As you likely are aware, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to closely monitor an outbreak of a respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus known as COVID-19. This virus was first detected in China, and continues to expand in various locations throughout the world, including cities in the United States. It is important to note that the CDC has shared that currently the health risk to the general public from coronavirus is considered low.
The health and well-being of our members is our utmost priority. In an effort to support you, our staff, and our communities, we have been in contact with our local health department and area hospitals, and will continue to monitor updates from the CDC and local, state and federal health departments in the coming weeks and months.
In the event this virus becomes a significant threat to our YMCA community, we will follow protocols put into place by the CDC and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). At this time, the best way to protect against coronavirus is by taking the same daily precautions one would follow to avoid getting sick.
Here are some simple things that you can do to keep yourself and your family safe and healthy:
The 3 C’s
- Clean: Please wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Cover: Please cover your mouth with a tissue or your sleeve if you cough or sneeze.
- Contain: If your child is sick, please keep him/her home until he/she is free of a fever and other symptoms for at least 24 hours without the use of symptom-reducing medicines. Please follow normal absence reporting procedures to notify your child’s program site if they will not be in attendance.
With the recent increase in media coverage about the coronavirus, some children may be asking questions and sharing concerns about COVID-19. These tips may provide a helpful starting point for discussions with your family. We have also included some additional resources below:
ADDITIONAL COVID-19 RESOURCES
Illinois Department of Public Health: http://www.dph.illinois.gov/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/
World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/
At the Y, we believe in the power of community, and the importance of neighbors helping neighbors. In challenging times, we have the opportunity to work together to make our community stronger. We will continue to monitor and share further updates in the event that new information directly impacts our YMCA community.
