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What Does it Take to Close a School Due to Flu?
By Alyson Hunt, Reporter
By
Becky Ogann
Story Created:
Oct 22, 2009 at 5:46 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Oct 22, 2009 at 5:56 PM CDT
MARION - The threat of student's getting H1N1 is a constant battle at area schools. Schools continue to take preventative measures to stop the spread of the virus including; instructing students proper hand washing, using hand sanitizer and using their sleeves to cover coughs and sneezes.
TV9 talked with the executive director of student services of the Linn-Mar School District and she says it's not up to the school to decide when to close.
"We value the Linn County public health, if they would give that direction that's where we would take our recommendations currently, they are not recommending schools to close," said Julie Jensen, Executive Director Student Services.
So when would the Public health department give the okay to close a school? They tell us they would only close for one reason.
"Our recommendation for the only reason to close a school is if there is an insufficient amount of staff to manage the school and classrooms," said Curtis Dickson, Director Linn County Public Health.
Dickson says one of the greatest challenges of closing, particular at the elementary level, is what to do when children of working parents have nowhere to go.
So far, the only event at Linn-Mar schools canceled because of H1N1 is Thursday night's, "America Reads" program. They don't want any of the volunteers, who may not know they are carrying the disease, to come in contact with students.
Toll-free Influenza Hotline: 1-800-447-1985
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