MORGANTOWN — Gov. Jim Justice announced all schools in the state will close after classes end on Friday. “I’m closing the schools. That’s all there is to it.”
He weighed various factors and conflicting advice he said, but based his decision on concerns about spread of the coronavirus, once it arrives in the state. “The probability is just too high. That is a breeding ground, we know that.”
The kids could take COVID-19 back to their parents and grandparents, he said. Also, many teachers are elderly and it would be wrong to put them at risk. It would be unwise to not close them, see dozens of elderly succumb and then ask, “Why did you wait?”
“There’s a down side t this but it is the right thing in my mind to do,” he said.
As of Friday afternoon, the state had tested 21 cases; 17 were negative, four were pending.Justice didn’t commit to a certain time period for the closure. “We’ll close the schools as long as we have to close the schools. … We’ve got a monster that’s looming but the monster’s not here. Every single one of us believes that the monster is coming to some degree.”
The state will be able to handle the monster because it’s been preparing, he said. “There’s no way this monster is going to get us but let’s be smart.” Don’t panic or be afraid.
One issue that weighed against closing, he said, is how to feed and care for them. And they’ve been preparing for that. “We’ve got the weekend to get everything in place to take care of those kids.”
Superintendent of Schools Clayton Burch said they’ve been preparing for weeks. Every county board has an action plan and they will be ready to serve the children ongoing through the closure.
He didn’t get deep into specifics, but talked generally about feeding the kids. Schools will be arranging for deliveries or drive-through type pickups as Kentucky is doing. They’ll be doing some partnering with food banks. And they’ll be taking measures for kids who rely on after-school networks for dinners or snacks.
Also, adults will be on hand for distance learning, and they’ve increased the number of counselors, social workers and school nurses, Burch said.
Burch also didn’t go into specifics about the potential to waive any requirements for 180 days of schooling or any federal requirements for standardized testing. They already know the plan, he said, but now the priority is health and safety. And the U.S. Department of Education told him not to worry about testing during the crisis.
Adjutant General James Hoyer said that National Guard will also be assisting to support communities, as it did during the 2016 flood.
Restaurants respond
Anticipating the school closures, Bartini Prime owner Justin Byers posted on Bartini’s Facebook page early Friday that it will be offering free boxed lunches for any child in need from 11 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays. He noted they wouldn’t be able to deliver, but hoped some local delivery services might pitch in.
By Friday afternoon, the post had 59 comments and 2,100 shares.
Byers said in a phone interview that other restaurants and come aboard and hundreds of people have volunteered to deliver lunches. The restaurants planned to meet at Pantry Plus More headquarters on Saturday to discuss logistics.
One obstacle, Byers said, is that the schools can’t release the names of kids in need, so the restaurants are asking people to sign up. A landing page will be posted on Saturday where people can click on a link to sign up.
“I think if all the restaurants come together it’s really going to help,” he said.
In a follow-up post, Byers said, “The amount of response and community action is amazing.” Among those joining in were Crab Shack Caribba, Tropics, Mountain State Brewing Co., DubVEatz delivery service, Scorers Sports Bar & Restaurant.
WVU update
WVU Talent & Culture posted this Friday afternoon: “In light of the announcement made today by Gov. Jim Justice closing all K-12 schools indefinitely, coupled with WVU beginning spring break, WVU is directing all supervisors to allow employees to flex their schedules or start working from home when possible to accommodate the school closures.
“As WVU continues to be concerned about the safety and well-being of our campus community, WVU will provide additional information to supervisors by end of day Monday, March 16, to allow as many employees as possible to telework to further reduce community spread of the COVID-19 virus.”
Manchin comment
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., issued a statement regarding Justice’s decision.
“The decision by Gov. Justice to close West Virginia schools due to the coronavirus outbreak was the most prudent decision based on the advice we have received from public health experts, including the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Dr. Anthony Fauci. They have made it clear that the most effective way we can mitigate the spread is to minimize large gatherings and social contact for the immediate future,” Manchin said.
“I remain concerned about the safety and well-being of the more than 10,500 homeless and all at-risk students in West Virginia. I am working with state and local officials to ensure there are plans in place to provide the necessary resources to these students.
“The safety and well-being of every West Virginian must remain our top priority and we all share the responsibility to prevent the spread of this virus and exercise responsible choices, including social distancing, frequently washing your hands with soap and water, wiping down surfaces with products that contain at least 60 percent alcohol, avoiding crowded places, canceling nonessential domestic and international travel and staying home if you are feeling under the weather.”
Manchin said that on Thursday night, following his request, the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved West Virginia’s waiver application to provide meals to students during this outbreak. This approval allows West Virginia to be reimbursed for the meals provided.
More on coronavirus
The discussion expanded from schools to general preparedness for the coronavirus to hit here; at the moment, West Virginia is still one of three stats without a confirmed case.
Department of Health and Human Resources Secretary Bill Crouch said West Virginia is lower risk than most state, largely because it has less international travel. People who fly into the local airports from overseas travel have already been screened at their points of entry.
Justice said people are asking if the state’s hospitals are prepared to handle an outbreak.
Cathy Slemp, state Health Officer and commissioner of the Bureau for Public Health, answered the question. “It all depends on what level of disease we see … and how our public handles it.” If people elect not to stay at home and recover, but flood doctors’ offices and emergency rooms, it decreases the ability to handle it.
Crouch said it’s important for families to have plans for their parents and grandparents to stay away from crowds during the crisis. It may be wise and necessary to do their shopping for them, for example.
West Virginia University posted this update Friday afternoon: “In light of the announcement made today by Gov. Jim Justice closing all K-12 schools indefinitely, coupled with WVU beginning spring break, WVU is directing all supervisors to allow employees to flex their schedules or start working from home when possible to accommodate the school closures.
“As WVU continues to be concerned about the safety and well-being of our campus community, WVU will provide additional information to supervisors by end of day Monday, March 16, to allow as many employees as possible to telework to further reduce community spread of the COVID-19 virus.”
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