Swine Flu Closures Inevitable For Schools

Wednesday, August 05 2009

This school year will be a lot different than others in the past. Schools are preparing for what very well may  be a horrible flu season. As for principals and teachers, they will have the fair-minded responsibility to decide when their schools should be closed. 

Preventing the spread of the deadly swine flu virus will be a challenge, and balancing that with the potential for causing massive disruptions for families and students won't make it any easier to manage.

So a crucial question is "how do you continue teaching the students who are healthy if you have to close the school?"

To help schools prepare for the upcoming season, the government plans to release guidelines to help school districts manage possible closings. While federal officials can give instruction, they know decisions need to be made regionally. Schools nurses also need to take an active role along with our county public health departments.

John Barry, author of "The Great Influenza," said guidance from the government makes sense. "Keeping kids at home for days at a time, much less weeks, is almost impossible," he said. "When you add to that the burden imposed on working parents, and getting meals to poor students who depend on school for them, only in extreme circumstances does closing schools make sense."

About The Author -

Lisa Macfarlane is a professional health writer and editor who specializes in sexual health and health issues.