Do RI Students Have What They Need to Wash Their Hands in Schools to Fight Coronavirus?
GoLocalProv News Team
Do RI Students Have What They Need to Wash Their Hands in Schools to Fight Coronavirus?
GoLocal sought information last week from state education officials regarding the coordination of the preparation of the coronavirus at schools across the state. GoLocal asked if students in schools across the state could meet the directive from Governor Gina Raimondo and other state officials regarding the number one directive — wash your hands.
It is unclear if all schools across the state have warm water, soap and hand dryers or paper towels in student bathrooms.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAcross the country, hundreds of schools have been closed. In Rhode Island, four schools have been closed to date for time periods of one to more than two weeks.
“District offices really are the best points to ask this question. I know you are asking PPSD, and that they are providing a response from their perspective. While RIDE is providing information to the superintendents, we are not counting soap dispensers in their schools,” according to Pete Janhunen, a spokesperson for the Rhode Island Department of Education.
GoLocal, after being contacted by a number of parents from a range of communities across Rhode Island, asked the Department of Education:
1) Do all students have access to hot water, soap, and something to dry their hands?
2) If not, how many don't?
3) What is being done to correct the issue?
4) Do all classrooms have sanitizers?
5) If not, how many do? (Estimated)
6) If not, how is the Department of Education correcting this?
“The Commissioner continues to coordinate with Dr. Alexander-Scott, and they are working directly with superintendents. But you are correct that RIDE is leaving inventorying to local officials,” according to Janhunen.
Providence Public School Department spokeswoman Laura Hart said, "All Providence public schools have warm water and soap in the bathrooms. The district has communicated with our custodial vendor, Aramark, about increasing the monitoring of bathroom supplies so that soap does not inadvertently run out during the school day, due to higher than normal usage."
"All Providence Public Schools take the threat of the COVID-19 virus very seriously and are following protocols outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and the Dept. of Health," added Hart.
Some school systems are reluctant to close schools, as they are more than centers of education, but also, de facto, social service agencies.
In New York state, which has declared a state of emergency, Scarsdale school district, Columbia University, and Hofstra University are among those suspending classes due to the coronavirus outbreak, according to WABC.
"New York City has the largest public school system in the United States, a vast district with about 750,000 children who are poor, including around 114,000 who are homeless. For such students, school may be the only place they can get three hot meals a day and medical care, and even wash their dirty laundry," reports the New York Times.
"That is why the city’s public schools will probably stay open even if the new coronavirus becomes more widespread in New York, Richard A. Carranza, the schools chancellor, said earlier this week that he considered long-term closings an 'extreme' measure and a 'last resort,'" reported the NYT.
Last week, the United Nations reported that 300 million students across the world now faced closed schools. Approximately 230 million of the children who are out of school are in China.
As GoLocal reported last Friday, Rhode Island State Representative Joseph McNamara is calling for the Department of Education to establish remote learning protocols as Rhode Island continues to develop its strategy in fighting and containing coronavirus.
McNamara's request comes after Achievement First and St. Raphael Academy closed temporarily following the emergence of two presumptive-positive cases -- and a suspected case -- of coronavirus, following a school trip to Italy.
In a letter to Commissioner of Education Angélica infante-Green, McNamara, who is Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Education and Welfare, wrote, “With the possibility that the coronavirus (CORVID-19) could disrupt school-based learning, emergency remote learning approval may allow for the continuation of education for our students. I believe it would also be helpful if the Rhode Island Department of Education could advise local school districts of best practices in remote learning and possible model programs.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control, hand washing should take place after these activities:
Before, during, and after preparing food
Before eating food
Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
Before and after treating a cut or wound
After using the toilet
After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
After handling pet food or pet treats
After touching garbage