LEARNING LESSONS: While many details about COVID-19 are still unknown, we as a society can educate ourselves and make well thought out decisions for children, our families and ourselves in keeping us healthy and safe

COVID-19 NOTES FOR SCHOOL YEAR 2020

BY LAURA GEORGE, EMDL

Gym shoes. Lunch bags. Folders. Doctor appointments. Meet the teachers. All phrases related to the fall season. It's that time of year again when parents find themselves moving very quickly to get their children ready for school. Except this year it is different. This year has us adding new terms, new conditions, new supplies, and new emotions. For parents of children who will be or are attending school this fall of 2020, we are learning new terms such as COVID-19, masks, sanitizer, social distancing, and addressing new questions for school. So let class begin!

If you are a person with a disability, Social Security wants you to work. However, they also know that you may, honestly, not know whether, or to what extent you can be successful at work until you try; that it requires time and unusual expenditures for you to go to work, that you cannot afford to lose your safety net if your work cannot take you to the point of self-sufficiency and that, even if your work does enable you to get by without your Social Security cash benefits, you may need to keep Medicare and Medicaid to maintain your health, and the support services needed for both work and for daily life.

First, we will briefly recap the financial eligibility criteria. In order to meet the Social Security definition of "having a disability," the SSA must agree that you are incapable at the time of application of performing Substantial Gainful Activity. For 2020, this means that you cannot earn more than $1,260/month. In addition, SSI recipients must not have more than $2,000 of assets held directly in their own names.

COVID-19

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the term COVID-19 is actually known also as the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 and also as Corona Virus Disease 2019. The CDC further states that, "Corona means crown and is used to describe the shape of the virus itself."1 Coronaviruses are not new and commonly occur in people and animals. But this version is brand new and according to the CDC, "The exact source of the virus is unknown." Through various messages and simple searches on the Internet, several medically based entities have discussed how the virus can affect us by being shared from one person to another via water droplets expelled and entering another person's nose, eye or mouth. It will act like a cold, except that it has an ability to inflame the lungs making it extremely difficult to breath. As further noted by the CDC the more compromised or weakened your health is by one or more conditions, the more concern should be had for overall health and safety".2

MASKS

According to the article, "Masks Save Lives," by Dr. Francis Collins, Director of the National Institute of Health, it states that even a "crude cloth covering" could significantly reduce the spread of the virus and reduce the deaths that come from it." The article further states that even if the mask was less than perfect, it could reduce the amount of infection or symptoms that a person might contract even if affected by COVID-19.3 Dr. Lisa Maragakis of Johns Hopkins University writes in her article that the mask, "Should cover your face from the bridge of your nose to under chin; be loose yet secure enough to stay in place and nonirritating so that you don't limit its effectiveness."4 These should be worn anytime you are out in public, in gatherings of ten or more or especially around children or the elderly who have serious medical concerns.

The pre-made masks can be purchased at just about any store in a variety of styles, fabrics and purposes. Some are merely rectangular in shape, have a piece of bendable wire positioned at the nose to help the mask stay on the face, or have been created to look like fun animal noses with ears at the sides. Then there are bandanas, neck gaiters (a circular piece of fabric sitting around the neck that is pulled up over the nose), KN95 for filtering out fumes, and transparent masks revealing the mouth and a variety of unique masks designed to fit a variety of specific needs. Safe' N'Clear ( safenclear.com) is an FDA fog resistant clear window mask that is being sold to the medical community to help aid in the communication to Deaf/Hard of Hearing community. For those who want to wear a mask while eating, in Israel, a remote control mask has been designed to accommodate those who want to eat out.5

The CDC understands that there some instances in which a mask cannot be worn. According to their website, "Children younger than 2, those who have trouble breathing and those who are unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask themselves, should not be wearing a mask." This may be also be difficult for those with developmental disabilities or those with sensory issues.6 However, Harvard Health Publishing of Harvard Medical School has a great article by Dr. Thom and Ms. Turner on, "Helping People with Autism Spectrum Manage Masks and COVID-19", that should prove to be very helpful to anyone looking for more information on that topic.7

SANITIZER

Hand sanitizer is sometimes used in place of washing hands. However, during this time of COVID-19 it is recommended especially when one is outside of the home as an extra layer of protection to help keep the germs away. In the home washing hands is important but sanitizer is helpful. Outside the home it is easier to have access to sanitizer but washing hands beforehand is supportive. Sanitizer helps to keep the germs away and comes in a variety of liquids forms. Many stores will limit the amount that can be bought, so it may take several trips to get what your child needs for school. If they can use the school's version, then it will not be important to purchase a lot of sanitizer. However, if your child has sensory issues, then it will be important to find out what they like to gain their participation in using the sanitizer. If the child has allergies, then it will be very important to read the label to ensure its safety. If you need more detailed information about the ingredients in hand sanitizer or which ones are not safe, the US Food and Drug Administration has two items, "Q&A for Consumers: Hand Sanitizers and COVID-19," and another, "FDA Updates on Hand Sanitizers Consumers Should Not Use," that very detailed and helpful.8, 9

SOCIAL DISTANCING

Repeatedly throughout the day, televisions, radios and other forms of communication will remind us of the six-foot distancing rule and depending on which community you live in the allowable number of people to be gathered in a group at one time. What has not been discussed is how caregivers, children who are deaf/hard of hearing, children who are deaf and blind, or those with developmental delays can still have their communication and emotional needs met. For caregivers, it obvious to intensely follow all the abovementioned protocols, yet also be taking their temperature daily to help protect the person being cared for. For children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, wearing a clear face mask and taking advantage of mobile communications (such as video chats, EyeHear, Eye-D,

Zoom, What's App, etc.) may be beneficial. The Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults notes that there are many different types of communication that can be used during COVID-19. Their blog page on "COVID-19 Communication Guidelines," offers many different types of communication methods that can be used, tools for working with service providers and even offers downloadable cards and sheets for addressing COVID-19 symptoms. (They are also available in Spanish.)10

Besides all of those questions, it is also important to plan for unusual medical situations. In my case, my child is attending school in person. Recently she was diagnosed with a rare allergy called Colophony, and she cannot use an EPI-pen for her reactions. Her medication is completely nonstandard. Working with her teachers and administrative staff I have emailed sheets explaining her situation, her symptoms, her reactions and the items involved. In turn the school created a protocol plan just for her. I am pleased to say that only a day ago we narrowed her reaction time down to 10 minutes from two hours in a four-week time span of implementing the plan. Do not be afraid to share your concerns. Make all the players involved into a team. Be confident that you the parent are making the most well informed and thoughtful decisions for your child and their wellbeing during this time of COVID-19.

While many details about COVID-19 are still unknown, we as a society can educate ourselves and make well thought out decisions for children, our families and ourselves in keeping us healthy and safe. Yes, this school year is different. But every time our child enters another grade, the school year is different. As parents of exceptional children, we should be happy because we know better than most parents how to advocate in this time that we wish was not different. While this fall season in the year 2020, seems entirely different because of COVID-19, I'd like to leave you with some wisdom given in song by Bobby McFerrin, "In every life we have some trouble; when you worry you make it double. Don't worry; be happy!"11•

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Laura George, EMDL is author of Emergency Preparedness Plan: A Workbook for Caregivers, People with Disabilities, the Elderly and Others. She is an Emergency Management Disability Liaison and sits on the National Center for Independent Living Emergency Preparedness Committee [ NCIL.org] as well as other national, state, and local committees. She has assisted in a variety of disasters spanning from Colorado to Florida and back. The last 14 years she has devoted her time to the idea that emergency design needs to include everyone. Her spare time, is spent with her daughter (PANS/Colophony) and dog, Turkey.

RESOURCES cont.

US DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES hhs.gov/coronavirus/index.html

*Don't forget! Your local health department will also be a good resource to go to.

References

1. "About COVID 19," US Department of Health and Human Services, accessed (2020, September 1). Retrieved September 7, 2020 from cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cdcresponse/about-COVID-19.html. Published by the US Department of Health and Human Services at USA.gov.

2. People With Certain Medical Conditions. (2020, August 14). Retrieved September 7, 2020 from cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html. Published by the US Department of Health and Human Services at USA.gov.

3. Collins, F. S., MD, PHD. (2020, August 24). Masks Save Lives. Retrieved September 7, 2020 from directorsblog.nih.gov/2020/08/25/masks-save-lives. Published by the National Institute of Health.

4. Maragakis, Lisa L., MD, MPH. Coronavirus Face Masks and Protection FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions. (2020, August 20). Retrieved September 7, 2020 from hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/coronavirus-face-masks-what-you-need-to-know. © 2020 The Johns Hopkins University, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Johns Hopkins Health System.

5. Coronavirus: Remote Controlled mask invented to Allow Eating. (2020, May 19). Retrieved September 7, 2020 from bbc.com/news/av/world-52728998. Published by BBC News. © 2020 BBC.

6. Your Health: Considerations for Wearing Masks. (2020, August 7). Retrieved September 10, 2020

NEW QUESTIONS FOR SCHOOLS

Beyond learning the terms, there are basic questions that you as a parent need to get answers to, address, and make your personal best decision for your child and your family. Here are some of the questions I had to address with my own child:

• Will school be open for face-to-face teaching or online only?

• If it is online, will the school provide computers if needed?

• If it is open for face-to-face teaching, will it be Monday through Friday, alternate dates or another option?

• What COVID-19 standard procedures are going to be put in place and what additional procedures will be used for your child with disabilities?

• Is wearing a mask mandatory for attending in person?

• Are specific mask types encouraged, allowed or not allowed?

• How will school desks, equipment, supplies and even the lunch line be subject to COVID-19 guidelines?

• When they are at their desk or at lunch, will there be social distancing?

• What procedures does the school have in place to identify children who come down with COVID-19 and keep them separate from those who don't have it?

• If your child is exposed to COVID-19, what are the quarantine procedures and will the school provide supplies when the children are sent home to enable them to keep up with the rest of the class?

• What needs to be added to the child's IEP or 504 in terms of accommodations?

• How will your child attend school? If by bus, what procedures will be established for keeping them safe?

• On the bus will the children be observing "social distancing" and required to wear masks as well as the bus driver?

• What will your child need to return to school after having COVID-19 or being exposed to it?

• If you as their parent are exposed or have COVID-19, what procedures have you set up to keep your child safe or if necessary looked after while addressing the virus?