On Friday, March 13, Marin County officials suspended public school classes until further notice in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.
The county’s press release is available below:
“To further mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Marin County, Marin County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Marin County Office of Education (MCOE) announced that all public school campuses will suspend classroom instruction to students for at least two weeks beginning March 16.
The decision is based on the recommendation of Marin County Public Health and is fully supported by the Marin County Superintendent of Schools.
“The landscape related to the COVID-19 virus is rapidly changing, especially in the Bay Area,” said Dr. Matt Willis, Marin County Public Health Officer. “This is one part of a series of steps we’re taking to support social distancing, to better protect the community at large.”
This step is following a series of policies for social distancing in response to COVID-19, including limiting large gatherings and tightening visitation protocols at nursing homes.
“Marin has a large population of seniors, an important reason why we need to be proactive,” Willis said. “These are key steps we can take to weather this together.”
MCOE is working with local districts, schools, and community organizations to meet the needs of students who rely on schools for subsidized meals, special care and other resources. Families will receive information from respective schools related to those needs and opportunities for students to continue learning from home.
“Recognizing the challenges that a school closure poses for many families in our community, we are making this decision with a heavy heart but for the greater good,” said Mary Jane Burke, Marin County Superintendent of Schools. “Our priority is always the safety and well-being of our students. For the past month, our schools have received constant guidance from Public Health officials and remained aligned with their professional opinions. Given this unprecedented situation around the globe, we are acting in step with Marin County Public Health and out of concern for all members of our community.”
The best way for the public to further stop the spread of germs in our community is to practice the following steps:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing;
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available;
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or crook of your elbow (not your hands). If you use a tissue, throw it away and wash your hands afterward;
- Avoid touching your face;
- Stay home from work or school if you have a fever or are feeling sick;
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe;
- Keep your distance from others and avoid close contact with people who are sick;
- Avoid crowded places and limit activities in public;
- Consider “touch-free” greeting alternatives to handshakes and hugs
- Avoid unnecessary travel;
- Get your flu shot to protect against flu.
Visit the official Marin County Coronavirus webpage (MarinHHS.org/coronavirus) to review answers to frequently asked questions or subscribe to receive email updates. In addition, individuals can contact Marin HHS with non-medical COVID-19 questions by calling a dedicated information call center at 415-473-7191 or by email.”
