Texas postpones all competitions until May 11

Parent Cafe
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[The</a> Associated Press: Swine flu forces Texas HS officials to halt sports](<a href=“http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hd8jglwCIpudgjuC4q0vUCuRiwUwD97SAROO1]The”>http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hd8jglwCIpudgjuC4q0vUCuRiwUwD97SAROO1)</p>

<p>We were watching Lost tonight and a ticker came across the bottom informing people that a student at one of our high schools has a probable case of swine flu and the high school is closed until further notice.</p>

<p>I’m not scared because I know it can be easily treated. I do feel confused. On one hand I’m hearing things like “go about your day but be careful with handwatching.” On the other hand, postponing all competitions? Shutting down a high school until further notice?</p>

<p>I don’t know what to make of all of this. What’s going where you live?</p>

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<p>kate – I just posted about this on another thread, but the school with the confirmed case of swine flu in the Houston area is a teenager who lives in the next county but goes to a private high school less than 1/4 mile from my house! They closed the school for the rest of the week – not indefinitely. Apparently they’re going to disinfect it from top to bottom.</p>

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<p>That makes sense. I bet that’s what they’ll do here. S is taking his SAT on Saturday, I wonder if those will be allowed? I’m not complaining if they are, people are sick and that’s more important. More curious I guess.</p>

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<p>I posted about this, too. I think it’s good ol’ CYA. Probably an overreaction, but better safe than sorry if you’re Rick Perry or a political appointee. FW schools are closing, too.</p>

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<p>As great as it sounds, I doubt that will really stop much. As soon as any students step into that building, it’s contaminated again. Cleaning it once won’t solve the problem.</p>

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<p>How much does it cost to disinfect every surface of a school and how many minutes until they are all contaminated again?</p>

<p>DIsinfecting is smart after a flood or other emergency that puts contaminants onto surfaces that didn’t come from students.</p>

<p>It’s totally different than getting a school virus free and then allowing all the people back in. That part seems like just a waste of money and anti-viral wipes.</p>

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<p>Does the flu virus even live that long on surfaces? I think they just closed the schools because they figure lots of parents will keep their kids home anyway. Sounds like an overreaction to me.</p>

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<p>I do think they are overreacting, but I would rather they be criticized for overreacting than underreacting.</p>

<p>I think they’re damned if they do, damned if they don’t. At least this way they can say “we tried” if something very bad happens.</p>

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<p>So far, in HI, there have been no confirmed cases of the dreaded flu, so no closures to date. They are warning everyone to stock up on food so they can last for 2 weeks, just like for hurricane prep. They are also adivising folks to work out care arrangements for their kids & elders, in case places need to be closed. Personally, I also don’t see the value in closing and scrubbing schools. Closing does reduce congretating so slows transmission rates because folks can have more “personal space,” which is the main thing NOT the scrubbing. <sigh> I do understand CYA, but don’t think it serves the public or communities.</sigh></p>

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<p>I understand the CYA. I mean, really, what’s the alternative? Plus, hopefully, the kids who have already been exposed are at least not passing it on to the next set of kids.</p>

<p>What I don’t understand is why the WHO raised the threat level to five.</p>

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<p>This morning in class our Professor had to show us a slide show with information about how to protect yourself and others. Pretty basic stuff. </p>

<p>Today seems much calmer. Hopefully that trend will continue.</p>

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<p>My mom asked me this morning if my daughter’s college graduation would be called off. I was stunned. I guess it could happen, but I never thought about it until she said it.</p>

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<p>Just got a note from principal that all area SAT testing is on for this weekend but that centers will be taking precautions and will have nurses on hand!</p>

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<p>Nurses? In case anyone becomes terribly ill during the test? Because if it’s to screen the test takers, boy they better be careful before they exclude anyone!</p>

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<p>That’s what I’m thinking. Meanwhile, the list of closed centers in Texas is growing: [SAT</a> Test Center Closings](<a href=“College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools”>Check for Test Center Closings – SAT Suite | College Board)</p>

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<p>[statesman.com</a> | UIL regional track back on | Varsity News](<a href=“http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/varsitynews/entries/2009/04/30/uil_regional_tr.html]statesman.com”>http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/varsitynews/entries/2009/04/30/uil_regional_tr.html)</p>

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<p>I’m SO glad they rescheduled the track meet. The paper here interviewed the coach of this superstar runner who was coming back from a minor injury during districts. The coach told her NOT to try to win, cuz all she needed was top 2 for regionals, so she took 2nd. Then, when it was going to be cancelled, they were just taking the top finisher in each event. Oops. You could just feel how bad that coach felt reading his interview!</p>

<p>My son is also taking the SAT Saturday in Fort Bend ISD. Keeping my fingers crossed that it does happen! Maybe over the weekend the media hysteria will calm down. Thanks for that link. I’ll be checking tomorrow just in case.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the heads up on the SAT cancellations. That was the impetus I needed to sign my son up for the June 6 SAT, just in case they push Saturday’s kids to the next date.</p>