As the new coronavirus spreads and cases of COVID-19 are diagnosed, Read Aloud West Virginia volunteers should continue to monitor developments and make good choices daily about whether to attend their weekly read aloud appointments.
At this writing, no West Virginia cases have been detected. However, projections by health officials suggest that it is only a matter of time. We don’t want to alarm anyone unnecessarily, but it is better to be safe than sorry. To help keep our volunteers, our schools and our communities as healthy as possible, we recommend:
1. Volunteers in the at-risk group of people — those with compromised immune systems or pre-existing lung conditions — should plan to postpone in-person reading sessions until the danger is past. Please call or text teachers to let them know. For complete details on the virus, incubation periods, and at-risk groups, see the CDC’s web site, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html
2. People over age 50 are at greater risk from this virus, health officials say. Volunteers in that category should also consider their own health and conditions in their schools, and choose what is best to minimize the spread of infection. Any volunteer who is uncomfortable visiting schools or being around groups for any reason should simply call/text their teachers and postpone until further notice.
3. Readers who do choose to continue visiting schools should practice good anti-flu hygiene (frequent and thorough handwashing) before and after visits. The CDC has more details about that. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html. The CDC and virologists say soap and water is preferred, but hand sanitizer is a good choice when soap and water is unavailable.
4. Keep distance in classrooms as much as possible. The CDC recommends keeping about six feet between people to minimize the spread of any respiratory illness. Many classes are accustomed to gathering closely on a rug or in a reading corner. If possible, discuss ahead of time with your teacher how to keep healthy by coughing and sneezing into tissues (that get thrown away) and by washing hands often, by not hugging and touching volunteers when they come into class, and by sitting farther apart at reading time.
5. Of course, if local health officials give different advice as conditions develop, or if schools or other gatherings are closed, Read Aloud volunteers will follow their directions.
Thank you for making time each week for the children in your community, and for all the other unofficial and unrecognized contributions you make to their lives. Please stay safe and healthy.