It’s pretty obvious that the H1N1 virus – more ominously known as the “swine flu” – has been on the minds of many Decatur parents for the last couple weeks as their kids have headed back into the classroom.

This may sound like a generic opening line to a story, but it’s true.

Never before have I received so many unsolicited emails asking me to find out what specific policies Decatur’s school system will implement to mitigate the threat of the H1N1 virus.

And within 12 hours of inquiring, I received a response.  Associate Thomas Van Soelen supplied this list of actions and policies that CSD has put in place to help lower the risk of a flu outbreak.

We are engaging in the following:

1. Staying in close contact with the DeKalb County Board of Health and following their guidelines

2. Will follow the guidelines put out by the CDC on Friday for school exclusion. CDC recommends that people with flu like symptoms remain at home until at least 24 hours after they are fever free (100 degrees) or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.

3. We are offering information to parents about prevention methods such as thorough and frequent handwashing, covering mouth when coughing or sneezing, and staying home when sick in school newsletters. This will also be on the website.

4. We will be implementing additional routine cleaning for high touch areas like computer keyboards and auxiliary equipment, door handles, sink handles, etc.

5. We are putting up signage in schools reminding about prevention methods

6. We will be tracking influenza like illnesses and following up as necessary in each school

7. We (in conjunction with DeKalb Board of Health) will be offering seasonal flu vaccine at 2 school sites probably in October for students (with parental permission), and staff as we have done in the past. We have no definite information about the H1N1 vaccine as yet. We are watching just like everyone else.