Mission, Texas- Hidalgo County officials held a news conference Thursday updating residents about the novel coronavirus or COVID-19. Mission Consolidated Independent School District (CISD) works in partnership with the Hidalgo County Health and Human Services Department on issues, such as, emerging threats to public health. Just like county officials, Mission CISD officials are in a heightened state of monitoring and preparedness regarding COVID-19.
“We know there is increasing concern regarding COVID-19,” explained Dr. Carol G. Perez, superintendent. “We want to reassure our families that we are doing everything possible to keep our schools safe places of learning and will continue to work closely with our area health officials. We have stepped up our disinfection routine and are updating our response plans as needed, based upon information from federal, state, and Hidalgo County officials.”
A part of the response includes a new initiative focusing on the key points health officials indicate are the best ways everyone can fight COVID-19 and a variety of other viruses and the flu. Mission CISD has started a campaign called: Be a Germ Genius, Outsmart the Virus. This effort will start by reminding students and parents about the main steps everyone can take to stay healthy, to include frequent and proper handwashing. Health officials say those items are: cover your cough or sneeze; regularly wash your hands with soap and water; keep hands away from your mouth, nose, and eyes; if you are sick and have a fever, stay home; and if you are sick, stay home until the fever is gone at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicine.
“It is also very important that if someone becomes ill and has a fever, that they see a doctor as soon as possible,” said Dr. Perez. “Treatments for many illnesses are most effective during the earliest stages of the illness.”
Dr. Perez reminds parents that Hidalgo County Health and Human Services officials said there are no cases of COVID-19 in our area at this time, however, the district is taking regular steps to keep the spread of any illnesses as low as possible. This includes the disinfection that occurs through the daily cleaning of schools, facilities and buses; and the regular use of special e-mist disinfection system.
District officials encourage parents to seek facts regarding COVID-19 through official sources and to not spread internet rumors. Two good sources of facts and information can be the Hidalgo County Health and Human Services Department, which has a special website devoted to the illness, https://www.hidalgocounty.us/coronavirusupdates. Another reliable source is the Centers for Disease Control website, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
Moving forward, the district will also continue to focus on sharing ways to stay healthy through information provided by these sources as a part of the “Be a Germ Genius, Outsmart the Virus” campaign via flyers, social media, and communication sent home.
# # #