COVID-19 Forces Closing, Cancellations, Rescheduling
People have been hoarding toilet paper. Above are the empty toilet paper shelves at Wal-Mart
In response to the national coronavirus outbreak, Jeff Davis County’s schools will be closed for two weeks, School Superintendent Chris Roppe announced last week.
“In the interest of student, staff, and public safety, all Jeff Davis County Schools will be closed starting on Monday, March 16th for staff and students until Friday, March 27th,” Roppe said in an official statement on the school system’s web site. “Events that have unfolded over the past 24 hours, including the President’s declaration of a State of Emergency, has led us to make this decision. While the district made every attempt to continue a sense of normalcy during a difficult time, our actions are made to hopefully minimize the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory illness that could affect our community. Our decision is in agreement with the recommendation from Governor Brian Kemp, State School Superintendent Richard Woods, and President Donald Trump.”
During the closing, schools will receive a thorough disinfection and cleaning.
All extra-curricular activities, field trips and school functions were cancelled, including the baseball, soccer, tennis and golf teams activities. The district will reevaluate the status of extracurricular activities this Friday.
School officials are working to develop a plan to give students assignments during the two weeks and to deliver meals to students.
Roppe suggested the community monitor news of COVID-19 through the Center for Disease Control at http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html
In addition to the shutdown of the schools and their activities, the Chamber of Commerce announced a number of cancelled or rescheduled events including this Saturday’s Annual Event, the Business and Industry Luncheon, Spring Fling Family Fun Day, and Census Complete County Committee meeting (see story elsewhere on the Chamber changes, curtailed funeral services and cancelation of church services).
