Indiana Swine Flu Closing Hits Washington Township Elementary School

Just minutes ago, the phone rang. A recorded voice informed me that Springmill School, located a short distance from our home, was being closed until May 11 due to a newly detected case of the Swine Flu virus (also known as the H1N1 Infection).

A look at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ revealed that Indiana now has a total of 3 laboratory confirmed cases of Swine Flu. But somehow that phone call made it all seem so much more real and I admit I felt more than a bit of concern.

Swine flu, Indiana School Closings and the Economy

In these turbulent economic times, it was impossible not to think about what working parents would do with their kids until May 11, when the Swine Flu scare might be over (hopefully). With the economy in turmoil, I wondered: who would watch the kids while their parents were at work?

I know Springmill School is an elementary school. I certainly wouldn't want to leave a very young child at home all day. How many other parents would find themselves in a bind? Since those with this virus are urged by the CDC to stay home from work or school, it seemed doubtful that day care centers would welcome a child from a school that had been closed - and, in fact, that may be the case if CDC guidelines are followed, as noted below

Indiana Swine flu Update, School closings Mirror Those Across the Country

In the course of a day, with one simple phone call, parents had to face the fact that their children would be home for 10 days. Maybe that was why I saw a woman stocking up on bottled water and pantry staples at the local Target.

Maybe that is also why a man at the pharmacy told me he'd convinced his doctor to double his prescriptions, to tide his family over for an extra month. Maybe that is why people literally flinch or wince when they hear someone cough or sneeze. Could Swine Flu fears also be the reason why some parents hustle their children out of rooms where a number of people are displaying symptoms that may be no more than allergies - also common in Indiana at this time of year?

Indiana Swine Flu Closings - Panic or Common Sense

At of May 1, there were a total of 141 confirmed cases of H1N1 Flu Infection, as noted at the CDC. Only 5 other states have more confirmed cases than Indiana, with New York leading the ranks with 50 laboratory confirmed Swine Flu cases.

According to the latest Update on School Dismissal and Childcare Facilities,also found at the CDC website www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/K12_dismissal.htm, children are very vulnerable to this virus and the disease. Even so the information found at the CDC site does not indicate HOW effective school closings will be in preventing the spread of the disease.

Updates for Swine Flu School Closing Policy

Decisions regarding school dismissal must include local and State public health officials and reflect the numbers of H1N1 diseased individuals in the community. Schools childcare facilities are urged to consult with their local or State health departments. So Springmill School officials in Indiana are simply following the rules.

Once school closes, children are not supposed to gather in large numbers outside the school and families are urged to network to provide supervision and care for the same group of children, limited to numbers of five or less. This could be quite a challenge for some families.

Swine Flu and School Closings in the Rest of the Country

California, Texas and South Carolina have far more cases of the H1N1 infection than Indiana. There is one confirmed death and most cases have been mild. Even so, Indiana officials aren't taking chances. In addition to school closings, the Indiana Department of Corrections is suspending visits to inmates, including juvenile offenders, although officials will be revisiting the policy decision weekly. I called the Indiana Department of Correction to confirm that this policy would be in effect for at least 7 days.

So is it time to stock up on bottled water, stay home and avoid shopping malls and movie theaters? Should I keep my son from gathering with his friends, even though his school hasn't had a case of Swine Flu yet (but is located near the school which did)?

I don't intend to stay inside but then...I'm going to be keeping a sharp eye on the news, too...and considering possible options if my son's school closes.

Sources: personal experience

Indiana Department of Correction Central Office (per phone call)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ (update as of May 1