COVID-19 Information

Please be advised: Masks continue to be required at TESG for the 2022-2023 school year

For previously disseminated information on Covid-19, see below.

Strong Schools NC

What is Coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that include the common cold. COVID-19 is a new form of the virus that originated in China and has since spread to communities around the world, including North Carolina.

What are the symptoms?

You can help stop COVID-19 by knowing the signs and symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath, AND having been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or live in or have recently traveled from an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19. Call ahead before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room. Tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.

How does COVID-19 spread?

COVID-19 is a new disease and all the avenues of how it spreads are not completely understood.  What we do know is the virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person. In other words, between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) and through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

What can I do to help stop the spread?

The CDC encourages the following:

• If you are ill, stay home from work or school.
• If you are ill, cover your cough/sneeze with flexed elbow or disposable tissue, and wash your hands immediately after.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. When hand washing is not an option, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects in your home and car, including touch screens.
• Follow all guidelines put out by the CDC and your local health authorities.

What is “social distancing”?

Please remember that closing schools and limiting large gatherings are only part of this social distancing effort. To really stop the spread of COVID-19, doctors and health officials recommend limiting playdates and public playground or play place visits. Please see the following resources for more information about social distancing and flattening the curve. We can all do our part!

• https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/14/health/coronavirus-kids-social-distancing-wellness/index.html
• https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/coronavirus-social-distancing-and-self-quarantine

Things are getting difficult for folks and I need help/want to help. What can I do?

Employment and Financial Needs

• If you need to apply for unemployment during the COVID-19 outbreak, the Governor’s most recent executive order includes changes to make that process faster and easier. Click here for details.

• If you have financial needs or wish to donate to help others, the United Way of Greater Greensboro has set up a COVID-19 Relief Fund. Click here for details.

Food 

• TESG has partnered with BackPack Beginnings to provide food for our families.  Food pick up is every other week.  

• GCS is also feeding any child age 0-18 at specific locations throughout the county. Their director of Child Nutrition encouraged us to make sure our families were aware of this opportunity, as well. Please find more information here

• If you need additional food, Second Harvest Food Bank and Greensboro Urban Ministries are still operating, though schedules and protocols may be modified. 

• If you would like to help, Second Harvest Food Bank is currently conducting a virtual food drive. Click here for more information.

How can I access health and mental health care?

If you have questions about testing you should contact your primary care provider.

• For information about Cone Health’s COVID-19 response, click here.

• For the NC DHHS hotline, call 1-866-462-3821

• Mental Health Greensboro is continuing to offer services remotely. Visit https://www.mhag.org/ for more information about the free mental health services available.

Where can I learn more?

• The World Health Organization’s Coronavirus website https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
• The CDC’s Coronavirus website  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html 
• The CDC’s Coronavirus and Children webpage: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/children-faq.html
• Guilford County DHHS https://www.guilfordcountync.gov/our-county/human-services/health-department/emergency-preparedness.
• NCDHHS is running a hotline. Call 1-866-462-3821 for more information about COVID-19
• US State Department travel alert website https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/
• The CDC’s Coronavirus Map https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-in-us.html 

What can I say to my child?

• Healthline has published How to Talk to Your Kids About the Coronavirus. 
• Psychology Today has published How to Talk to Your Anxious Child About the Coronavirus.

In their recent communications about coronavirus, UNCG included the following statement, which we also wanted to share with our community:

It is understandable to feel uncertain or anxious when information is changing rapidly. When we feel uncertain and anxious, we are more vulnerable to allowing assumptions, stereotypes, and soundbites to influence our decision-making. Please remember to be thoughtful about the information sources you rely on and your assumptions about, and reactions to, others. Showing compassion, empathy, and respect for each other are critical to our community.