Community Notice: New Protocol Regarding Use of Surgical Masks

We all are aware that during flu season, it makes sense that those who are ill should keep their distance from those who are well. At this point, we have been pleased with the level of cooperation the schools have received on this. It appears that staff and students who are ill have been staying home. However, sometimes a student falls ill during the school day. In such cases, the health professionals reminding us all that the school nurse’s offices continue to promote the good practice of keeping ill children at a distance away from healthy children who may need other forms of nurse’s services.

Therefore, our Darien Public School nurse’s have been very attentive to keeping children with flu-like symptoms at a healthy distance from well children. In some of our offices, we have more spacious accommodations that help to isolate children away from others, until taken home.

Now, the Federal Center for Disease Control and the Connecticut Department of Health have sent out an advisory that when nurse’s offices do not have a “distancing” spot available for ill children, the ill children should be issued a surgical mask to wear while waiting to be taken home.

This simple-to-implement practice has been endorsed also by our School District Medical Advisor and by our Darien Director of Health. In support of this new practice, the Connecticut Health Department has sent us a supply of surgical masks for this limited purpose.

Please note that these masks are not recommended as a general preventative measure for healthy children and staff. Also note that this new protocol for the use of masks is a common sense guideline. It should not be construed as a reason for anyone to become alarmed if they see a child wearing a mask in the nurse’s office.  Our intent is to invoke a good health practice. 

The cooperation and support of all will be appreciated.  

Darien Public Schools
203-656-7400