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The health, safety and welfare of our students and staff is a top priority of the Jackson Local School District. When making school-related decisions surrounding Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), or any matter of public health, including school closure, cleaning protocol, and other recommendations, the District will always turn to the guidelines and recommendations of the National Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention and, by extension, our state health department (Ohio Health Department, OHD) and our county health department (Stark County Health Department).
What is the coronavirus?
CDC is responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in China and which has now been detected in almost 70 locations internationally, including in the United States. The virus has been named “SARS-CoV-2” and the disease it causes has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”). Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in people and many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people and then spread between people.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear 2-14 days after exposure and include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
How does it spread?
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
- Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
- Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
- It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
CDC reports that at this time, the risk of contracting the coronavirus is low.
There is currently no vaccine to prevent the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is through methods similar to those we use to protect ourselves from the seasonal flu:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
Follow these five steps every time.
- Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
- Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
Got Questions?
Ohio Department of Health Opens Call Center to Help With COVID-19 Response
The call center will be open 7 days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and can be reached at 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634).
More information on the coronavirus can be found by visiting these links:
Talking to Children about COVID-19
Stark County Department of Health
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