Hi Everyone! I was as surprised as you to learn today that Austin ISD is now allowing families to opt their students out of masking outdoors. First, please know that all through this pandemic, Nurse Sarah and I have been loudly advocating for mandatory masking indoors as there is excellent data to support this measure. We have also been loudly advocating for open windows and moving activities outdoors when possible due to strong evidence that good ventilation is key to preventing the spread of Covid 19. Over the last few weeks, I've quietly been wondering when we can start allowing kids to play outdoors unmasked. I understand that we have ALL been traumatized by this pandemic and that ending precautions can be very scary. That said, I do believe that it is time to end OUTDOOR mask mandates in uncrowded situations where community spread is low. (I'm in favor of everyone with cold symptoms staying home or masking indoors forever now, but that's a topic for another day). Outdoor transmission data: Basically outdoor transmission only exists in situations where people are crammed in to tight outdoor crowds unmasked for very long periods of time (>30min of conversation). Many large scale studies have shown that only 1 out of a thousand cases can be traced to outdoor exposure. Why?
China:
If you want even more info, please read this article from a well respected internist in DC: www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/05/kids-masks-outdoors-cdc/618856/ This NYTimes article has a lot of helpful information clarifying just how very, very low the risk of outdoor transmission is: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/11/briefing/outdoor-covid-transmission-cdc-number.html I hope this info puts your mind at ease. It's a change, but a good one and based on good science. I for one am overjoyed to be seeing the light at the end of this long pandemic tunnel. I'm so excited with how effective the vaccines are. I won't be taking my kids to any crowded outdoor festivals but you can look for our smiling faces outdoors at the playground or on the hiking trails. P.S., Grown ups and kids over 16, if you are having any trouble finding that vaccine appointment go visit HEB from 3-5pm...they accept walk-ins! (or send me an email and I'll help find you an appointment :) All the best, Nurse Barbara Barbara Pestien, RN, MSN [email protected] / [email protected] Austin Numbers today, look at this lovely downward trend! Since much of this has to do with vaccination, I don't expect to see that white line rise much in the future.
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Nurse Barbara and I are looking forward to seeing some of you return to campus in October. We have been following the Center for Disease Control & Austin Public Health guidelines in working to prepare a safe environment and protocols for reentry during this pandemic.
We ask that you please complete the AISD Covid-19 screening tool app with your child before drop off. They will then have their temperature checked before entry into the building. Because Covid-19 can look like a common cold, especially in children, it is our recommendation that you keep your child home if you even think they may be coming down with something. According to the updated guidance from Austin Public Health, TEA and Austin ISD, if a student comes to the health room with ANY Covid-19 symptom we are required to send them (and any siblings in the district) home for a minimum of 10 days OR they will need both a negative SARS-COV2 PCR test and to be cleared by a physician. For this reason, it may be in your best interest to keep your child home if you have any suspicion that they may be sick. If it turns out to be a false alarm, one day home to observe and be sure they are well may save you ten days. When in doubt, stay home. - Nurse Barbara Flu season is also on its way. Keeping up to date on all vaccinations, whether learning virtually or in person including getting a flu shot, is ever more important now. Flu vaccines reduce the risk of flu illness, co-infections, hospitalization, and death. Getting a flu vaccine can also save potentially scarce healthcare resources for those with Covid-19. Please visit your pediatrician or pharmacist (they too can now administer vaccinations to children over 3 years old). We are here to offer support whether in person or virtually. Thank you, Nurse Sarah As I'm sure you've seen in the news, the flu has arrived in Austin. Mills has thankfully not been hit as hard as some other schools in our area, but I have seen several cases in the health room this week.
We are working hard to keep numbers down and need your help! If your child has been diagnosed with the flu please consult with your doctor to determine the child’s return to school date. Also please report confirmed flu or influenza-like illnesses to [email protected] or [email protected] so that I may track the numbers to report to the State Health Department. AISD return to school policy for all illnesses is: · Students must be fever free 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medication, before returning to school. DO NOT give fever-reducing medication in the morning and send your child to school. Your child may still be sick and could cause others to become ill. · Students with temperatures greater than 99.9 must be picked up from school. · Students must be free from symptoms of viral gastroenteritis (diarrhea, loose, watery stools, vomiting) for 24 hours, without the use of anti-diarrheal medication, before returning to school. Students with symptoms while at school may be sent home. For more info you can always visit millshealthroom.weebly.com. Hi all,
It's been a busy few weeks in the health room, but fortunately Flu numbers have been dramatically lower than last year! I wanted to share a few things that have been on my mind this winter: 1) Pertussis I'm sure you saw the info sheet I sent home with each student this week. Just to clarify, there has been an increase in Pertussis/Whooping Cough in our area but no reported cases at Mills. Still, since it's in our neighborhood, we should all take extra precautions. If your child has a severe cough, you may want to mention to your pediatrician that cases of Pertussis have been identified in our area. If your child has not received the DTAP vaccine, you may want to reconsider getting them immunized. 2) Winter Coats and Car Seats Did you know that it's not safe to wear a big puffy winter jacket in the car?! As a general rule, winter coats should not be worn underneath a car seat harness because that can leave the harness too loose to be effective in a crash. https://www.consumerreports.org/car-seats/the-dangers-of-winter-coats-and-car-seats/ How to Bundle Up SafelyIf you find that the coat can't be safely worn under the harness, here are a couple things you can do:
3) Health Room Needs The health room closet is running a little low. As you are going through clothes your children have outgrown, would you please consider donating pants of all sizes. They are helpful for everything from potty accidents to mud puddles and spilled milk. It's been a blessing taking care of all your sweet kiddos this year. Thanks so much for sharing them with us and for all the love and support we receive from our wonderful Mills Families! Happy Holidays to all! Love, Nurse Barbara Mills will not be hosting a flu shot clinic on campus this year. I would very much like to encourage you to get flu shots for yourself and your children as soon as possible. My girls and I got ours in September as Mills had it's first few reported cases of the flu in September! There are many, many options available in the community. Most minute clinics have the flu shot available for children 7 and older and do accept insurance. Your pediatrician's office definitely has it for all ages. Seton Express Care on Davis Lane has the shot available for all ages. For a list of low or no-cost community resources, please click here:
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