Lexington Schools Statement On Coronavirus

LEXINGTON, MA — Lexington Public Schools Superintendent Julie Hackett sent a letter to the school community addressing concerns about the Coronavirus. The virus is not present in the schools and Hackett said the risk to Massachusetts residents is low, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

This past week, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, prompting the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary to declare that the coronavirus presents a Public Health Emergency in the United States.

There has been one confirmed case of the virus in Massachusetts.

Hackett said the Lexington Public Schools do not intend to impose a mandatory 14-day quarantine on any student who has recently traveled to China.

"The Massachusetts Department of Health (MDPH) and the Lexington Board of Health are the enforcement agencies for the state’s isolation and quarantine regulations and we take our lead from them," the letter read.

Hackett also addressed concerns that fears stemming from the virus may result in the exclusion of Chinese-Americans.

"We are grateful that Lexington is a community that values inclusion and recognizes that no group should be singled out or held responsible for this health concern," the letter reads, "As one resident put it, 'the virus does not discriminate, and we shouldn't either,' and I couldn't agree more."