With the measure the superintentente is empowered to close schools if necessary; UCLA suspends classes in person
LAUSD serves more than 730,000 students. / photo: Archive
Photo:
Aurelia Ventura / Impremedia / La Opinion
The Los Angeles Unified School District Board (LAUSD) voted to declare a state of emergency because of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) after registering 19 cases in Los Angeles County.
Hours earlier, Rector Gene Block of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) announced the suspension of classes in person, even when there are no confirmed cases.
“After a detailed and thorough discussion, consult with experts, plans and preparations, we have decided to carry out the following changes to limit the spread of COVID-19 from March 11 the transition to online classes is made until April 10 when the second week of the spring term ends, ”he said.
“Final exams will be offered remotely. Instructors have been asked to communicate with students what the exams will be like and if possible, they will be offered without meeting in person, ”he added.
UCLA intends to cancel the meetings of more than 100 people who are not urgent until April 10. However, lThe campus, housing, hospitals, clinics and research laboratories remain open.
On the other hand, according to a statement issued by the LAUSD, this action will allow the release of resources, facilitate coordination with other agencies and provide greater flexibility to respond to any possibility of any case of this disease.
LAUSD is the second largest public school district in the country with more than 600,000 students in more than 1,000 schools in kindergarten through 12th grade.
The LAUSD Board announced that the situation has not changed. There are 19 cases in the county, and so far there is no connection between individuals with the virus and district schools.
As a preventive measure, LAUSD has asked all schools and staff to cancel all trips sponsored by the out-of-state district.
The decision was made, they said, on the grounds that health authorities have warned them that travel increases risks and it is prudent to limit them.
Meanwhile, they announced that additional cleaning resources have been provided in schools to encourage frequent hand washing and other hygienic practices.
Nurse Irene Tang of McAllister High School recommended avoiding close contact with sick people; wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds; if you cough or sneeze, use a disposable towel and throw it away; if you don't have a towel or kleenex, use the inside of the elbow; clean the surfaces and objects they use most; Do not return to school if you are sick and stay home. Nor do they go to school or work until their temperature is below 100 degrees for at least 24 hours.
Parents, who have any questions, are advised to call 213-443-1300.
The only other district that has closed schools is the Elk Grove Unified School District, the largest in Northern California. This after a student at Maeola R. Beitzel Elementary School tested positive for the virus.
The schools in this school district are closed to 64,000 students from March 7 to 13. In order not to miss classes, this closure is considered an advance of the spring break vacations.
