Coronavirus Facts & Information

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a virus identified as the cause of a global outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China. On January 21, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Washington State Department of Health announced the first case of the virus in the United States in Washington State. 

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that usually cause mild respiratory illnesses such as the common cold. Some coronaviruses have caused more severe illness, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). COVID-19 is a disease caused by a new coronavirus that was not identified in humans before December 2019.

COVID-19 is not connected with race, ethnicity, or nationality. 

For childcare facilities that remain open during this difficult time, it is crucial that we take the necessary steps to prevent the spreading of the coronavirus. With the outbreak there are a few things we will be doing differently. 

• Exclude children, staff, parents and guardians from sites if they are showing symptoms of COVID-19, have been in contact with someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days, or are at high risk due to underlying health conditions
• Practicing social distancing
  • Reduce group sizes to no larger than 10 people total, including children and adults.
• Health Screening at entry
  • Take the temperature and check symptoms for staff and children upon entry each day
• Increasing the frequency with which we clean toys, equipment, and surfaces, especially door knobs, check-in counters, and restrooms. 

• Wash your hands often with soap and water (20 seconds). Especially after eating and after coming into contact with others. Use an alcohol-based sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available. 
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home while you are sick and keep children home when they are sick as well and avoid close contact with others 
• Cover your mouth/nose with tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. 

Concern over this new virus can make children and families anxious. While we don't know where and to what extent the disease may spread here in the United States, we do know that it is contagious, that the severity of illness can vary from individual to individual, and that there are steps we can take to prevent the spread of infection. Acknowledging some level of concern, without panicking, is appropriate and can result in taking actions that reduce the risk of illness. Helping children cope with anxiety requires providing accurate prevention information and facts without causing alarm. 

• Remain calm and reassuring 
  • Children will react to an follow your verbal and nonverbal reactions
  • What you say and do about COVID-19, current prevention efforts, and related events can either increase or decrease your children’s anxiety. 
  • Remind them that you and the adults at their school are there to keep them safe and healthy 
• Make yourself available 
  • Children may need extra attention from you and may want to talk about their concerns, fears, and questions. 
  • It is important that they know they have someone who will listen to them; make time for them. 
• Be honest and accurate 
  • In the absence of factual information, children often imagine situations far worse than reality. 
  • Don’t ignore their concerns, but rather explain that at the present moment very few people in this country are sick with COVID-19 
• Monitor television viewing and social media
  • Speak to your child about how many stories about COVID-19 on the internet may be based on rumors and inaccurate information.
  • Engage your child in games or other interesting activities instead.