Dear Y Families

We would like to share with you, our families, information that will continue to help keep your child healthy as well as other children and our staff at the YMCA, given the recent outbreak of the flu and other viruses. It is our common practice to follow proper handwashing procedures as well as sanitizing toys and common areas nightly. We will continue with these practices as well as follow appropriate guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control. Here are some helpful tips that you, as parents, can help support us in our effort to prevent the spread of illnesses.

• Make sure “everyone” washes their hands! Using soap and water and washing for 20 seconds (about as long as it takes you to sing the alphabet song) does the trick. Wash before meals and snacks, after being in public places and going to the bathroom, after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing, and after being around anyone who is or might be sick.
• Practice healthy habits, like eating a healthy diet, exercising, and getting enough sleep. This helps keep your immune system strong.
• Make sure everyone eligible to do so has received the flu vaccine. The flu is far more common in our area than the coronavirus and can be very dangerous too.
• Remember not to touch your mouths, eyes, or noses with hands unless you have just washed them. This is easier said than done—carry tissues for wiping mouths and noses, and throw out used tissues promptly.
• Teach children to be careful about the surfaces they touch when you are out in public. Little hands seem to instinctively reach for everything around them, so you’ll need to be creative. It’s not a bad idea to carry some wipes with you to wipe down seats, tables, and other such things in public areas before you use them.

If your child gets a fever and cough, this is what you should do: 

• Call your doctor’s office for advice specific to your child
• Inform your child’s daycare so they can post information to their families (your family will remain anonymous)
• Keep your child at home until he or she has been symptom-free for at least 24 hours without medication

Our staff will continue to follow the state licensing, National Association of Education for Young Children (NAEYC) regulations, American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations, and the Y’s Standard Operating Procedures when it comes to illnesses including documenting and reporting. Please remember if your child has to go home due to a reported illness, he or she must return with a doctor’s release (clear for at least 24 hours without symptoms and without medication).

Please visit this link to learn more about what the Y is doing, and what you can do, to prevent the spread of viruses like the flu and coronavirus:
https://www.ymcadc.org/stayinformed/

We want to thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

YMCA Staff

Note:  To all YMCA members that have traveled internationally this year, or have plans to travel internationally later this year, please visit this link for the latest on travel restrictions and requirements