LA Community Health Update, September 28, 2020
From: Head of School Dan Scheibe, Dr. Melinda Raboin, and the LA Leadership Team As we settle into our routine, heading towards the end of our first month of this very unusual school year, we are establishing a weekly health update to keep the community informed regarding overall community health and the status of our operations, habits, and expectations. The update will be delivered in the consistent format that follows: Campus Guidance - We are encouraged by the execution we have seen, the care members of the community have put into maintaining community health through the agreements we have in place, and the results of all of these efforts.
- Compliance with mask wearing in particular has been strong nearly without exception; still, we acknowledge the critical nature of rigorous and universal application of these and other standards and practice.
- As we anticipate the return to afternoon activities and our residential program, the continuity between on campus and off campus behaviors will only increase in importance. You can expect regular reminders of this expectation.
Health Indicators and Updates - Use of the "mobohubb app" daily health check has been robust and immensely helpful in monitoring overall community health and assuring vigilance. The information from these checks enables follow up on any areas of concern.
- Our follow-up when any health concern emerges through any form of reporting includes medically-advised testing (applying a standard inclined towards testing even with minimal concern). Follow-up also includes isolation/quarantine for those engaging in activities on campus until tests are returned. These protocols apply to travel-related concerns as well.
- Thus far, all of the tests we have conducted, based on both symptoms and travel, have returned negative results. All members of the community who were isolated while these tests were pending have returned to campus activities.
Looking Ahead - We are encouraged by these early patterns and results, but we are also realistic that at some point of the year, we will have a positive case on campus. Preparedness and response will be the important elements when a case emerges, and we will emphasize the need for stable, empathetic approaches when the time comes.
- We have prepared communication templates already in advance so that we can inform the community of status and steps regarding any positive case in a timely way. We reinforce here the practice and expectation that no personal information or identification will be included in these communications.
- With boarders returning beginning this weekend, it is essential that we use all the resources we have to enhance community health as much as possible. Working with the daily health checks, communicating even the least concern, and accessing testing as a means of assuring health and vigilance will all be crucial elements to sustain healthy individuals, community, and approach.
Beyond LA We want to make sure local and regional data are available to families regularly. Massachusetts has benefited from strong management in maintaining low positivity rates. As an indicator, steady trend-lines with positivity rates below 1% (of all tests given) represent a favorable set of community health conditions in our current circumstances. You can find MA state data, as well as guidelines, below: |