Thoughts on Physical Distancing Good Afternoon Parents, Moments ago, I sent the below email to our Middle and Upper School students. I do wish for you to have this information as well, and ask parents of our youngest learners in grades 3 through 5 to share as appropriate. Be well, Matt Byrnes Head of School Over the next few days we'll be sharing more information about our plans for learning after Spring Break, but I thought I would be remiss if I did not take a moment to point out the seriousness of the crisis that is unfolding around us and how important a role we can play in helping to slow the spread of the virus. For those of you who want a deeper dive into data, read through this analysis. If you want the shorter story, look at this interactive graphic.
In three days time, the number of cases in CT has gone from 1 to 12. Using some of the predictive models in this analysis, that means that it is likely that at least 100 people are infected in CT, we just don't know who the rest are yet. Without mitigation, this number will continue to grow exponentially, which means that it could be in the hundreds in the next few days, then the thousands, etc. At present, the part of the mitigation effort that we control is "social distancing." I read something today that pointed out that we should really call it "physical distancing" because with technology and other means we can still be social without being in close proximity to each other. So, if we want to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, and keep ourselves safer, we need to be practicing physical distancing. How do we best do this?
I have found it helpful to think about it this way: Home should be your safe haven, where you don't have to worry so much about physical distancing. The reality is that it is nearly impossible to stay 6 feet apart at all times with multiple people in a house. If home is going to be a safe haven, however, everyone who is living in it must be practicing excellent physical distancing when they are outside the home, and doing everything possible to disinfect themselves and their belongings when they enter the home.
Before getting into the more practical advice, let's all admit that physical distancing is weird and awkward, particularly if you around people who don't seem to be aware that they should be practicing it too. When you think about the risks, though -- like if you shake hands, or let someone stand very close, or hug you, they might be passing the virus on to you -- and put them up against that momentary awkward moment, the choice is clear. EMBRACE THE AWKWARDNESS NOT THE PERSON! You can teach people too, so that they can change their own behaviors. It will all contribute to our societal effort to flatten the curve of infection, which is the most important thing right now.
So, over the next two weeks: - LEAVE HOME AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE!
- When you do leave home, do your best to keep a six foot distance between you and other people.
- If you have to touch things like doorknobs or countertops, try to pull your sleeve over your hand, or wear gloves (some scientists are saying that the novel coronavirus can live on some surfaces for 9 days….). Remember to disinfect/wash the sleeve or glove when you get home.
- DON'T TOUCH YOUR FACE!
- Did I mention: LEAVE HOME AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE!
- If you have disinfectant in the car, give your hands a shot before coming back into your safe haven.
- WASH YOUR HANDS EVERY TIME YOU COME HOME OR HAVE BEEN OUTSIDE, OR HAVE TOUCHED SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN OUTSIDE!
- REPEAT.
Other Suggestions: - Take two weeks off from any visits with friends. Seriously. You will survive (I'm not being ironic).
- Stop complaining. We are all in this together. Your parents don't like it either. They actually like you better when you can go to school every day.
- If you spend too much time on the internet or watching shows/movies, that is going to get boring too -- work in some books, projects, walking the dog, cooking, etc. This is a great time to try new things.
- Learn more about the pandemic, but don't obsess on it -- try only to worry about what you control.
- LEAVE HOME AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE!
That's it for now. Yes, this is all totally crazy, sad, and scary in lots of ways. But it is really happening and our best defense is to be smart and control the things that we can. Keep socializing from a distance and take care of each other, and your parents, and siblings.
All the best,
Mr. Byrnes Head of School Wooster School 91 Miry Brook Road, Danbury, Connecticut 06810 Main - 203-830-3900 | Admissions - 203-830-3916 |