For more information, visit DC Health.

Any individual experiencing symptoms of Covid-19 or who is required to isolate or quarantine due to Covid-19 diagnosis or exposure should not attend, work at, or visit a school due to the risk of exposing others.

Symptoms of Covid-19 may include:

• Fever (subjective or 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit),
• Chills,
• Cough,
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing,
• Fatigue,
• Muscle or body aches,
• Headache,
• New loss of taste or smell,
• Sore throat,
• Congestion or runny nose,
• Nausea or vomiting, or
• Diarrhea.

All persons 18 and older who are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, that are new or unexplained, should stay home and not enter a school.

All persons younger than 18 who are experiencing the following symptoms, that are new or unexplained, should stay home and not enter a school:

Any ONE of these red flag symptoms:

• New or worsening cough
• Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
• New loss of taste or smell

OR at least two (2) of the following symptoms:

• Fever (measured or subjective)
• Chills
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• Sore throat
• An unusual amount of tiredness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Runny nose or congestion
• Diarrhea

For information, visit the CDC website.  

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

• The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
• 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, sneezes or talks.
  • These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
  • Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.

Clean your hands often.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact.

• Limit contact with others as much as possible.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Put distance between yourself and other people.
  • Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus.
  • This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.

• You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
• Everyone should wear a cloth face covering in public settings and when around people not living in their household, especially when social distancing is difficult to maintain.
• The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
• Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker.
• Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. 
• The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.

Cover coughs and sneezes.

• Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
• Throw used tissues in the trash.
• Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Clean and disinfect.

• Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
• If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
• Then, use a household disinfectant.

For more information the CDC website.

Cloth face coverings serve as a barrier to help prevent respiratory droplets from traveling into the air and onto other people when the person wearing the cloth face covering coughs, sneezes, talks, or raises their voice.

WEAR YOUR FACE COVERING CORRECTLY

• Wash your hands before putting on your face covering.
• Put it over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin.
• Try to fit it snugly against the sides of your face.
• Make sure you can breathe easily.
• Do not place a mask on a child younger than 2.

USE THE FACE COVERING TO HELP PROTECT OTHERS

• Wear a face covering to help protect others in case you’re infected but don’t have symptoms.
• Keep the covering on your face the entire time you’re in public.
• Don’t put the covering around your neck or up on your forehead.
• Don’t touch the face covering, and, if you do, clean your hands. 

FOLLOW EVERYDAY HEALTH HABITS

• Stay at least 6 feet away from others.
• Avoid contact with people who are sick.
• Wash your hands often, with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds each time.
• Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

TAKE OFF YOUR CLOTH FACE COVERING CAREFULLY, WHEN YOU’RE HOME

• Untie the strings behind your head or stretch the ear loops.
• Handle only by the ear loops or ties. 
• Fold outside corners together.
• Place covering in the washing machine. 
• Wash your hands with soap and water.

For more information visit the CDC website.

Washing your hands is easy, and it’s one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from one person to another and throughout an entire community—from your home and workplace to childcare facilities and hospitals.

Follow these five steps every time.

1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

Important Covid-19 Resources

Get the latest updates and stay informed on the coronavirus with direct information from the below resources:

• Centers for Disease Control (CDC) - Official Coronavirus (Covid-19) health information

• Coronavirus.dc.gov - The latest local information from DC Health

• FEMA Rumor Control page - Answers to coronavirus myths and rumors.

• Coronavirus.gov - The latest official information from the Coronavirus (Covid-19) Task Force at the White House

• USA.gov/Coronavirus - See what government agencies are doing in response to Covid-19.

Nurse Greenhalgh has shared this helpful handout from the National Association of School Psychologists for speaking with your children about coronavirus. She also recommends this suite of resources from the Department of Health & Human Services. It is updated often and has specific categories to fit particular needs. 

In addition, Visitation's counselors - Susie Manion and Sarah Thompson - will remain available during regular school hours to students, parents, and faculty via email and phone to address mental health needs as they arise, and ongoing concerns related to emotional well-being. 

Given the remote nature of these communications, counselors will only be able to intervene in non-crisis issues and will be unable to assess for risk or safety.  

Our counselors have also shared the following resources to help parents as they support their children through this evolving situation:

• CDC Helping Children Cope
• New York Times Talking to Teens and Tweens about the Coronavirus
• New York Times Ways to Help Teens Manage Anxiety About the Coronavirus
• Coping With Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
• Stop a Worry Becoming Catastrophic: How to Talk to Your Kids about the Coronavirus
• New York Times The Difference Between Worry, Stress, and Anxiety
• Quaranteeangers: Strategies for Parenting in Close Quarters
• 5 Ways to Help Teens Manage Their Anxiety About the Coronavirus
• Parenting When the Family is Locked Inside
• Parenting in Place masterclass on helping families thrive in challenging times