The safety and well-being of our students and staff are a top priority in Judson ISD.  We ask our parents and guardians to partner with us to best ensure the health and safety of our students and staff by continuing to monitor their children’s health. Students and staff who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness are recommended to stay home. They should not come to work or school with a fever of 100 degrees or higher using an oral thermometer. They should not have any signs of a fever, or any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g. cough suppressants). By doing this, it will minimize the exposure and potential spread of illnesses to students and staff.

Getting vaccinated prevents severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. Unvaccinated people should get vaccinated and continue masking until they are fully vaccinated. CDC has guidance for fully vaccinated people.

Another way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed. Below are everyday preventative actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash your hands with soap and water if they are visibly dirty.

The CDC's criteria for people considered to be at higher risk includes older adults and people with serious chronic medical conditions.

The World Health Organization declared a pandemic on Wednesday, March 11 2020. A pandemic is declared when a new disease that people do not have immunity to spreads around the globe beyond expectations. This is different from an epidemic, which is used to describe an outbreak that has grown out of control yet is limited to just one country or location.