Parade brings joy for teachers and students separated by the coronavirus
For the students at Saluda River Academy for the Arts, it has been a long two weeks away from their school and their teachers. The same can be said for the teachers, who dearly miss their students.
To help alleviate that uncomfort during the coronavirus pandemic, teachers at from the West Columbia academy held a parade on Wednesday from the safety of their vehicles, driving through the neighborhoods near the school. They honked their horns, waved and shouted words of encouragement, all the while practicing social distancing.
The teachers were giddy as they taped signs and decorations to their cars for the first “Honk for Bobcat Unity in the Community Parade.”
Armed with a megaphone, Principal Jim LeBlanc lead the parade, waving to small groups of students and their parents who had gathered in their yards in the West Columbia neighborhoods around the school.
“Hey Bobcats, we miss you guys,” he said to the crowd.
The parade was a special excursion for Brianca McGuire and her children, 8-year-old Jaison Rose and 5-year-old Zariya McGuire, who, like most families, have been cooped up in their homes for days. During the parade, the kids waved enthusiastically from the car. Jaison stuck his head out the sunroof
“I was so glad to see the teachers come through and show the love for the children,” said the children’s grandmother, April McGuire. “Even though we are in the crisis like we are, that’s love. That lets you know they care about their job. That’s a passion.
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MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
The coronavirus is spreading in the United States. Officials are urging people to take precautions to avoid getting sick, and to avoid spreading the disease if they do contract it.
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What is coronavirus?
Coronavirus is an infection of the respiratory system similar to the flu. Coronaviruses are a class of viruses that regularly cause illnesses among adults and children, but this outbreak has spawned a new disease called COVID-19, a particularly harsh respiratory condition that can lead to death.
Health officials believe COVID-19 spread from animals to humans somewhere in China. It spreads among humans by physical person-to-person contact, including via coughs. That’s why health officials urge sick individuals to avoid contact with other people.
For more information, visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Symptoms are similar to the flu and include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
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If you develop symptoms similar to the coronavirus, you should seek medical attention. Stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others. It can take up to 14 days after coming into contact with the virus to develop symptoms.
COVID-19 is a new condition and there’s much about the disease we still don’t understand. For now, taking precautions is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus.