March 2, 2020
Dear Parents,
The health and safety of your children are our top priorities. In collaboration with our parishes and schools, the Archdiocese of Louisville continues to monitor recommendations from the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness (LMPHW) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19).
The CDC assessment of March 2, 2020 states, “For the general American public, who are unlikely to be exposed to this virus at this time, the immediate health risk from COVID-19 is considered low.” We will continue to monitor the developing situation, and if recommendations change, we will notify schools and parents immediately. At this time, we are following normal protocols.
CDC recommends individuals, families, and schools follow everyday preventive measures:
- Voluntary Home Isolation: Stay home when you are sick with respiratory disease symptoms. Now, these symptoms are more likely due to influenza or other respiratory viruses than to COVID-19-related virus.
- Respiratory Etiquette: Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw it in the trashcan.
- Hand Hygiene: Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with 60%-95% alcohol.
- Environmental Health Action: Routinely clean frequently touched surfaces and objects
Routine use of these measures by individuals, their families, and schools will increase community resilience and readiness for responding to an outbreak.
CDC provides guidance and recommendations on postponing or canceling travel. These travel notices are based on the assessment of potential health risks involved with traveling to a certain area. Please check this information if you have travel plans. Our schools are also monitoring this information. A list of destinations with travel notices is available at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html.
We are reviewing and updating, in conjunction with our community partners, our school emergency plans in the event coronavirus (COV-19) is identified in our communities.
We will continue to monitor the situation very closely to ensure that we have put safety measures in place to stop the spread of illness. If the situation changes, we will adjust our recommendations and practices accordingly.
Sincerely,
Leisa Schulz
Superintendent of Schools