Coronavirus In RI: Schools Asked To Submit Online Learning Plans

PROVIDENCE, RI — As Rhode Island leaders takes steps to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus in the state, schools are taking steps to prepare for potential closures. Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green ordered all districts to submit plans for online learning by next week, in an effort to be prepared.

"I know all of you are thinking about what you can do to prepare your schools and your community for the potential closure of school. Let me be clear that such action is not yet warranted," Infante-Green wrote in a letter to school leaders.

Earlier this week, Governor Gina Raimondo echoed Infante-Green's message, saying state officials are not looking to close schools at this time.

Early data shows that COVID-19 does not affect children more than otherwise healthy adults, and most children diagnosed with the virus have mild symptoms.

Despite this, school districts need to be ready for possible closures, the commissioner said.

""Nonetheless, we all need to plan and be prepared," she said. "The paramount concern for all of us is safeguarding the health of our children, our teachers, and their families. The decision to close schools is never one that is taken lightly, but one for which we should all be prepared."

All school districts are required to submit a "closure plan" to the Department of Education by next Thursday, explaining how instruction would be handled during a long-term closure. The department will review the plans and offer feedback, and department officials are available to help school leaders develop them.

"We encourage districts to include ways for students to continue learning while at home," Infate-Green wrote, encoutraging districts to take advantage of other resources such as Khan Academy and NBC Learn to help supplement at-home learning.

At this time, the risk of contracting coronavirus remains low for most Rhode Islanders, Raimondo and health officials said this week, and the main focus is on aggressively containing the spread.

"We only have one chance to contain this," Raimondo said. "If we do this now, we'll all be better off in the long run."

The governor called for the cancellation of all events with 250 attendees or more for the next two weeks. Events at the Rhode Island Convention Center, Dunkin' Donuts Center, Providence Performing Arts Center and countless community organizations have been postponed or canceled.

As has been the message from the start, Rhode Islanders are urged to wash their hands frequently with warm water and soap or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Anyone who is feeling ill, even a little, is asked to stay home until they feel well. Elderly residents are asked to stay home as much as possible and avoid close contact with others in public. Other recommendations include:

• Wash hands frequently with warm water and soap or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Get a flu shot, and encourage those around you to do the same. While this will not help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, it is an effective tool to keep people with the flu from developing complications that require hospitalization.
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow rather than a hand or the air.
• Stay home from school or work if sick.
• Keep surfaces, especially bedside tables, bathrooms and children's toys clean by wiping them down with disinfectant.
• Get plenty of sleep, by physically active, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious foods to maintain good health.
• Avoid wearing a face mask unless instructed to do so by your healthcare provider. The CDC does not recommend that otherwise healthy people wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory viruses, including the new coronavirus.

If you have questions, reach out to the Rhode Island Department of Health by calling the COVID-19 hotline at 401-222-8022, or 211 after hours, emailing RIDOH.COVID19Questions@health.ri.gov or visiting the department's website.

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