What is the Novel Coronavirus?
COVID-19 is a disease that can occur from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The virus was first identified in Wuhan, China in late 2019, but has since spread to countries around the world, including the United States. Symptoms of coronavirus may include coughing and runny nose, fever, and shortness of breath. However, up to 80 percent of coronavirus cases are mild or asymptomatic.
At this time, the World Health Organization estimates the death rate of COVID-19 to be around two percent. However, many health officials predict that the actual death rate is lower than two percent and that numbers are currently elevated due to a large number of untested or asymptomatic individuals.
Coronavirus in Oregon
On Friday, February 28, Oregon officials announced the first case of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Oregon. Governor Kate Brown held a press conference on Friday to inform residents that an individual in Lake Oswego had contracted the virus without any known risk factors (such as travel to or from China, or contact with an individual under monitoring). Following the announcement, the Lake Oswego School District made the decision to close Forest Hills Elementary and Lake Oswego Elementary schools to limit spread within the community.
What Should You Do?
As of March 3, 2020, all schools in Portland Public Schools remain open for students and teachers. The CDC notes that while the disease will continue to show community spread in the U.S. and more cases of the novel coronavirus are expected, the current risk for average Americans remains low. At this time, the Oregon Health Authority advises that Oregon citizens take the following precautions:
- Handwashing: Wash your hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds. Make sure to clean the areas that are most often missed in handwashing: between your fingers, thumbs, wrists, and near your fingernails.
- Hand Sanitizer: When washing your hands is not possible, use an alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol content.
- Cover and Distance: Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, and keep a distance of three to six feet from those who are coughing or sneezing.
- Stay Home When Sick: The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) asks that every person who exhibits symptoms of sickness—coughing, runny nose, stiff neck, fever, vomiting or diarrhea—remain in their home and away from schools and other public areas. Symptoms of the novel coronavirus should be reported to the OHA.
- Face Masks: In a tweet on Saturday, the United States’ Surgeon General Jerome Adams said, “Seriously people- STOP BUYING MASKS!” The CDC does not recommend the use of surgical face masks or N95s to prevent contracting COVID-19. Surgical face masks or N95s should only be worn if you are advised to do so by a healthcare professional or if you are showing symptoms or have COVID-19. Adams’ tweet continued, “if healthcare providers can’t get them to care for sick patients, it puts them and our communities at risk!”
- Other Prevention: Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
What are Schools in Portland Doing?
Central Catholic: Central Catholic has sent out two emails regarding COVID-19. The first was sent prior to Oregon’s first confirmed case, advising all students to stay home if they demonstrate any cold symptoms. There will also be increased sanitation efforts throughout the school. Following the first reported case of COVID-19 in Oregon, a second email was sent out on Sunday, March 1. On Wednesday, March 4, Central Catholic will be holding a Professional Development Day for faculty to determine an emergency plan as students work from home. Should Central Catholic close due to a Coronavirus outbreak, Digital Learning Day Protocol will be enacted for all students to work from home.
Jesuit/St. Mary’s: Both schools have sent messages to students and families detailing plans for deep cleaning the schools. St. Mary’s Academy in Southwest Portland began classes late on Monday, March 2, informing students that the school was undergoing a “rigorous cleaning” in which “every desk in the school will be disinfected as well as door handles, sinks, and tables.”
Portland Public Schools: The district has sent out two emails regarding COVID-19. The first was sent before the first case in Oregon was confirmed. According to the email sent on February 29, custodial crews will “focus on and increase the frequency of disinfecting high-touch surfaces such as door knobs, desks, and sinks, as part of increased and enhanced daily cleaning practices.” PPS also has connections to other organizations for deep cleaning purposes in the event that COVID-19 is found in a school. PPS has not released any future plans at this time.
Portland State University: The downtown Portland university has banned all “official travel for all faculty, students and staff to South Korea, Italy and Iran, in addition to the existing ban on PSU travel to mainland China.”
Reed College: The college in Southeast Portland formed a COVID-19 task force to “implement recommendations made by government and public health agencies” regarding the novel coronavirus.
Other Important Things to Remember
As COVID-19 spreads, so are incidences of xenophobia against Asian Americans, dubbed “coronaracism” on social media. In an email sent over the weekend, PPS says, “Fear of the outbreak has fueled xenophobic remarks and behaviors in the weeks since the first case of coronavirus. It is important to distinguish medical precautions from racist and discriminatory behaviors.”
As an editorial board, we want to emphasize the importance of treating all individuals with respect and kindness, especially during this difficult time.
Resources for More Information
OHA: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/pages/index.aspx
CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
WHO: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
