump on that disgusting “Biden is senile” bandwagon.
@Mary, he also said that Warren’s campaign was “a campaign to sabotage and tear apart the Democratic Party permanently,” so at least he’s an equal opportunity hater?
https://twitter.com/BillHumphreyMA/status/1234151469324042241
Bernie supporters are getting desperate. Bill Humphrey has yet again stepped in it.
Here’s Jenna Fisher’s story from the Patch: https://patch.com/massachusetts/newton/newton-parent-tests-positive-coronavirus?utm_source=alert-breakingnews&utm_medium=email&utm_term=schools&utm_campaign=alert
Sorry Amy, I don’t cut and paste stories that are behind paywalls. I’m a big advocate of paying for journalism.
Some media are lifting their paywalls for Covid-19 coverage, Gail. I hope the Globe does so, too.
Right, @Jan. As a commercial matter, a media company is more likely to regain the loyalty of possible customers by doing that. In contrast, every time you hit a firewall, you’re less likely to consider that media company in the future.
These are tough calls by our public officials, and I, for one, appreciate their diligence and judgment–and open straight talk–on such matters. It’s hard to do all that in real time. Thanks to David Fleishman and his NPS team and the folks at the Newton Department of Health and Human Services!
Just fyi, a very different situation, a very different response in Scarsdale, NY:
“All Scarsdale district schools will be closed from March 9th-18th for continued cleaning, progress, monitoring, and social distancing after a faculty member tested positive.
The impacted faculty member is exhibiting mild illness, health officials report. The employee has not yet been officially diagnosed.”
https://abc7ny.com/health/scarsdale-school-district-to-shut-down-after-faculty-member-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/5996102/
For some sobering math on how epidemics spread, here’s a brand new video from Grant Sanderson
https://youtu.be/Kas0tIxDvrg
A must see.
Viruses tend to spread exponentially- so the number of infections has a multiplier rate – a relatively constant ( and short ) time between doubling of cases.
This time with the current year
For those interested in the worldwide progress of the disease, Johns Hopkins has this excellent constantly updating graphic: https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6
Thanks for the post, Gail. Thanks for the link to John Hopkins, Paul. I love graphs, maps, etc. that constantly update.
One of the most interesting things about this particular virus is that very few babies or young children are testing positive. Of course they could be getting very mild forms that stop at cold-like symptoms and so are not tested but generally with viruses they are considered high risk along with those over 80 and those with pre-existing conditions that either lower the immune system or affect the lungs or heart. So if it continues this way, a mother testing positive may not mean the child will and the weekend spent cleaning the school along with the other precautions listed will be enough to keep it out of the schools.
I just want to add that in addition to keeping the soap dispensers full, if they are not automatic, the dispensers themselves – particularly where they are touched to dispense soap – need to be cleaned continually. In addition, hand sanitizers that are at least 62% alcohol can kill Lipid membrane viruses like coronaviruses. A hand sanitizer dispenser held by one person squirting it on everyone else’s hands.
I’ve been asked what a couple of terms used in talking about COVID-19 so I’m including the explanations below.
The CDC provides definitions of the terms being used pertaining to COVID19.
Presumed Positive
Patients are considered to have presumptive positive cases if they tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 in their respective states using the CDC-developed rRT-PCR, but are pending CDC confirmatory testing. However, CDC and State and local public health authorities are proceeding with public health investigations and response activities as if these were confirmed cases. With both confirmed and presumptive positive cases, CDC recommends healthcare providers follow the CDC’S Interim Infection and Control Recommendations
Community spread means spread of an illness for which the source of infection is unknown.
Grant Sanderson is a mathematician described by YouTube as “some combination of math and entertainment “. Just a caveat.
John Hopkins is a better source for COVID-19 information.
When looking at the link Paul gave, remember that those are identified Covid-19 infections. In countries with limited testing (like here), there are many missed infections for each identified one.
A good article from the Harvard Graduate School of Education on measures schools should take
https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/uk/20/03/prepare-coronavirus-simple-measures-are-often-most-effective
The following good sources of info have dropped their paywalls for COVID-19 coverage:
The Seattle Times http://seattletimes.com
STAT http://statnews.com
ProPublica never has a paywall http://propublica.org
Major science/medical journals
Greg/Gail,
Any idea why media doesn’t just make folks watch a commercial or two prior to gaining access to a story? Youtube raked in $15,000,000,000.00 last year from ads, so the model seems to work for them. It would seem to me that many more folks would be willing to sit through a few commercials, then commit to a monthly fees.
Randy: I’d rather not take this important thread off topic but not every media channel has the traffic or market to thrive on video ads and there’s only so many advertisers out there. Plus I’d much rather pay to read the NY Times, Washington Post, Globe and other sites that I visit multiple times each day, over having to watch an ad each time.
This public health crisis is yet another example as to why we need professional journalists and why everyone who can should subscribe to as many publications as possible (plus public broadcasting). We need journalist to help understand and track this crisis and to keep a close eye on our government/public health agencies and hold them accountable.
While the MBTA has stepped up sanitation procedures, I haven’t heard anything about Newton school buses, operated by Eastern Bus Company (which doesn’t appear to have a web page).
https://www.mbta.com/news/2020-03-04/increased-sanitation-schedule-preparedness-planning-coronavirus
Noted on Twitter: “Meanwhile, all of @statnews’s #Covid19 coverage is available for free, in front of our paywall. Has been from the get-go.”
FYI, Stat has the same owner as the Globe.
Thanks Paul!!
All of the following good sources of info have dropped their paywalls for COVID-19 coverage:
The Seattle Times http://seattletimes.com
STAT http://statnews.com
The Atlantic http://theatlantic.com
ProPublica never has a paywall http://propublica.org
Major science/medical journals
BU just announced that it’s moving classes online until April 13.