Couple of updates since the last addition to our ongoing flu story (we will launch a new one tomorrow for any updates during the day): The city of Seattle has added extra resources to its home page, including a special section about the flu; see it here. The city also has joined with Seattle Public Schools in the announcement of three schools (NOT in West Seattle) now closing for at least a week because of flu concerns, and asking that students from those schools be kept at home. Here are the latest announcements (and a map of those three schools’ locations):
View Three schools closed in a larger map
First, here’s the district’s announcement that Madrona K-8, Stevens Elementary, and Aki Kurose Middle School are the three schools now closed.
Mayor Greg Nickels, Seattle Schools Superintendent Dr. Maria L. Goodloe-Johnson and Public Health Director Dr. David Fleming today urged parents to keep children at home if their schools are closed due to possible swine flu.
City, school and public health officials strongly discourage parents from dropping off kids at libraries, community centers or other public facilities. The virus is spread person-to-person, mainly through the coughs and sneezes of sick people. It is important that kids stay home to avoid the risk of spreading infection.
“Bringing children to public libraries, community centers or other public facilities defeats the purpose of closing schools,” said Nickels. “We understand that keeping kids at home presents child-care challenges for some families, but we’re asking the community to work together for the safety of our children and others.”
“We’re closing schools out of an abundance of caution,” said Fleming. “The purpose is to reduce the risk for the infection to spread quickly in a close network, which is why it’s important that these same people don’t gather in different locations. If your child is from a closed school, please help protect him or her and the community by not dropping them off at community centers or libraries.”
“We continue to work closely with public health officials and follow their recommendations which are made in the best interest of our students,” said Goodloe-Johnson. “Resuming our normal activities will take all of us doing our part – that includes keeping children at home and supporting families in our community to quickly find good arrangements for children whose schools are closed.”
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