Spring Allergies vs. Covid-19!

 With the Spring season upon us, check of this information about the similarities and differences in symptoms of Covid-19 and seasonal allergies! 

Thanks to Central Middle School nurse Loren Catrambone MEd, BSN, RN for creating this! 

 COVID-19 FATIGUE

As we land back into March, many of us are feeling some form of COVID-19 fatigue. It’s been nearly one year of following rules, worrying about getting sick, feeling stressed when others get sick, reducing sociability, and having our routines completely disrupted.  However, here we are one year later with some good news that should give us all a lift!

• Students have surpassed our expectations with wearing masks regularly and properly!
• Nation-wide cases and COVID-19 related hospitalizations are down.
• Over 1 million Massachusetts resident have been vaccinated with at least one dose.
• Quincy’s positivity rate is down to 3%.
• Manet Community Health Center will continue FREE testing on Tuesdays through March (180 Old Colony Ave from noon – 4PM). You do not need to pre-register. 
• A third COVID-19 vaccine has been approved and is being delivered to communities (Johnson & Johnson).
• Due to social distancing, masks, and improved hand-washing—flu and other respiratory illnesses have been dramatically low this year!
• Spring is around the corner and more activities can take place outside, which is safer!

COVID-19 fatigue can make us want to disregard the rules, but it is important we continue to wear masks, wash our hands, and social distance from those who do not live in our home. Pandemics never last forever. We WILL get through this!

https://www.wbur.org/commonhealth/2020/03/09/coronavirus-cases-massachusetts-map

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/covid-data/covidview/index.html

https://www.wbur.org/commonhealth/2021/02/10/record-low-flu-rates-massachusetts

 Reminders:

• Please continue reviewing any sick symptoms with your child daily prior to sending him/her to school. THANK YOU!
• If your child has traveled out of the state, he/she can return to school as long as you provide documentation of a negative test that was done within the 72-hour window of returning to MA.
• If your child will be out of school for any reason, please call the school. If it is related to an illness, you will receive a follow-up call from the nurse unless it is clearly not related to COVID-19 (for instance, an eye injury or diagnosed ear infection). 

Grades 1 - 3 

Welcome Back to In-Person Learning

We are excited to welcome back our in-person students in grades 1-3, 5 days/week when we return from the February vacation! A few things you should consider in getting ready for school:

1.     Masks - your student will need more masks.  Please obtain a few more masks as we expect children to be wearing a clean mask to school each day.

2.     Water bottle - please make sure your student has a water bottle, labelled with their name, in order to stay hydrated while at school.

3.     Symptom List - please continue to check your child for symptoms daily. COVID-19 symptoms present like a cold in children. If your child displays any symptoms and you think its “just a cold” you should keep your child home, call your PCP and notify your school.

4.     Physical Exam Reports Grade K and 4 - physical exam reports are due. We are required by Massachusetts to have a recent (within the last year) physical exam report from your PCP/ doctor on file for all students in grade K and 4. If you were notified earlier this month that we are missing this report please submit it, or a confirmation of a scheduled appointment date with your doctor when we return.

5.     Thank you to everyone who is part of our school community- administration, staff, students, and parents. Working together, masking, distancing, frequent handwashing and following travel guidelines while enjoying time away will allow us to return to 5 days, in person learning as safely as possible.

 HONORING PIONEERS AND LEADERS IN NURSING DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH

It is well understood that children seeing role models who look like them gives them confidence to follow in their footsteps. This was made very clear after the inauguration of Vice President Kamala Harris and the poetry reading by youth poet laureate Amanda Gorman when girls all over the country shared their feelings about feeling inspired, included, and more visible. As we celebrate Black History Month in our schools, the nurses welcome the opportunity to honor the diverse women who have contributed to the nursing profession in America. Our hope is that every child we interact with will follow their dream and be inspired by amazing nurses such as Sojourner Truth, Susie King Taylor, Betty Smith Williams, Mary Eliza Mahoney and Harriet Tubman.  

These amazing women’s stories can be found at the following link if families want to share them at home:  https://nurse.org/articles/black-history-month-nursing-leaders/

MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is removing the requirement for flu vaccination for attendance in childcare/preschool, primary, secondary and postsecondary education.  Preliminary data show that this has been a mild flu season to date, presumably as people have received their seasonal flu vaccine and have been adhering to mask-wearing and social distancing due to COVID-19.   Given the intensive Commonwealth-wide efforts regarding COVID-19 vaccination, DPH wants to alleviate the burden to obtain flu vaccination and focus on continuing our COVID -19 vaccination efforts.  

DPH continues to strongly recommend that everyone age six months and older receive their seasonal flu vaccine each year.  01/15/2021

 

Massachusetts Department of Public Health Guidelines

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has adopted the latest CDC quarantine guidelines for close contacts (not positive cases) that include: 

Click here for MDPH Information and Guidance for Persons in Quarantine 

due to COVID-19.

Wellness Wednesday!

 COVID-19: Close Contacts

As numbers of COVID-19 cases increase across the state, the chances of knowing someone with the virus has gone up. If your child had close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19, please let your school nurse know as soon as possible.

What does it mean to be a close contact?

The CDC defines a close contact as someone who spent a total of 15 minutes (over the course of 24 hours) within 6 feet of each other during the contagious period.

Contagious period: Two days before the person started to feel sick or two days before a person without symptoms was tested.

What is required of a close contact?

Close contacts need to quarantine, stay home without visitors, for 14 days after last contact with the infected person. If you live with someone, you continue to have close contact with the infected person. Therefore, household contacts stay home/quarantine during the illness period (usually 10 days) and THEN another 14 days.

A close contact should get tested (PCR or NAAT) as soon as possible. This is done to determine if other people/close contacts in our community need to quarantine as your close contacts—which slows the spread of this disease. 

https://www.mass.gov/guidance/information-and-guidance-for-persons-in-quarantine-due-to-covid-19#how-long-must-you-quarantine-

Please continue reviewing any sick symptoms with your child daily prior to sending him/her to school. THANK YOU!

Written by: Christine Flynn RN 

Wellness Wednesday!

As we plan for the Thanksgiving holiday, the following considerations are offered to help keep our friends, families, and community safe during COVID-19. If you host a holiday celebration, keep it small. If you are considering travel, be aware of Massachusetts travel orders. If you participate in a celebration, follow public health guidance.

Lower Risk Celebrations

·         Limit in-person holiday gatherings to only people you live with or limit to a small group of individuals with whom you are regularly in contact.

·         Keep visits short – gatherings that last longer pose more risk than short gatherings.

·         Host a virtual holiday dinner with extended family or friends, especially if they are at higher risk for illness from COVID-19.

·         Prepare traditional family recipes for family and neighbors, especially those at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and deliver them in a way that doesn’t involve contact with others.

Higher Risk Celebrations

If you plan to celebrate the holidays in person with people you don’t live with:

• Wear your mask when not eating or drinking and watch your distance at all times.
• Do not share food, drink, or any utensils.
• Wear a mask while preparing or serving food to others who don’t live in your household.
• Use single-use options or identify one person to serve sharable items, like salad dressings.
• Avoid any self-serve food or drink options, such as buffets, potluck dishes, or drink stations.
• Minimize contact with other people for 14 days before and after holiday gatherings, or obtain a negative result from a molecular (PCR) test within 72 hours of the celebration.
• Arrange small seating tables in multiple rooms with plenty of spacing, instead of a large family table.
• Improve ventilation by opening windows and doors.
• Take extra precautions for those at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, such as older adults or those with certain medical conditions

Avoid these activities:

• Sharing food and drinks.
• Shaking hands and hugging. Wave and verbally greet others instead.  
• Singing, dancing, and shouting (increase your chances of catching COVID-19 through the air).
• Shopping in crowded stores just before, on, or after Thanksgiving.

DO NOT host or participate in any in-person festivities if you or anyone in your household:

• Has been diagnosed with COVID-19
• Has symptoms of COVID-19
• Is awaiting COVID-19 test results
• May have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days
• Is at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, such as older adults or those with medical conditions

Please reach out to your school nurse if you have any questions or concerns!

Sincerely,

The Health Services Team

Written by: Kathleen Torraco RN 

Check this out!

 This bulletin board is on display for all the students to see at Central Middle School! It helps students connect socially while still maintaining a physical distance. Thanks for sharing, Mrs. Catrambone! 

Check this out!

 Shout out to Ms. Flynn, school nurse at Broad Meadows Middle School! She made this super creative info sheet including tips for a healthy school year! It includes a reminder to stay a Gilbert (Mr. Gilbert - Principal is 6 feet tall) apart! 

Wellness Wednesday!

 All about masks! 

The CDC recommends that people wear masks in public settings, like on public and mass transportation, at events and gatherings, and anywhere they will be around other people, especially school. Masks may help prevent people who have COVID-19 from spreading the virus to others.Masks are most likely to reduce the spread of COVID-19 when they are widely used by people in public settings.

When wearing a mask, it is important to select one that has two or more layers to help stop the spread of Covid-19. Do not touch your mask when wearing it. If you must, make sure you wash your hands after. Make sure you wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth and is secure under your chin. It should fit snugly against the sides of your face. Masks should be washed regularly in the laundry.

If you wear a gaiter, it must be two layers or folded over to make two layers to give you the best protection. At this time, only a face shield is not recommended as effectiveness is unknown. If you wear glasses, find a mask that fits closely over your nose or one that has a nose wire to limit fogging. Masks with valves are also not recommended.

 

To take off your mask, carefully untie the strings behind your head or stretch the ear loops. You should handle the mask by the ear loops or ties only. Fold the outside corners together. Be careful not to touch your eyes, nose, and mouth when removing your mask. Wash your hands immediately after removing the mask.

For more information, visit the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html

Check this out!

Shout out to Mrs. Jordan, school nurse at Wollaston Elementary for creating this awesome bulletin board! This is on display for all students to see and be reminded how to wash their hands! 

Tips for a safe and healthy Halloween!

 

The following suggestions are offered for families who want to participate in Halloween activities while limiting the risk of exposure to COVID-19. As a reminder, any Halloween activities are subject to the current state gathering size limits.

Lower Risk Activities:

·         Celebrate with members of your household with a Halloween-themed meal, Halloween movie night, or by preparing a Halloween scavenger hunt.

·         Hold virtual costume contests or pumpkin carving events.

·         Decorate your yard for others to enjoy from their car or while on a socially-distanced walk.

·         Enjoy Halloween outside rather than attending indoor events.

·         Wear a face mask or face covering.  

-  Do not use a costume mask as a substitute for a face mask or face covering. 

-  Do not wear a costume mask over a cloth mask because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe.  Instead, consider using a Halloween-themed cloth mask. 

·         Carry hand sanitizer (60% alcohol) and use it often, especially after coming into contact with frequently touched surfaces and before eating candy.

·         Refrain from touching your face.

·         Maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet from people who are not members of your household.

Moderate Risk Activities:

·         Visiting pumpkin patches and orchards.

·         Having small group, outdoor costume parade where people are distanced more than 6 feet apart.

·         One-way trick-or-treating, with treats placed outside of the home for trick-or-treaters as a “grab and go” while keeping distance from others.

·         Placing candy on a platter instead of a bowl and leaving hand sanitizer out for trick-or-treaters to use.

AVOID Higher Risk Activities:

·         Participating in traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed to children who go door to door.

·         Attending crowded costume parties held indoors, or any gatherings that exceed gathering limits.

·         Going to an indoor haunted house where people may be crowded together and screaming.

·         Going on hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household.

STAY HOME AND REFRAIN From Halloween Activities, Including Handing Out Halloween Treats, If:

·         You feel unwell

·         You have tested positive for COVID-19

·         You have been exposed to someone with COVID-19

·         You have traveled to or from a state that is not classified as lower risk within the last 14 days. 

SWritten by: Kathleen Torraco, RN

For more information visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays/halloween.html

F

Check this out!

This fun and inspiring bulletin board is on display at North Quincy High School for all students to see! Mrs. Houlihan did a great job reminding students just how great they are! 

Exposure to Covid-19

 What to do if you are exposed to Covid-19

Quarantine is used to keep someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others. Quarantine helps prevent spread of disease that can occur before a person knows they are sick or if they are infected with the virus without feeling symptoms. The virus can take anywhere from 2-14 days to show symptoms. That is why those who are exposed need to stay home for that time period. If they are close to another person during that time period, they may spread the virus to that person without knowing. People in quarantine should stay home, separate themselves from others, monitor their health, and follow directions from their state or local health department.

Who needs to quarantine? 

People who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19

What counts as close contact?

• You were within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more
• You provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19
• You had direct physical contact with the person (hugged or kissed them)
• You shared eating or drinking utensils
• They sneezed, coughed, or somehow got respiratory droplets on you

What to do if you are determined to be a close contact?

Stay home and monitor your health

• Stay home for 14 days after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19
• Watch for fever (100.4◦F), cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19
• Stay away from others, especially people who are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19

If you have any questions about exposure or quarantining,please reach out to your school nurse! 

Check this out!

This sign is on display for all students at Squantum School! The portable medical kit is used by Nurse Spillane to bring to the classrooms to assess students who might not be feeling well. This helps cut down on hallway traffic and exposures! 

Wellness Wednesday!

 Although children are less likely to become sick with Covid-19, they can still become infected with the virus and spread it to others. Children can have mild to severe symptoms or can also be asymptomatic (have no symptoms). 

The symptoms to look for include the following: 

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Nasal congestion or runny nose
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Diarrhea
• Nausea or vomiting
• Stomachache
• Tiredness
• Headache
• Muscle or body aches

Out of all of these symptoms, the most common in children is fever and cough. If your child has  any of these symptoms, please keep them home and call your pediatrician for testing. Contact your child's school nurse with any questions! 

Germs are not for sharing!

 Germs are not for sharing! This bulletin board is on display at Beechwood for all students to remember to wash their hands, cover their sneeze or cough and stay home if you are sick! Great job by the Beechwood School Nurse, Mrs. Cerone! 

Wellness Wednesday

 

Pandemics can be stressful!

There are plenty of healthy ways to cope with stress!

Take care of your emotional health – share your experience with someone you care about, meditate or write in a journal!

Take social media or news breaks – repeated reminders of bad news are not good for your mental health.

Take care of your body – get plenty of sleep, try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise

Make time for activities you enjoy to help you unwind – go for a social distanced walk or read a book!

Connect with others – Zoom, FaceTime and Video Chats are a great way to stay connected.

Knowing the facts about COVID-19 and stopping the spread of rumors can help reduce stress and stigma.

For more information visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/share-facts.html

Check this out!

This awesome bulletin board is on display for all students at Atlantic to see. This helps remind students to follow the three W's: wear a mask, wash your hands and watch your distance!  

Submitted by: Meredith Johnston RN