From Superintendent of Education, Mark Johnson:

Educators, Parents, and Caretakers:

Concerns regarding coronavirus have rightfully risen, and we want you to know that your state and local leaders are carefully monitoring and addressing the situation through bipartisan collaboration.

For more information on coronavirus, you can visit the NC Department of Health and Human Services resource page here.

Right now, we are asking everyone to be vigilant in their efforts to prevent the spread of any sickness. Below is guidance from the Center for Disease Control on preventing the spread of germs.

Your NC public schools are working closely with the NC Department of Health and Human Services. Thank you for helping us to keep our students and families healthy.

Best,

mj

Mark Johnson
NC Superintendent of Public Instruction
@MarkRJohnsonNC
NCsuperintendent.com 

The tips and resources below will help you learn about steps you can take to help stop the spread of germs.

1. Avoid close contact.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

2. Stay home when you are sick.
If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. This will help prevent spreading your illness to others.

3. Cover your mouth and nose.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Flu and other serious respiratory illnesses, like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), whooping cough, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), are spread by cough, sneezing, or unclean hands.

4. Clean your hands.
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

  • Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives
    Tips on hand washing and using alcohol-based hand sanitizers
  • It’s a SNAP Toolkit: Handwashing 
    Hand washing resources from the “It’s A SNAP” program, aimed at preventing school absenteeism by promoting clean hands. From the School Network for Absenteeism Prevention, a collaborative project of the CDC, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the American Cleaning Institute.

5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

6. Practice other good health habits.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.