Teachers’ march on SC State House postponed due to coronavirus
Do you have questions about the coronavirus? The State will get the answers for you. Go to bit.ly/SCvirus and let us know what you need to know.
The teachers’ group SC for Ed has called off a planned March 24 march on the State House due to concerns about the spread of coronavirus in South Carolina.
The group announced the “All Out” march would be postponed late Thursday after consultations with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
“This decision was not made lightly, as we are very proud of the advocacy efforts South Carolina teachers have demonstrated over the last several months,” SC for Ed said in a statement on social media.
“While we are committed to advocacy on behalf of our profession, the number one concern is the health and well-being of the students we teach,” the statement continued.
The march will be rescheduled “once the public threat has passed.” Instead, the teachers’ group is asking members to contact their senator and “demand an increase of at least $100 to the base student cost” and to ask representatives to hold a hearing on the Senate education bill.
The group had asked teachers to leave the classroom and march on the State House in opposition to the bill which passed the Senate last week, which SC for Ed says doesn’t go far enough to address their concerns. A similar march last year drew 10,000 teachers to the State House, and at least one school district had already canceled classes so teachers could attend this year.
The cancellation is the latest in a string of events that have been called off due to concerns about the spread of the virus. South Carolina has identified 12 positive or suspected cases of COVID-19 in the past week.
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 March 13, 2020 at 8:26 AM.
.jpg)