A word about coronavirus

Dear PIC Community,

With federal health officials warning of the potential spread of the coronavirus in the United States, I want to take this opportunity to share some of our proactive planning should infection situations arise in our area.

PIC will rely on guidance from local and federal health officials regarding any actions that should be taken. We are closely aligned with the Philadelphia School District and will hear from them immediately about any actions we need to take. We will also continue to monitor the CDC web site. 

Currently, the most important thing we hear from every organization is to follow best practices for the prevention of all infectious diseases.  These include:

• Always wash your hands and your child’s hands upon arrival to the classroom (for 20 seconds.)
• Frequently wash hands during the day with soap and water.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• As much as possible, avoid close contact with anyone who is sick. 
• Err on the side of caution and have your children remain home if they are not well.
• When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissues--throw tissue away immediately and wash your hands.
• Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces.
• If you have a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, seek medical care and share recent travel history with your healthcare provider.

Here are a few resources about the novel coronavirus to help you stay informed:

• CDC: Risk Assessment and Situation Summary
• What Parents Need to Know About Coronavirus
• Talking To Children about the Coronavirus
• Updates and FAQs from Penn

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out, and as always, thank you for entrusting your child in our care.

Deb Green
Executive Director