The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) is working with the Pasadena Public Health Department, the L.A. County Office of Education, and the L.A. County Department of Public Health to monitor the latest developments about the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), and keep students, teachers, and staff safe and healthy.
On Tuesday, officials from the Centers for Disease Control warned that the novel coronavirus will almost certainly spread in the United States, and that schools and businesses should prepare for a possible pandemic.
In a statement released Thursday, PUSD Superintendent Brian McDonald said PUSD is preparing and planning to keep students and staff safe. According to McDonald, there are no plans for imminent school closures.
However, PUSD is updating protocols and preparing plans for virtual learning for schools in the event of a prolonged emergency of any kind, including coronavirus.
To help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including the coronavirus and flu, public health officials encourage everyone to:
- Stay home and away from others if you have a mild illness (with a fever of 100 F or above).
- Stay at home until you are free of fever for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces.
- Get your influenza vaccine to protect yourself from the flu.
