Understanding the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Minnewaska Area Schools is committed to a proactive approach to ensuring student and staff safety with disrupting the learning environment as little as possible due to recent developments. We wanted to take an opportunity to provide you with the latest information regarding COVID-19 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness caused by a new virus that scientists are learning more about every day. Currently, there is no vaccine to protect against COVID-19; the best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes it. Preventing the spread of the virus through everyday practices is the best way to keep people healthy. Those practices include:

• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home while sick and avoid close contact with others.
• Cover mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash hands.

As a district, we are monitoring absenteeism for any irregularities, cleaning and disinfecting all school spaces daily, conducting specialized electro-static disinfecting at each building on a rotational basis, encouraging those that are sick to stay home, and staying abreast of all new information related to COVID-19.

In the event of any cases here, Minnewaska Area Schools will coordinate with agencies like emergency management, government, and the department of health at the local, state, and federal levels to ensure we are taking appropriate steps as necessary.

For additional information, please review these fact sheets from the CDC:

• What you need to know about COVID-19
• Stop the spread of germs
• Frequently Asked Questions

Through the continuation of good general hygiene practices and by staying home when sick, we are helping to protect against COVID-19 in our area.

We thank you for your support in keeping our schools safe and healthy places for children to learn, staff to work, and parents and community members to visit!