For Parents and Community:

A new type of coronavirus, abbreviated COVID-19, is a respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) virus, and we are learning more about it every day. There is currently no vaccine to protect against COVID-19. At this point, the best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes it. Stopping transmission (spread) of the virus through everyday practices is the best way to keep people healthy.

Concern over this new virus can make children and families anxious. While we don’t know where and to what extent the disease may spread here in the United States, we do know that it is contagious, the severity of illness can vary from individual to individual, and there are steps we can take to prevent the spread of infection. Acknowledging some level of concern, without panicking, is appropriate and can result in taking actions that reduce the risk of illness. Helping children cope with anxiety requires providing accurate prevention information and facts without causing undue alarm. 

It is very important to remember that children look to adults for guidance on how to react to stressful events. If parents seem overly worried, children’s anxiety may rise. Parents should reassure children that health and school officials are working hard to ensure that people throughout the country stay healthy. However, children also need factual, age appropriate information about the potential seriousness of disease risk and concrete instruction about how to avoid infections and spread of disease. Teaching children positive preventive measures, talking with them about their fears, and giving them a sense of some control over their risk of infection can help reduce anxiety.  Please review Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus) A Parent Resource for more information.

Menifee Union School District encourages our parents and community to review  Interim Guidance: Get Your Household Ready for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) provided by the CDC to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

The Center for Disease Control further recommends we practice everyday preventive actions now to help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily (e.g., tables, countertops, light switches, doorknobs, and cabinet handles) using a regular household detergent and water.
  • If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a detergent and water prior to disinfection. 
• Wash hands multiple times a day for at least 20 seconds (singing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star slowly takes about 20 seconds). 
• Do not share food or drinks. 
• Practice giving fist or elbow bumps instead of handshakes. 
• Giving children guidance on what they can do to prevent infection gives them a greater sense of control over disease spread and will help to reduce their anxiety. 

Menifee Union School District’s Response to COVID-19:

The District’s internal Emergency Planning Team has been actively planning COVID-19 preparedness in conjunction with our local public health department.  Additionally, we have instituted the following precautionary measures:

• Increased custodial support to be proactive in  cleaning high traffic areas of schools.
• Provided specific custodial training for all MUSD custodians related to best practices for school sanitation and preventing the spread of viruses on school campuses.
• Purchased an electrostatic sprayer, disinfectants and sanitizers to ensure all surfaces areproperly treated should the need arise.
• Provided specific health office protocol for suspected COVID-19 illness

Precautionary Measures to be implemented week of March 9, 2020:

• Staff training for using disinfectant related to best practices for school sanitation and preventing the spread of viruses on school campuses.  
• Increased supply of disinfectant at each school site.
• Increased supply of surgical masks to comply with COVID-19 health office protocol.

Precautionary Measure to be implemented week of March 16, 2020

• Provide guidance from District Nurses to promote healthy habits to prevent the spread of germs

Precautionary Measure to be implemented on or before the week of March 30, 2020 (depending upon receipt from vendor)

• Provide additional hand sanitizing stations (5) at each school site

(This message was distributed to the Menifee USD community on letterhead and social media on March 6, 2020)