S.C. will decide ‘by the end of the week’ whether to keep K-12 schools closed
South Carolina will decide sometime this week whether to keep K-12 schools closed because of coronavirus, a top official said.
S.C. Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman told WIS that “I can assure you, by the end of the week, that we will make an announcement and it will be done in the best interests of our students and our teachers and faculty.”
Spearman wouldn’t say what that decision would be, but told WIS the S.C. Department of Education surveyed superintendents from throughout the state and found “overwhelmingly, they said they don’t think it’s in our best interest to go back to school.”
Spearman cast doubt on the practicality of schools being able to socially distance in situations like riding the bus or in schools where enrollment stretches into the thousands, she told WIS.
S.C. Department of Education spokesman Ryan Brown confirmed that “we anticipate a decision and announcement regarding school operations from the Governor very soon,” but did not give a specific time frame.
“The health and well-being of South Carolina students, educators, and their families remains the highest priority for the South Carolina Department of Education and for our state’s leaders charged with navigating the COVID-19 pandemic,” Brown said in the statement.
As of Monday morning, K-12 schools remain closed through the end of the month.
BEHIND THE STORY
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.
Click the drop-down icon on this card for more on the virus and what you should do to keep yourself and those around you healthy.
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.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are similar to the flu and include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
How can I stop the spread of the coronavirus?
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
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.
This story was originally published April 20, 2020 at 12:13 PM.