School Pandemic Preparedness

Schools, which concentrate children and other groups into close proximity, will encourage spread of viruses like pandemic influenza. During the 1918 pandemic, Minnesota schools were closed several times, and teachers were asked to help with the pandemic. Schools were also closed in several locations during the SARS outbreak of 2003. Should schools close? What role do schools have in teaching proper hygiene? Who closes schools? Where do kids go then?

On this page:
Who can close schools in Minnesota?
School hygiene
School closure tabletop
Resources

Who can close schools in Minnesota?

In 1918, schools were closed several times. Teachers were asked to help with the pandemic; students were asked to stay home. Schools were also closed in some places during the SARS outbreak of 2003. Schools often experience outbreaks of seasonal influenza in Minnesota.

During the next pandemic, the Minnesota Department of Health might recommend school closures. The governor has the authority to declare a state of emergency, at which point he could close schools and other public gatherings.

School hygiene

One of the biggest concerns about public gatherings, including schools, is the spread of disease. Find out how to limit the spread of germs in your school.

• Handwashing Tool Kit
  Approximately 1/5 of the population attends or works in schools in Minnesota. Proper handwashing works to reduce illness in schools.
  
  
• Cover Your Cough
  Stop the spread of germs with the Cover Your Cough materials.

School closure tabletop

• Pandemic Influenza Tabletop Exercise: K-12 School Closure as a Disease Containment Measure
  Use these materials to create your own tabletop exercise to discuss pandemic preparedness with local government and schools.

Resources

• Challenges and Preparation - Schools
  Information for schools from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, including checklists for childcare and preschool, K-12 schools, as well as colleges and universities. Attention: Non-MDH link
  
  
• Preparing Schools for Pandemic Flu
  The Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction offers these resources to help schools plan for a pandemic. Attention: Non-MDH link
  
  
• Pandemic Flu School Action Kit
  Contra Costa Health Services in California produced these resources for schools planning for pandemic. Attention: Non-MDH link
  
  
• Pandemic Flu: Mitigation & Action Checklists #1- 4 (Word: 6 pages)
  Checklists on pandemic planning from Seattle/King County. Attention: Non-MDH link
  
  
• Schools, Childcare Providers, and Parents
  CDC information about stopping the spread of seasonal influenza in schools. Attention: Non-MDH link

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