EDITORIAL: Closing schools necessary

Oct. 29, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- The decision Monday to shut down Traverse City and Kingsley schools for a week didn't just ripple through the community; it hit like a tsunami.

Virtually every family with a child in either district and in the dozens of other schools across the north shut down by the swine flu epidemic saw their lives turned upside-down.

Thousands of working parents found themselves scrambling to find someone to care for their child or children; thousands of others stepped up to care for a relative or neighbor's children. Families in which one or more children had the flu found their lives even more complicated.

No one can say if closing the schools actually slowed the spread of the flu, but there is no doubt that keeping kids in class was an invitation for a much wider outbreak.

The speed at which the flu raced through schools in the days before the decision to close the doors was amazing; last week, West Middle School was closed on Thursday and Friday; by Monday, nearly 1,000 of roughly 9,860 Traverse City Area Public Schools students were absent; in Kingsley, 310 of about 1,500 students were gone. Officials at some Traverse City schools said they were getting phone calls announcing another absence every 10 minutes. At some schools the absentee rate was 20 or even 30 percent.

Some Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District special education programs were canceled; Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools remained open but were carefully watching the situation. On Wednesday, the Benzie Central and Frankfort districts and the Career Tech program also closed.

Almost lost in the scramble to find day-care and keep one's job was the reality that lots and lots of children were sick with a nasty, long-lasting flu that could feature high fevers, a heavy cough, vomiting and other symptoms. Caring for a child that sick can be a nearly full-time job; dealing with more than one sick child is a real challenge. One can only imagine how many parents are in that boat right now. The YMCA and others stepped up their programs.

While their efforts seem to have been overtaken by the speed with which the flu spread, schools, the health department and Munson Medical Center had taken steps in preparation for the flu's arrival. Schools had planned inoculation clinics but large supplies of the swine flu vaccine had not arrived before the dam broke.

In Benzie County, school administrators installed new soap and paper-towel dispensers; hand sanitizers were installed throughout the Traverse City district. Clean-up crews have been cleaning classrooms.

Those who made the tough call to close schools -- and those who may yet face a similar decision -- will face criticism either way. But taking steps to avoid an even wider flu outbreak and possibly spare scores of children from getting the flu was a good choice, despite the very tough repercussions for so many.

People who are suspected to have the H1N1 influenza strain known as swine flu often will have a fever and chills, body aches, a cough, runny nose and sore throat.

Patients can treat themselves at home by resting, drinking fluids and taking over-the-counter medications, including Tylenol. Antiviral medications are available, but local physicians said they typically only alleviate symptoms within the first 48 hours.

Children who experience a change in breathing or skin color, severe or persistent vomiting, irritability, returning or worsening symptoms or loss of alertness should contact a medical professional.

Adults should do the same if they notice shortness of breath, chest or abdomen discomfort, dizziness or confusion, severe or persistent vomiting or returning or worsening symptoms.

Source: Munson Medical Center

Newstex ID: KRTB-0393-39283007