Some parents in the Richmond school district have been asking that kids who have recently arrived from China stay at home for two weeks over fears of the coronavirus outbreak.
However, Scott Robinson, the Richmond schools' superintendent, said that schools don’t have the authority to make decisions on public health and any steps taken would be at the direction of the Ministry of Health and Vancouver Coastal Health.
While there is a significant amount of information about the virus online, said Robinson, much of it is inaccurate and is causing “unnecessary fear” in the community.
Because schools have received so many inquiries from parents, Robinson said he wanted to communicate directly with families and staff.
He added the district is working closely with local and provincial health authorities to ensure it is taking appropriate steps, and that accurate information is available.
“It is critical that as we make decisions, we do so with information that is current, accurate and based on medical science,” said Robinson, adding the most recent updates are available at Vancouver Coastal Health and the BC Centre for Disease Control’s websites.
As health authorities have made it clear the best defence against cold and flu viruses includes covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, and proper hand-washing with soap and water. Robinson said soap dispensers in school washrooms will be well-supplied and that surfaces students touch frequently are cleaned on a regular basis.
Hand sanitizer dispensers have also been ordered for the main entryway to every school in the district as an additional precautionary measure, added Robinson.
“Please understand that these are all preventative measures designed to keep students and staff healthy and are in no way indications that parents should be concerned about sending their children to school,” he said.
Robinson also said that, if a child has any signs of cold or flu — such as coughing or sneezing — that parents keep them at home.
“During this difficult time, it is important to remind ourselves that now, more than ever, we need to remain united as a community, doing whatever we can to care for not only ourselves, but for each other,” Robinson said.
The district will continue to provide updates as they become available.
