COVID-19: School Staff Training 101 - 2021-22 Brookfield Public Schools Health Services

2021-22
COVID-19: School Staff
    Training 101

     Brookfield Public Schools
             Health Services
         Beth O’Connor, BSN, RN

Novel Coronavirus
● The novel coronavirus is a
  new coronavirus (SARS-
  CoV-2) that had not
  previously been identified
● Infection with this virus
  causes the illness
  coronavirus disease 2019,
  now referred to as COVID-
  19.

HOW THE VIRUS IS SPREAD
   COVID-19 is spread in three main ways:

    ● Breathing in air when close to an infected person who is
      exhaling small droplets and particles that contain the virus.
    ● Having these small droplets and particles that contain virus
      land on the eyes, nose, or mouth, especially through splashes
      and sprays like a cough or sneeze.
    ● Touching eyes, nose, or mouth with hands that have the virus
      on them.

   Anyone infected with COVID-19 can spread it, even if they do NOT
   have symptoms.

The Delta Variant

       ● It is more contagious
       ● Some data suggest the Delta variant
         might cause more severe illness than
         previous strains in unvaccinated persons
       ● The greatest risk of transmission is among
         unvaccinated people
       ● Fully vaccinated people with Delta variant
         breakthrough infections can spread the
         virus to others. However, vaccinated
         people appear to be infectious for a
         shorter period.

SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19
COVID-19 has a wide range of symptoms. Symptoms may be mild (or
even no symptoms) or cause severe illness. Symptoms appear 2-14
days after exposure to the virus.

    ● Fever or chills                ● NEW loss of taste or smell
    ● Cough                          ● Sore throat
    ● Shortness of breath or         ● Congestion or runny nose
      difficulty breathing           ● Nausea or vomiting
    ● Fatigue                        ● Diarrhea
    ● Muscle or body aches          *This list is continually being
    ● Headache                      updated by the CDC and does
                                    not include all possible
                                    symptoms

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS
● Get vaccinated
● Wash your hands often
● Avoid close contact (< 6 feet)
● Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face mask or
  disposable mask when indoors
● Cover your cough and sneezes
● Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes
● Monitor your health daily
● Clean high touch surfaces daily
● STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK

HAND WASHING

● Wash your hands often with
  soap and water for at least
  20 seconds. Wash all
  surfaces including between
  fingers, under fingernails
  and wrists.
● If soap and water are not
  available, use hand
  sanitizer that contains at
  least 60% alcohol. Cover
  all surfaces and rub hands
  together until dry

                                *This video does not contain audio/sound

AVOID CLOSE CONTACT
● Stay 6 feet from people that
  are not your household
  members

WEAR A MASK
● A mask is meant to protect other people    YES
  in case you are infected
● It needs to cover your mouth and nose
● The mask is NOT a substitute for social
  distancing
● Masks should not be placed on children
  less than 2 years old, or anyone
  unconscious, incapacitated, has trouble
  breathing or is unable to remove the
  mask without assistance.
                                            NO

Yes!

       Um, no!

BASIC CARE OF YOUR
CLOTH FACE COVERING

● Wash your mask after every use
  and remove it if it becomes
  soiled
● Wash in warm/hot water and hot
  dryer or air dry in the sun
● Do not spray your mask with
  disinfectants or harsh chemicals
● Discard your mask if it is
  damaged

Do NOT use these types of face masks:

 ● A knitted or crocheted face mask. It is
   not made of tightly woven fabric.
 ● A face mask with a valve. The
   expiration valve allows unfiltered air
   and droplets to be expelled through the
   valve.
 ● One layer fabric gaiter masks. Material
   is not thick enough.

*Tip: If you can blow out a candle while
wearing your mask- the fabric is not thick
enough to prevent respiratory droplets from
getting through.

Some staff will need to wear more
than a cloth face covering in certain
situations.
 ● If a student is not wearing a cloth
    face covering and social distancing
    cannot be maintained, increased
    protective equipment is needed.
 ● In the isolation room when
    monitoring students awaiting pick
    up, increased protective equipment
    is needed.

Increased protective equipment may include:
 ● A face shield- this can be cleaned and disinfected
   and used multiple times until damaged
 ● A surgical/medical-grade mask
 ● A disposable gown
 ● Disposable gloves

COVER YOUR COUGHS
AND SNEEZES
● Always cover your mouth
  and nose with a tissue or the
  inside of your elbow.
● Throw your tissues in the
  trash can
● Do not spit
● Wash your hands with soap
  and water or use hand
  sanitizer

AVOID TOUCHING YOUR MOUTH, NOSE AND EYES

CLEAN AND DISINFECT SURFACES
  The virus that causes COVID-19 can land on
  surfaces. It’s possible for people to become
  infected if they touch those surfaces and then
  touch their nose, mouth, or eyes. In most
  situations, the risk of infection from touching a
  surface is low.
● Routine daily cleaning with soap/detergent and
  water
● Regularly wash hands or use hand sanitizer
● Disinfection is used in certain areas (ie nurse’s
  office, bathrooms, isolation room, or where there
  is increased risk of infection)

MONITOR YOUR HEALTH
DAILY
● Be alert for symptoms
● Follow the CDC’s guidance if
  symptoms develop and
  contact your medical
  provider.
● Notify your school nurse if
  you are diagnosed with
  COVID-19 or have had
  close contact with someone
  diagnosed with COVID-19.       ● Close contact is defined by the
                                   CDC as any individual within 6
                                   feet for at least 15 minutes.

STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK!
STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK!
STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK!

Emotional Health:
During this time of COVID-19 it is natural to feel
stress, anxiety and worry. Everyone reacts differently
to stressful situations.

Take charge of your emotional health:
 ● Take care of your body
 ● Maintain healthy relationships
 ● Take breaks
 ● Stay informed
 ● Avoid too much exposure to the news media
 ● Seek help when needed                                  Brookfield Employee Assistance
                                                          Program:
CDC: Taking care of your emotional health:                Toll free: 866-342-6892
          https://emergency.cdc.gov/coping/selfcare.asp   https://www.liveandworkwell.com/?
                                                          pin=Brookfield

A FINAL REMINDER:

PLEASE COMPLETE THE STAFF TRAINING
VERIFICATION FORM!

RESOURCES:

Centers For Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV

Ct Department of Public Health www.ct.gov/coronavirus

CT Department of Education CT Reopening https://portal.ct.gov/SDE/COVID19/COVID-19-
Resources-for-Families-and-Educators