The coronavirus pandemic is having far-reaching effects on American lives, affecting everything from the stock market to large-scale sporting and entertainment events.
Education leaders, both local, state and university level, are also starting to take precautions to help prevent the spread of what is also called COVID-19.
The Sunflower County Consolidated School District released a statement on Thursday, detailing plans for the next few days in light of the fact that hundreds of students will be returning to school after spring break.
Currently, the statement said, there are no plans for school closures.
“In speaking to the Mississippi Department of Education’s Office of Healthy Schools, the message was the same. At this time, there is no recommendation of school closures,” the statement read in part. “However, we know that there have been students and staff who traveled during the Spring Break. Nearly every state in the US has pending cases, and that causes concern for those who traveled and those who will be exposed to those who traveled. We reached out to the local health care agencies, including local clinics and health departments, and they shared that they are only testing individuals who exhibit symptoms of the Coronavirus, to include fever, cough and fatigue, AND have been outside of the country.”
SCCSD leaders did say the district is taking “every precaution” when it comes to preventing the spread of the virus in the local schools.
“But if your children have been to a state that has active cases and they are experiencing symptoms, please keep them at home,” the statement read. “Also, parents have the right to keep their children at home if they do not feel comfortable sending them to school at this time.”
Meanwhile, the state’s public universities announced today plans for extending spring break an extra week in order for instructors to prepare to teach classes remotely.
Classes will resume March 23, a statement from Dr. Alfred Rankins Jr., commissioner of higher education in the state said.
"The health and safety of our students, faculty and staff are paramount," said Rankins. "Our universities are modifying the schedules for the spring semester out of an abundance of caution."
The eight public universities affected are Alcorn State University, Delta State University, Jackson State University, Mississippi State University, Mississippi University for Women, Mississippi Valley State University, the University of Mississippi and the University of Southern Mississippi.
"The situation remains fluid and university plans are subject to change in response to new information and recommendations received," said Rankins. "We continue to work with the Mississippi Coronavirus (COVID-19) Preparedness and Response Planning Steering Committee and the Mississippi State Department of Health as we develop our plans for the coming weeks and months. Our goal is to mitigate the risks posed by the coronavirus while maintaining the quality and integrity of our instructional programs."
Students are encouraged to stay at home to participate in their classes remotely.
Students enrolled in professional and graduate programs will be notified of any exceptions to meet clinical and other requirements, the statement said.
