Dear Members of the US Community,
I am writing to update you on our situation at School. Many of you have contacted us directly during the day, some to communicate your appreciation, some to inquire further and make suggestions. We have endeavored to respond to each and every one of you in order to be as communicative as possible.
We began the day by reassuring the boys at the Upper School assembly that health experts continue to reassure us that they perceive no threat of Ebola in our school community. We then shared the same message at a Middle School assembly later in the morning, and we issued talking points to Lower School faculty in the event that our youngest boys had questions.
Out of an abundance of caution, we are redoubling our efforts to maintain a clean and hygienic environment throughout the school. Because of our long experience with seasonal flu, we have hand sanitizer available throughout the building, and we have delivered disinfectant wipes throughout as well. Our custodians understand the necessity of carefully cleaning surfaces on a daily basis.
It has also come to my attention recently that the houseguest, who had been on the Friday flight to Cleveland, did briefly attend last Saturday’s football game at Hunting Valley. We have confirmed that the individual spent no more than ten minutes at the game, spoke briefly to one person, and then left the area. We have consulted with medical professionals on this matter specifically, who felt this presented absolutely no risk.
Finally, our school nurses participated on a conference call with the Ohio Department of Health today, which included experts on infectious diseases. In the discussion, which validated our response to this situation, the panelists discussed what they termed “an exposure to an exposure,” or in other words, our employee who hosted a passenger who had been on the plane from Dallas. The medical authorities stated in no uncertain terms that such an individual has no need to be quarantined. They emphasized that an individual further removed (“exposure to an exposure to an exposure”) is of no concern whatsoever. This assessment reinforces our confidence: an individual in our community who is a step beyond this -- such as a student who may have spent time with the employee’s child, or a brief encounter at a football game -- is also no cause for concern whatsoever.
I continue to welcome your questions and concerns if any arise (
smurray@us.edu).