Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a newly diagnosed respiratory illness. We have been closely monitoring guidance from the county, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of State and professional private school organizations to shape our response to the disease’s spread. On March 20, the Governor signed the “New York State on PAUSE” executive order, which signals that NY schools will now practice distance learning for the foreseeable future. On May 1, Andrew M. Cuomo announced that school buildings are to stay closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. Therefore, PDS-Home will remain in effect.

Letters to the Community About COVID-19

May 1 PDS Newsletter – A Word From Ben Chant

March 23 (Follow-Up) Letter from Ben Chant, Head of School

March 23 Letter from Ben Chant, Head of School

March 17 Letter from Ben Chant, Head of School

March 16 Letter from Ben Chant, Head of School

March 13 Letter from Ben Chant, Head of School

March 5 Letter from Ben Chant, Head of School

February 27 Letter from Ben Chant, Head of School

February 7 Letter from Maritza Sanchez, School Nurse

Prevention Information from the CDC

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus by staying home. The CDC recommends:

Everyone can do their part to help us respond to this emerging public health threat:
- CDC is recommending the use of a cloth face covering to keep people who are infected but do not have symptoms from spreading COVID-19 to others.
- The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
- The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Medical face masks are critical supplies that should be reserved for healthcare workers and other first responders, as recommended by CDC.
- The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.
- CDC continues to recommend that people try keep about 6 feet between themselves and others.
The White House “Slow the Spread” guidelinespdf iconexternal icon are in place until April 30. These are part of a nationwide effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 through the implementation of social distancing at all levels of society.
People 65 years and older and people with severe underlying medical conditions should take special precautions because they are at higher risk of developing serious COVID-19 illness.
If you are a healthcare provider, use your judgment to determine if a patient has signs and symptoms compatible with COVID-19 and whether the patient should be tested. CDC’s Criteria to Guide Evaluation and Laboratory Testing for COVID-19 provides priorities for testing patients with suspected COVID-19 infection.
People who get a fever or cough should consider whether they might have COVID-19, depending on where they live, their travel history or other exposures. All of the U.S. is seeing some level of community spread of COVID-19. Testing for COVID-19 may be accessed through medical providers or public health departments, but there is no treatment for this virus. Most people have mild illness and are able to recover at home without medical care.

For information about handwashing, see CDC’s Handwashing website.
For information specific to healthcare, see CDC’s Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings.
These are everyday habits that can help prevent the spread of several viruses. CDC does have specific guidance for travelers.