School nurses prepare for possible COVID-19 cases on school grounds

LAMAR COUNTY, Ala. (WCBI)- The role of school nurses will be vital this year as some students head back to the classroom during the pandemic.

Nurses are known to treat injuries and illnesses. Now, they’re dealing with COVID-19 symptoms among students.

With only a few weeks until the start of classes, nurses are preparing guidelines for teachers and parents.

“We’ve got scheduled to go across the county and talk to all our teachers and talk to them about finding symptoms of COVID-19. We’re also telling them when they need to send students to us,” said nurse Mashella Crowley.

Crowley is the head nurse for Lamar County School District. She, along with four other nurses, has developed a plan to ensure health and wellness on school grounds.

“Once school gets started, we want to try to educate the kids on good hand washing, wearing your mask, and staying six feet apart,” said Crowley.

But oftentimes, those tips are overlooked.

If symptoms are displayed, she’s asking teachers to send students based on low to high severity.

“We’re having to divide our rooms up and do isolation areas where we have a good side and we have a sick side. If a child comes in with 102 fever, we’re going to put them on the sick side and let them stay in a screen divided area. Nobody will know who they are until a parent comes and picks them up,” said Crowley.

It’s suggested sick students stay off campus until they’re clear of symptoms.

“Right now, we’ve got the best possible plan out there. Is it bulletproof? No. None of them are. We don’t know how many different scenarios are to this thing that we could face once we get back into school. In the meantime, we are confident in our plan and we know we’re going to face difficulties. We’re doing that now,” said Lamar County Superintendent Vance Herron.

Herron says this plan isn’t concrete, but it’s the safest way for students to return.

“Everybody is a little apprehensive and everybody is a little worried with good reason. In the meantime, we are going to be okay and we’re going to make it through these trying times,” said Herron.

“The district has done good about making sure our kids are safe and having a nurse in each school,” said Crowley.

All faculty and staff members are having mandatory Covid-19 training leading up to the start of school.