10/15/2020
Mecosta County Youth & Family Center Covid-19 Plan:
So far, data suggests that children under the age of 18 years represent about 8.5% of reported cases, with relatively few deaths compared to other age groups and usually mild disease. However, cases of critical illness have been reported. As with adults, pre-existing medical conditions have been suggested as a risk factor for severe disease and intensive care admission in children.
Further studies are underway to assess the risk of infection in children and to better understand transmission in this age group.
The role of children in transmission is not yet fully understood. To date, few outbreaks involving children or schools have been reported. However, the small number of outbreaks reported among teaching or associated staff to date suggests that spread of COVID-19 within educational settings may be limited.
As children generally have milder illness and fewer symptoms, cases may sometimes go unnoticed. Importantly, early data from studies suggest that infection rates among teenagers may be higher than in younger children.
Considering that many countries are starting to slowly lift restrictions on activities, the longer-term effects of keeping schools open on community transmission are yet to be evaluated. Some modelling studies suggest that school re-opening might have a small effect on wider transmission in the community, but this is not well understood. Further studies are underway on the role of children in transmission in and outside of educational settings. WHO is collaborating with scientists around the world to develop protocols that countries can use to study COVID-19 transmission in educational institutions.
Whether a child should go to Youth Center depends on their health condition, the current transmission of COVID-19 within their community, and the protective measures the school and community have in place to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. While current evidence suggests that the risk of severe disease for children is lower overall than for adults, special precautions can be taken to minimize the risk of infection among children, and the benefits of returning to school should also be considered.
Current evidence suggests that people with underlying conditions such as chronic respiratory illness including asthma (moderate-to-severe), obesity, diabetes or cancer, are at higher risk of developing severe disease and death than people without other health conditions. This also appears to be the case for children, but more information is still needed.
Pre- Opening Covid-19 Processes and Procedures
(in accordance with the CDC, MIOSHA and the Dept of Health # 10)
1.) Have a cleaning company come in to thoroughly clean Youth Center. Have Youth Center cleaning staff there to observe the processes and ask questions of the professional staff. Establish a cleaning schedule for each week
2.) Have the HVAC system checked and cleaned by a professional company.
3.) Re-arrange tables and chairs to insure adequate social distancing in all areas
4.) Purchase adequate amount of face masks, disposable gloves, thermometers, hand sanitizer, cleaning products (Per CDC approved cleaners) and UVC Lights. Show staff where these supplies will be kept.
5.) Purchase material and build partitions
6.) Set up meeting with Board Members to walk through the prepared facility prior to re-opening explaining what procedures are in place, and answer any of their questions.
7.) Establish an area at the Youth Center where anyone with a fever or feels ill can be isolated from the others until they are able to go home. Inform staff and volunteers of the location. Set up a tracking spreadsheet.
8.) Do not use drinking fountains. Instead, seek donated water from Ice Mountain and make sure the kids know where it will be for their use. Store additional bottled water and let staff know where it is located.
9.) Any snacks or food brought into the Youth Center should be completely sealed. The use of the UVC light over the food will inure no Virus transmission. No food will be cooked at the Youth Center.
10.) Establish a daily cleaning process and explain to all volunteers and staff on the premise for any given day.
Procedures for the Day to Day Operations at Mecosta Youth & Family Center-
1.) Enter Youth Center with mask on
2.) Get Back Pack and belongings run through the UV Light
3.) Sign in at the door
4.) Get Temperature Taken
5.) Ask each person if they are feeling ok and if they have had any symptoms in the last 24 hours.
6.) Students will then enter get their individual sealed snack and a bottle of water
7.) They will then sit in their partitioned area eat and clean the spot
8.) Students will remain with mask on the entire time there in our building unless the are eating or working in the specific assigned spot.
We Care about the Children in our community and will continue to maintain these standards to keep everyone safe and healthy!
We will also work diligently to change and update our policies and procedures as the State requires.
