WHO Guidence For Schools March 10 2020
Reviewed the WHO Timeline summary to find factual keystones of WHO recommendations. March 10 2020 the WHO issued a news release and Guidance: Key Messages and Actions for COVID-19 Prevention and Control in Schools.
"Guidance includes practical actions and checklists for administrators, teachers, parents and children"
https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/10-03-2020-covid-19-ifrc-unicef-and-who-issue-guidance-to-protect-children-and-support-safe-school-operations
10 March 2020 Joint News Release
GENEVA/NEW YORK - The International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC), UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) today issued new guidance to help protect children and schools from transmission of the COVID-19 virus. The guidance provides critical considerations and practical checklists to keep schools safe. It also advises national and local authorities on how to adapt and implement emergency plans for educational facilities.
In the event of school closures, the guidance includes recommendations to mitigate against the possible negative impacts on children’s learning and wellbeing. This means having solid plans in place to ensure the continuity of learning, including remote learning options such as online education strategies and radio broadcasts of academic content, and access to essential services for all children. These plans should also include necessary steps for the eventual safe reopening of schools.
Where schools remain open, and to make sure that children and their families remain protected and informed, the guidance calls for:
Providing children with information about how to protect themselves;
Promoting best handwashing and hygiene practices and providing hygiene supplies;
Cleaning and disinfecting school buildings, especially water and sanitation facilities; and
Increasing airflow and ventilation.
The guidance, while specific to countries that have already confirmed the transmission of COVID-19, is still relevant in all other contexts. Education can encourage students to become advocates for disease prevention and control at home, in school, and in their community by talking to others about how to prevent the spread of viruses. Maintaining safe school operations or reopening schools after a closure, requires many considerations, but if done well, can promote public health.
For example, safe school guidelines implemented in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone during the outbreak of Ebola virus disease from 2014 to 2016 helped prevent school-based transmissions of the virus.
UNICEF is urging schools – whether open or helping students through remote learning – to provide students with holistic support. Schools should provide children with vital information on handwashing and other measures to protect themselves and their families; facilitate mental health support; and help to prevent stigma and discrimination by encouraging students to be kind to each other and avoid stereotypes when talking about the virus.
The new guidance also offers helpful tips and checklists for parents and caregivers, as well as children and students themselves. These actions include:
Monitoring children’s health and keeping them home from school if they are ill;
Encouraging children to ask questions and express their concerns; and
Coughing or sneezing into a tissue or your elbow and avoid touching your face, eyes, mouth and nose.
13 page pdf prepared by Lisa Bender UNICEF NYC
https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/key-messages-and-actions-for-covid-19-prevention-and-control-in-schools-march-2020.pdf?sfvrsn=baf81d52_4
CONTENTS
I. FACTS ABOUT COVID-19
• COVID-19
• Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs)
II. INTRODUCTION
III. SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS, TEACHERS AND STAFF
• Key Messages & Actions
• Checklist
IV. PARENTS/CAREGIVERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS
• Key Messages & Actions
• Checklist
V. STUDENTS AND CHILDREN
• Checklist
• Age-specific health education
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Preschool
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Primary School
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Lower Secondary School
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Upper Secondary School
(continued in pdf link)
So on March 10 2020, World Health Organization issude a press release and bulletin to minimize the spread of covid-19 in school environments.
Social Distancing was only now being expanded beyond those exhibiting flu symptoms.
There was no recommendation for school shutdowns; schooling was encouraged to continue.
Anon's questions:
Will the media or politicians such as Schiff investigate why the World Health Organization on March 10 did not take a more aggressive action to protect the children?
Or will the media say the WHO guidance of March 10 is President Trump's fault?